Ashington AFC is pleased to announce the Matchday Entry prices for the 2024/25 season and offer early bird season tickets. We are pleased to confirm that both season ticket and turnstile matchday entry prices have been frozen.

Building on our commitment to accessibility and community engagement, we are pleased to introduce some exciting changes. From the new season onwards, up to two Under 16s will be permitted entry free of charge with a paying adult, fostering a family-friendly atmosphere at our matches. Furthermore, demonstrating our unwavering support for young supporters, we have reduced the season ticket price for Under 16s to just one pound per game. We can also advise that we will no longer be offering advanced discounts online for matches but will still recommend buying online to speed up entry to the stadium.

Here are the Matchday Entry Prices for the 2024/25 season:

£9.00 Adults

£5.00 Concessions (aged 65 and over and Students)

£3.00 Under 16s

Chairman Brian Shotton expressed his gratitude for the support received during the current ongoing season. “While the current season is nearing it’s end, I don’t think we can have too many complaints at how the club has performed in our first season at a higher level. It has been a tough learning curve on various fronts, but our amazing supporters have backed us in great numbers and where we have needed help financially. We are committed to improving our community links and fostering the enthusiasm from our young supporters which is reflected in our ticket pricing. As we see out 2023/24, we are already planning for 2024/25 and I am certain our supporters will back us once again”.

We are pleased to offer a three-instalment plan for purchasing season tickets, with payments taken in May, June, and July, providing greater flexibility for our loyal fans. Early Bird Season Ticket Pricing remains a fantastic opportunity for supporters to secure their place at a discounted rate, with savings of nearly a third on turnstile prices. These special prices will be available until the end of April:

Adult: £120.00

Concession (65 and over and Students): £65.00

Under 16s: £19.00

We look forward to welcoming both returning and new supporters to enjoy the atmosphere and affordable, local football. Together, let’s make history once again as we continue to strengthen the bonds between the club and our community.

Season Tickets are available to purchase HERE

Ashington AFC is pleased to announce a new addition to our management team, aimed at providing more support for our dedicated volunteers. Nicola Sanders-Cooper will be joining Ashington FC’s expanding board, bringing her expertise to drive the club forward into its next strategic phase as we near the conclusion of our first season in the Northern Premier League East.

Nicola brings a wealth of experience, currently holding director-level positions in key local businesses, and boasting a background in sports, including her role as Women’s Sports Development Officer at Gateshead Council. She has facilitated businesses in securing funding through government-backed schemes and brings a diverse approach, with additional experience in the hospitality sector.

When asked about her involvement with Ashington FC, Nicola expressed “This appointment represents a great opportunity for me to give back to the community and contribute to the growth and sustainability of the club. I believe football has the power to bring people together, inspire, and create a sense of belonging. I am excited to work alongside dedicated individuals who share a common vision and I look forward to the journey ahead.”

Drew Tinsley, a fellow board member, commented, “I’ve known Nicola for many years and have witnessed her passion for sports and community involvement, particularly in something we hold dear at the club – charity. Nicola is already bringing in new ideas to push us forward and we are honoured to have her on board.”

Chairman Brian Shotton also remarked, “If, like Nicola, you believe you can offer your skills or profession to the club, we warmly welcome your support, especially in areas such as commercial sales and marketing, which are crucial for the club’s revenue growth and survival in this competitive football landscape. Please reach out to brian.shotton@ashingtonafc.com if you would like to join us on our journey.”

Ashington Football Club is thrilled to announce a significant milestone, as the club secures its immediate and long-term tenure at Woodhorn Lane through a newly negotiated lease agreement lasting until 2049. This achievement not only fortifies the club’s presence at its home but also sets the stage for future development and continuous improvement as a community asset for the town to be proud of.

We extend our thanks to Advance Northumberland for their assistance in facilitating this agreement. Their faith in the club has played an important role in this positive step forward for us.

Chairman Brian Shotton expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our aims this season were to secure our tenure at Woodhorn Lane, carry out essential ground improvements, and ultimately stay in the Northern Premier League East. We are well on the way to achieving these goals, and we would like to thank Advance Northumberland, our valued sponsors, local councillors, and fantastic supporters for helping us get to where we are as a club off the field. We’ve come a long way in five years and I’m thankful for everyone who has played their part.”

“In addition to securing our immediate future, this extended lease opens doors for further development, enabling us to enhance the stadium and clubhouse, and create a community asset we can all take pride in. The club is committed to fostering a vibrant community hub and looks forward to the continued support of its dedicated community, sponsors, and fans.”

Ashington AFC is delighted to announce some recent changes implemented in our club management. 

Drew Tinsley and David Fish will be joining Ashington FC’s board, contributing and volunteering their time and expertise to our continued growth, both on and off the field.

Drew, with a professional background in construction and experience leading a large, successful engineering business unit, currently resides in the United Arab Emirates. David is an experienced finance professional, having worked in this area and beyond during his career.

Our Chairman, Brian Shotton “We reached out to Drew and David earlier in the year, knowing of their love for the club, the town, and the interest they have shown over the years. Drew brings a fresh perspective with his experience gained in his career and his connections both inside and outside of the North East. David, an experienced finance professional, will be key to ensuring our decision making is calculated and sustainable. Their areas of focus will be strategizing interest in the club, supporting investment, and making ground improvements, in addition to our charitable efforts in the community.”

Drew added, “I am honoured to accept my appointment as a board member of Ashington Football Club, a team that holds a special place in my heart as my hometown football club. This opportunity has been under discussion between the club and myself for some time, and I am pleased to transition from a lifelong supporter to a more active role within the club. For those who know me and my passion for football and all things Ashington, it’s no surprise that this decision was an easy one to make. My love for Ashington, in all its aspects, runs deep. Our town boasts a remarkable sporting legacy, a narrative that I firmly believe ranks among the most inspiring stories in sport. From legends like Newcastle’s Jackie Milburn to the World Cup-winning Charlton brothers with their record-breaking achievements playing for England, Leeds, and Manchester United, to our more recent Ashes and Cricket World Cup champions, Ashington has consistently been home to many sports heroes.”

He continued “I am committed to contributing to the impressive work achieved by the club since Brian’s appointment as Chairman in 2018. Together, with the support of our community and fans, we will continue to build a more robust and sustainable future for our beloved football club. This is an exciting journey, and I’m both ready and eager to play my part in carrying on Ashington’s proud legacy.”

David added “The club has come a long way both on and off the pitch since Brian’s appointment in 2018 and I am looking forward to supporting and contributing towards the future development of the Club.”

If you feel you can contribute your skills or profession to the club, we would welcome further assistance, particularly in the commercial sales and marketing sectors, to assist in growing the club’s revenue. Contact brian.shotton@ashingtonafc.com if you feel you can help us on our journey.

Ashington AFC, a club steeped in history since its founding in 1883 and nestled in the hometown of football legends like Sir Bobby Charlton, Jack Charlton, Jackie Milburn, and Jimmy Adamson, is facing a critical moment in its remarkable journey. From our days as a Football League club to our recent promotion, Ashington AFC has been a symbol of pride and heritage in our community.

Brian Shotton, our Chairman, reflects on our remarkable journey and the challenges facing the club: “When we took over the Club in 2018, it was in a very difficult place. We had to begin settling substantial debts and operated on very limited budgets for 18 months. Throughout this challenging period, our loyal supporters stood by us as we navigated our way with frugality. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic presented its own set of challenges, but it also provided an opportunity for us to review the club’s operations, reduce our remaining debt to a manageable level, invest in club facilities, furnishings, and infrastructure, and develop a comprehensive business plan with a five-year promotion target. Our team exceeded expectations, winning two trophies, growing matchday attendances, and embarking on an impressive FA Cup run, culminating in last season’s promotion.”

Shotton continues, “We began planning early in the New Year when promotion looked possible, and we set the club ambitious commercial targets to match our progress. While we were over the moon when we secured the historic promotion, the real test had truly begun. We found ourselves two years ahead of schedule in terms of on-field success but two years behind in terms of off-field progress, which would have to be accelerated. Almost overnight, the club faced the reality of critical and costly stadium improvements, substantial travel costs, and players understandably asking for increases due to the travel and time away on a Saturday afternoon. We immediately set out to engage the community and secure the funding required for a club like ours to operate at this level, utilising sponsorships and our ‘Build the Budget’ scheme. While we are immensely grateful for the support we’ve received from our sponsors, supporters, and donors, the current economic climate has made it challenging for us to reach our financial goals. It’s disheartening that even with home crowds exceeding 500, sustainability at this level remains elusive without substantial external support. We are not alone in that, having seen other clubs in recent years encounter similar issues We can obtain up to 70% of stadium improvement funding from the Football Foundation depending on the project, but even that remaining percentage is prohibitive while concurrently operating with the ongoing running costs.

With our Crowdfunder initiative, our mission is clear: we aim to stay at this level, enhance our stadium, and continue the growth of our club while giving back to those who contribute. Any support, big or small, will be genuinely appreciated. Our town boasts a storied footballing history with the Charltons and Milburns and together, we can add another memorable chapter to that legacy and make our goals a reality. We are incredibly proud of our community work and our roots in this town. Let’s come together and achieve our aim!”

You can find our crowdfunder at the following link: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ashingtonafc