By Brian Bennett

Ashington skipper Karl Ross reached a notable milestone in his long serving playing career when he made his 250^th appearance for the Colliers in their Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division clash against Brighouse Town on Saturday – and is hoping to chalk up many more!

Afterwards, the joint interim manager as well as midfielder revealed he was aware of the stats – but admitted he should have reached it earlier!

“To be fair, it would have come earlier against Dunston if I hadn’t been sent off,” he commented, “I’ve had a couple of red cards this season which is poor on my part but it’s a great achievement. Ashington is a great club and it has got a great set of people and volunteers behind the scenes. I’ve loved the club ever since I joined in 2018, so to get to 250, I’m immensely proud and hope I can get many more.”

Ross helped to steer his side over the line on Saturday – the Wansbeck club preserving their status in the league after they finally shrugged off the threat of relegation. He added: “It was a tough one because you just wanted to play another game but your mind is elsewhere. We knew it was in our hands which was the main thing and that if we won or drew the game it was going to be enough to keep us in the league. We said beforehand that we couldn’t have had a much better opportunity than today (at Brighouse) to nail safety. Staying up is nothing we should be celebrating but after the season we have had, it’s a good achievement.”

Ross paid tribute to the Ashington fans – around 100 – who travelled on Saturday: “They gave us a lift during the game,” he said, “They have not only been magnificent all season, they have been magnificent in the whole of the eight years I have been with the club. Honestly we (the players and management) cannot thank them enough for coming down in their numbers today. They pay their hard earned money to come and watch us play and the least we can do is to work hard and put a performance in for them to celebrate.”

He continued: “We started the campaign with high expectations of reaching the play offs which is your ambition to get to but it didn’t pan out that way. We went through a very tough spell where we only won seven games up to Christmas but after then we’ve turned things around.”

He continued: “Apart from the fans, I want to say a big thank you to all the volunteers and to everyone else connected with the club. It hasn’t been the kind of season everyone has wanted but at the end of the day we’ve achieved the job of keeping the club in the league which when Marc (Ellison) and I took over on an interim basis, was the target. From that moment I think we have played some good football; got some good results and deserve to stay in the league.”

By Brian Bennett

It was an ecstatic Marc Ellison who punched the air with delight at the final whistle on Saturday after his side had won 2-0 against Brighouse Town in West Yorkshire.

The victory finally blew the relegation clouds away which had hovered menacingly over the Woodhorn Lane outfit for several months.

The interim boss congratulated every one of his players and staff before heading towards the magnificent support which his side had received on the day from the Ashington fans.

“We got there in the end!” said Ellison, “That was a proper professional performance, especially in the second half. We played some really good football on what wasn’t an easy pitch. First half, we controlled the game but it just felt like we had the handbrake on a little bit – like there was another level we hadn’t quite hit yet. Then you hear the other results coming in, we miss the penalty, and you start thinking… is it going to be one of those days again? At half-time, the message was simple: a bit more purpose, a bit more intensity, just be more aggressive in what we’re doing. And to be fair to them, the response in the second half was outstanding. I thought we were really, really good. The two goals that got ruled out for offside – honestly, they were probably the two best team goals we’ve scored all season. Both were brilliant moves and everything you want to see in how we play.”

He continued: “But it’s not just about today. When we came in after Christmas (myself and Karl Ross as interim managers), the brief was clear – stay in the league. And we’ve done that. I’m absolutely delighted for everyone at the club, the staff behind the scenes, and the supporters”

Ellison praised the squad: “Ultimately, it’s all down to the players. We’ve pretty much torn up what was there before and completely changed the style of play and every single one of them (the players) has bought into it. They’ve been brilliant – on the pitch, around the place, and with me as well, which isn’t always easy given I was in the dressing room with them not too long ago. They’ve picked up big points and delivered some outstanding performances along the way.”

Ellison concluded: “Whatever happens next, they (the players) should be really proud of themselves. And hopefully, this gives everyone associated with the club a big lift going into next season so they can push on and keep improving.”

It’s now your time to vote for your player of the season (who is still at the club) and goal of the season.

For goal of the season, we’ve done a shortlist for you to choose from…..

Supporters Player of the Season

Coming Soon

Supporters Player of the Season 2025/26

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Supporters Goal of the Season

Coming Soon

Supporters Goal of the Season 2025/26

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By Brian Bennett

Ashington interim manager Marc Ellison – whilst knowing the importance of Saturday’s away clash against Brighouse – stressed that the players and management at the Woodhorn Lane club are trying to treat the contest as ‘just another game.’

The Colliers will secure their status in the Northern Premier League’s East Division if they collect three points at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium and ahead of a final training session last night, Ellison said: “It’s hard to come away from the fact that it’s our biggest 90 minutes of the season. We know that if we get the win then we’re mathematically safe but to be honest, we’re trying to treat it as just another game. It’s in our hands.”

Ashington will be spurred on by around 100 supporters who are making the trip to West Yorkshire by various modes of transport and Ellison is convinced they can play a vital role: “Having a good representation from the fans will make a difference that’s for sure,” he added, “Since Karl Ross and I came in as interim managers, the team have been a lot better at home than we have away – and that’s probably down to the encouragement from the supporters. At this level you don’t often see a really healthy away backing so fair play to them. I’m sure the lads will be buzzing when they see the support and the more volume our fans can give them, the better.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington skipper Karl Ross has said that the mood in the camp is good and that the players know the importance of Saturday’s penultimate league game of the season away to Brighouse Town.

The Colliers travel knowing that a win in West Yorkshire will preserve their status in the Northern Premier League’s East Division.

Ross said: “Obviously it is a massive game for the club with a lot riding on it. The players had a good training session on Monday and will go again on Thursday but the mood in the camp is good and we can hopefully get over the line on Saturday. I’ve heard that there is going to be a great representation of fans making the trip and turning out in fancy dress outfits so we’re looking to give them a good day out. A lot of them are going down as a kind of remembrance day in respect of supporter Craig Dickinson – they’ll be wanting to celebrate his life and I hope we are all celebrating after the final whistle.”

Ross added that the players have accepted the 5-0 defeat by Matlock last weekend came against a side who are a ‘step ahead.’ He said: “It was a bit of a free hit for us as Matlock are a step ahead of us but we need to move on. Brighouse are bottom of the league and have been relegated but that doesn’t alter anything on Saturday as their players will still be fighting and looking to play for their places next season – so we know we need to be at our best.”

By Brian Bennett

Ian Reid, chairman of Ashington Football Supporters Club has described Saturday’s away match at Brighouse Town as being ‘our cup final.’

Mr Reid, in the post for over ten years, is delighted that the fans have responded for the travel to West Yorkshire with a following approaching the hundred mark: “We have a coach going down then there are around another 20 who are making the journey by train as well as others,” he said, “It’s a very important game for the club – it’s our cup final. We know if we can win at Brighouse then we’ve got another season in the Northern Premier League. What we don’t want is to be going into the final match of the campaign at home to Lincoln United the week after with something hinging on it.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s interim manager Marc Ellison didn’t beat about the bush when he delivered his postmatch verdict following the Colliers 5-0 defeat against promotion chasing Matlock Town in Derbyshire on Saturday.

“We knew coming into today we were up against a really good side,” he said, “In an ideal world you’re thinking maybe you nick a draw, or if every one of our lads turns in a nine out of 10 performance then you’ve got a chance. However, fair play to Matlock. They could’ve easily thought that the play offs are sorted and taken their foot off the gas but they’ve put us to the sword this afternoon and they were better than us in every department. That’s not a dig at our lads at all, it just shows where we are as a club and where they (Matlock) are right now, and it makes it tough to compete at times.”

He continued: “The lads are obviously disappointed, and rightly so. But we’ve said in there, coming away to a place like this isn’t going to define our season. I haven’t checked, but I’d imagine not many teams around us have come here and taken points anyway and the big thing now is that we park this, move on quickly, and focus on next week. It’s the biggest game of our season (away to Brighouse on Saturday). We know if we win, we are safe. It’s all about us — preparing right and making sure we’re ready.”

By Brian Bennett

Picture the scene! Ashington are desperately trying to avoid relegation from the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League. In their penultimate home clash of the season against Heaton Stannington on Bank Holiday Monday, they miss an early penalty; go a goal behind, then after equalising, conjure up a winner scored by Wilson Kneeshaw – who is an artist!

Not only that. The 31 year old, who returned to the club recently, revealed afterwards that he has made his Ashington comeback – after defying the advice of a doctor.

The Darlington-born forward – wearing a broad smile – said: “I’m happy to be back. I don’t know if anyone knows but I was told by the doctor at the start of the season that I shouldn’t play again after experiencing reoccurring problems with my achilles. I took some time off and cleared my head and pretty much decided not to play as the doctor told me if I was to keep playing, I would be walking with a cane in five years – so I thought okay. However, after Marc Ellison and Karl Ross took over at Ashington, they both got onto me and I also know a lot of the lads at the club who are great. They kept messaging me asking if I wanted to help out. I think there were eight games left when I re-joined the club and I’m unbeaten since I’ve played with two draws, two wins and two goals!”

Kneeshaw – who was brought down in the area in the second minute from which Josh Gilchrist had a penalty saved by Heaton Stannington ‘keeper Lewis Brass – elaborated on how his winning goal in the 77^th minute came about: “The game plan was for us to get down the sides and obviously with the bit of pace which I’ve got, we tried to exploit them (Heaton Stannington) down the wings. On this occasion, we got in (down the side) and Louis Burns has played the ball to me. As everyone has come across, I’ve chopped onto my left foot and stuck it away in the bottom corner with quite a good finish.”

He added: “It’s nice to help the team – I hadn’t played football for ten months before I came back – and it took me a while to get my legs going a little bit. Obviously I’m trying to contribute and that’s two goals in the last two games I’ve played so I can’t complain.”

Kneeshaw – who has had no adverse reaction to his injury – went on: “We’ve got three games left and I’m enjoying it. The good thing from my point of view is that I know I can help the lads out and I’ve not have any pain from my achilles. I’m not saying the doctor was wrong – but obviously I’ve got to try and manage my body a little bit better now. Things are going well – I haven’t had any problems so far – and I’d like that to continue.”

By Brian Bennett

Marc Ellison thought his side were outstanding in the second half as they churned out a 2-1 win over Heaton Stannington on Bank Holiday Monday.

However Ashington’s interim boss could not heap enough praise onto the supporters of the Woodhorn Lane club describing them as being ‘absolutely tremendous’ as they drove their team on.

The win was just what the Wansbeck side wanted – but the Colliers are not out of the relegation woods yet.

Ellison said: “Unfortunately certain results didn’t help us, but we’ve done what we can to look after ourselves. Other than that there were no complaints from me today. We’ve asked the lads to go unbeaten at home for the rest of the season, and they keep delivering. If we can start matching that level away from home, then I think we’ll be in a really good place.”

Ellison – left frustrated by events in the opening quarter of an hour –  praised the players: “First half, we miss a penalty and then have another big chance straight after. Then they (Heaton Stannington) go up the other end and score, and you start thinking it might be one of those days. But credit to the players – we regrouped, got in at half-time and tweaked the shape a little bit. I thought we were outstanding in the second half and on the balance of play, we probably deserved the result.”

Ellison then spoke about the Ashington fans in a crowd of 731: “I’ve got to mention the supporters again,” he said, “They were absolutely tremendous today and really drove us on when we needed it. It’s in our hands now. We’ve got three big games left, and we need to carry this momentum forward and make sure we finish where we want to be.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington interim boss Marc Ellison was naturally disappointed after his side went down to a single goal defeat against Hallam at Sandygate on Saturday.

Blustery conditions spoilt the clash which was settled in the fourth minute when Leon Salmon-Howarth netted with a header at the near post.

Ellison said: “It was a tough game, but fair play to Hallam — they got their noses in front early and did what they needed to do to see it out. In the first half especially, I thought they handled the conditions better than we did and just showed that bit more desire to win the game.”

He continued: “We’ve had a potential penalty turned down and hit the post twice, so on another day we might’ve had the rub of the green go our way. That said, I don’t think we quite reached the level we know we’re capable of. We huffed and puffed, but the off-the-ball work that allows us to play the kind of football we want just wasn’t where it needed to be.”

He added: “We know we’ve got four massive games left starting against Heaton Stannington at home on Monday. Hopefully we can get a good crowd behind us and put in a positive performance to get us where we need to be. Since we’ve come in, I feel like we’ve made a lot of positive strides, but it’s about consistency now. We know it’s in there, and I’ll take it on myself to make sure we get it out of the group over these next four games, whatever it takes.”

The boss gave a special mention to the travelling fans: “Once again, the support today was outstanding and massively appreciated by everyone,” he said, “We’ll be doing everything we can to give them something to shout about in the weeks ahead.”