By Brian Bennett

The players returned to pre season training at Ashington FC last week – and skipper Ben Harmison says that the lead up to the start of the new campaign is vital.

Manager Ian Skinner has been busy during the summer bringing in Robbie Dale, Andrew Cartwright, Lee Mason, Darren Lough, Damen Mullen and Dan Maguire.

And Harmison reckons the next few weeks are key: “We had two good sessions last week,” he said, “There were lots of ball work and a good chance for the newcomers to meet the others from last season. There were a couple of the new lads missing due to being away on holiday but of the ones who were there, there attitudes and work rate were spot on. Like last year, there’s definitely a buzz and a good-feel factor around the club but the most important thing for us as players is to get a good pre season under our belts because we want to hit the ground running when the league starts. We’ve got some good, exciting friendlies coming up and we’ve got a big squad at the minute but it’s just good to have that experience. I look around the group now and there’s so much talent in the camp with some players having played in higher leagues and we can’t wait for the season to start.”

Ashington, the winners of the inaugural Ebac Northern League Division One Cup, will meet North Shields, the first division champions at the Daren Persson Stadium on Saturday July 23 to contest the Cleator Cup. The league programme begins a week later on July 30 with the new fixtures being released by the ENL on Friday.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner has described the signing of striker Dan Maguire as being the ‘cherry on the top of the cake.’

The Colliers announced Maguire’s arrival to Woodhorn Lane on Saturday taking Skinner’s tally of newcomers during the close season to six after Robbie Dale, Andrew Cartwright, Lee Mason, Darren Lough and Damen Mullen all put pen to paper recently.

And afterwards, a beaming Skinner said: “We are delighted to add Dan Maguire to the squad for the coming season in what is another great coup for the club and for me, it is the cherry on the top of the cake. You only need to look at the career Dan has had to date and the clubs he has represented to see the quality and attacking threat that he will bring to our squad. I have worked with Dan before when he was a young player representing the County and I have kept in touch and followed his footballing journey.”

He continued: “Dan had many clubs vying for his signature, many who offered him better financial packages than the one he has agreed with Ashington. However he wanted to help the club move forward with what we are trying to achieve, in an environment where he could enjoy his football and hopefully return to the form which saw him score all those goals for Blyth Spartans in the National League North. It did help that Dan knew, as well as having played with a number of the players we have brought to the club in the close season and it is hoped that this will help him settle in quickly and hit the ground running.”

He went on: “Last season, we played a lot of games without a recognised centre forward with Dean Briggs operating as makeshift striker but the signing of Dan gives us another option and with Adam Johnson and Jamie Hanson back from injury, we will have competition for players in forward positions.”

Skinner went on: “I have always said since I returned to the club that I wanted to progress year on year. Last season was a good year which ended with us winning the Ebac Northern League’s Division One cup. Next season, we as a group want to build on last season’s success and see if we can take the next step forward and the six signings we have made, we feel will give us a good chance of achieving our aims. The fact that we have been able to sign the six players that we have and add them to what was a good group last season, shows that the club is very much moving in the right direction and that Ashington is a club on the up.” Skinner’s players return for pre season training this week and he added: “It has come around very quickly to be honest. However it’s great to bring the players in and work with them which give us a better chance to be prepared for the start of the season.”

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By Brian Bennett

Andrew Cartwright is hoping to achieve back to back promotions – with different clubs in the Ebac Northern League.

The 27 year old – one of five new signings made by Ashington manager Ian Skinner – put pen to paper after switching from Ebac Northern League first division champions North Shields.

Now the full back says he would like nothing better than to replicate the league success he had at North Shields last season – with the Colliers this time round.

The extra travelling involved with Shields was going to prove difficult for Newcastle-born Cartwright – who runs his own football coaching business – and he said: “I loved my time with them (North Shields) and winning the title was the icing on the cake. Now I’d like to do it again. Joining Ashington presents me with a fresh challenge and I’m looking forward to my time with them. They had a good team last year and have strengthened the squad and it is an exciting opportunity for me to take on board. I already know a few of the lads and I had no hesitation about signing for them.”

The Gosforth-based full back added: “It’s a tough league and you have got to be consistent but hopefully the experienced players will help in that department.”

Ashington boss Ian Skinner said: “Andrew comes with great pedigree in terms of having played for Blyth Spartans then he went off to play in Australia and obviously played in the very successful North Shields side last season. He’s predominantly a right full back and is really good from set plays so that will be an added bonus for us as well. Once I was aware that he could be looking to stay in the Northern League, he was someone who I was very, very keen to bring to the football club.” He continued: “Signing Andrew wasn’t just about what he can do on the pitch because he also fits into the type of character this football club wants to bring in – in terms of off the pitch and I think he’ll turn out to be a very good signing for us.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s new striker Lee Mason has set the bar high with the ambitions he would like to see come to fruition at Woodhorn Lane.

Mason was the third signing made by manager Ian Skinner who came through the doors last week – and the Newcastle-born forward was quick to point out that ‘exciting times’ are ahead.

At the beginning of last month, the Colliers ended a barren run of nine years without having won any silverware when they lifted the Ebac Northern League’s Division One Cup with a convincing 4-1 victory over Newcastle Benfield.

And Mason, brought in from Dunston UTS, sees what was a special moment for the club when skipper Ben Harmison held the trophy aloft, as being a springboard for further success: “With the personnel that the manager is bringing in to boost last season’s squad, it’s exciting times at the club – and I cannot wait to get started,” he said, “I’ve personally never won the Northern League title – but that’s got to be our aim next season along with having good runs in all of the cups as well as the FA Vase. It’s not just about contesting in every game either – it’s actually about going all the way in the various competitions and bringing the club more success. We want to give the fans and everybody connected with the club a bit of excitement and something to smile and shout about – and hopefully we can get the crowd behind us.”

The 31 year old continued: “I’m really delighted to be joining. Once I had spoken to the manager, the way he sold the club talking about where they would like to be and their ambitions, it was a no brainer for me.”

Mason who is based at Blyth and who works for Northumberland County Council, has played in front of the new stand at Woodhorn Lane – and the Colliers fans – before: “A couple of years ago I was on loan at Hebburn from South Shields and we played at Ashington,” he added, “I got onto the pitch as a substitute for about ten minutes and in my eyes, the club (Ashington) have the best facilities in the Northern League.”

Manager Skinner was buzzing after Mason had put pen to paper: “Lee is a forward thinking player and when we signed him, the news may have raised a few eyebrows because we scored over 100 goals last season. However when a player of Lee’s quality becomes available it would have been crazy for us not to be interested. He’s a player I’ve chased on numerous occasions and I’m delighted to be successful in capturing his signature this time round.” He continued: “Lee can play anywhere across the front; as an out an out striker; behind the striker as a number ten or he can operate in a wide area. I’m sure the fans will enjoy watching him because he gets the ball and he likes to run at players and go past people and he chips in with his own fair share of goals. He is another good character to have around both on and off the pitch – and on top of that he’ll fit into what is already a very good group of players that we have here at Ashington.”

By Brian Bennett

Darren Lough says he is delighted to return to his hometown club Ashington – bridging a gap of ten years since he last played for the Colliers.

Two years ago, the Morpeth-based defender – a drainage engineer – was in the Hebburn Town team when they visited Woodhorn Lane for a midweek Ebac Northern League first division clash and was impressed by what he saw: “First and foremost, I’m over the moon to have signed for Ashington again,” he said, “The last time I played at the ground was for Hebburn a couple of years ago and I remember walking through the main door of the new stand and seeing parts of the club’s history on the walls and thinking ‘this is really professional.’ As a player, playing at a decent ground with a good pitch gives you a feel-good factor and makes you want to play.”

Lough – a former captain for Newcastle United Reserves – first played at Woodhorn Lane between 2010-2012 before going to Iceland where he served two clubs – KA Akureyri and IA Akranes. He then had very successful spells with South Shields and latterly Hebburn where he won the FA Vase as well as promotion with both clubs.

However. the 32 year old – who has a young family – revealed that it was the extra traveling involved which was behind his reason to leave Hebburn: “A couple of clubs in the League above came in for me,” he added, “but again the distances of the journeys would have been an issue because it would have taken up too much time. When I heard of Ashington’s interest, I knew that’s where I wanted to play. They won the Division One cup last season and I was impressed with how they performed, finishing eighth in the table.”

Lough was completely upfront – and similarly upbeat – about what targets the Woodhorn Lane based outfit should be setting themselves next season: “Obviously the club have got the potential to go places,” he said, “They have signed experienced players to go alongside the younger lads to help push the club onto the next level. There is a good variety of experience in different positions and hopefully the newcomers will all gel with the existing squad. Our target should be to win the league because nobody remembers who finishes second in the division – whilst it would be great to have runs in the various cup competitions as well as the FA Vase.”

Manager Ian Skinner said: “Darren is somebody who I have known for a long time. I coached him when he was a young player was he was attached to Newcastle and I was involved there and I have followed his career. He’s obviously been at Ashington before and people might not remember what a good player he was because he probably gets most well remembered when he fractured his skull in a match at Woodhorn Lane – and it’s fantastic that he got over such a horrific injury. He went to Iceland to play then came back from abroad and had a very good career after going to South Shields and Hebburn.”

He continued: “Lots of people I have spoke to who enjoyed watching Ashington last year said we might have been a little bit young and naïve – and Darren will bring great leadership qualities both on and off the pitch. He is slightly versatile – he can play in a number of positions which is great in the modern game and I see him being a big player for the football club anywhere across that defensive back line which is where he is most comfortable.” He went on: “I’m delighted that I’ve finally landed Darren – a player who I have chased on numerous occasions. I came very, very close to signing him just before last season began but he felt Hebburn was his best option having won the league with them and obviously there was a win for him in the FA Vase final which was carried over from Covid. However, given that he’s got a young family, Darren maybes felt now was the time to drop back into the Northern League. All of a sudden we have got vast experience added to our squad because the players I have brought in have made multiple appearances further up the footballing pyramid and that can only help what is already a very good, young and developing squad here at Ashington.”

By Brian Bennett

Damen Mullen said Ashington seemed to be ‘the perfect choice’ – after he put pen to paper on a contract with the Woodhorn Lane outfit following his release from Hebburn Town.

Mullen will need no introduction to supporters at The dwmedia Stadium. The versatile 33 year old enjoyed a highly successful one month loan period with the club last term – and proved to be a big hit with the fans.

In less than a fortnight manager Ian Skinner has brought in a plethora of new players and Mullen – on his return to play for his home town club – said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time when I was on loan at Ashington in October last year. I’d been injured for the first part of the season at Hebburn and I started to build up my fitness with Ashington -and in that short spell they were doing really well. However, at Hebburn we didn’t have a great season – I had my injuries – and the club and myself decided to go our separate ways.”

Mullen, who is based in Holystone, continued: “I got in touch with Ian Skinner and said I’d be interested in coming to Ashington and things just snowballed from there. I had an initial chat a couple of weeks ago and then the boss mentioned about the ambitions of the club and the personnel he was looking to bring in. It’s all happened too with the announcement of the players he has brought in so far.”

Mullen added: “I was born in Ashington but I’m a Stakeford lad really! I played at Woodhorn Lane years over ten years ago ago under the management team of Gary Middleton and Neil Winskill – before this fabulous new stand was built. I know the club have gone through some tough times but it has progressed over recent years and is heading in the right direction again. I had a couple of offers from other clubs but I chose Ashington because it just seemed like the perfect place to come back.”

Manager Skinner said: “When Damen was on loan with us last season, we won six and lost one of the seven games he played for us and our supporters also took to him. He brought a real calming influence to the team; he helped us look after the ball a little bit and helped us maintain possession whilst out of possession his positional sense is really good. We wanted to keep him last season once his loan period had expired but Hebburn were the parent club and they asked for him back. It was great when we had him with us and even better now that we have secured his services for the coming campaign. Damen is a fantastic character both on and off the pitch and is vastly experienced having made hundreds of appearances further up the pyramid as well as being a former captain at Blyth Spartans.” He continued: “Damen plays in that key position just in front of the back four where we try and build attacks and he is ideal for us to get on the ball. He’s willing to take the ball under pressure in any situation – similar to Robbie Dale – and that’s what you need in the modern game because at this level and in this league, the opposition like to try and put you under pressure quickly. I’ve got to be honest and say my eyes lit up when I saw Damen was a free agent. He is somebody whom I’ve worked with before as I coached him as a youngster when he was involved in the professional game. I knew we (Ashington) stood a very good chance of getting Damen as soon as he became available so we spoke to him and thrashed out a deal. He was desperate to come; we were desperate to have him and I’m delighted to get him on board.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC chairman Brian Shotton could not hide his joy after the Woodhorn Lane club had secured the services of Blyth Spartans legend Robbie Dale.

 
Astonishingly, Dale made over 700 appearances in 18 years for the National League North outfit and Colliers chairman Brian Shotton said: “Obviously I cannot be anything other than delighted that we have signed a player of Robbie’s calibre. I’ve got friends over in Barrow, who have come up against him over the years so when you even get messages from them about the signing it’s great. The news has also attracted a lot of reaction and comment on social media from Ashington and Blyth Spartans fans – a few who have said they will be coming to watch Ashington next season – and I would like to think Robbie is the first confirmed of a number of players the manager (Ian Skinner) is working hard to bring in. It would be nice to think we’ll get a few more over the line so we can add to an already talented squad in what we hope will be a successful 2022-23 season“

 
He continued: “I think the news is something which will make most sit up and take notice and Robbie will definitely add experience to what is still a young squad – and sometimes I think we forget that. We have the likes of Ben Harmison and Paul Robinson playing for us but apart from that there is not a lot of long term experience in the camp and we still have a lot of young lads who haven’t played many years in the league. To add someone of Robbie’s experience and class can only benefit the group.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC skipper Ben Harmison has hailed the signing of Robbie Dale.

The Blyth Spartans legend put pen to paper and Harmison said: “It’s a massive coup for the club. Robbie is someone who has experience and it shows the ambition and direction in which the club are trying to go. I was personally aware that we were trying to sign him (Dale) since we knew he was leaving Blyth – although he wanted to continue playing. Our manager Ian Skinner has been trying his best to get him – and has succeeded – and hopefully a signing like this will lead to a few more players coming in that he (Ian Skinner) is speaking to. Also someone of Robbie’s experience coming into our dressing room is only going to help our young and ambitious squad.”

He continued: “I played at Blyth with Robbie so I know what he is like – and he’ll be coming to Ashington to win things and not just to play. In the negotiations, they obviously sold Robbie the ambitions of the club and he’ll want to be part of it – and want to help push us for promotion. The signing is big – and other lads the boss is trying to sign higher up the pyramid and who are available, once they have seen that Robbie has put pen to paper hopefully the news will persuade them to want to be a part of a club who are really ambitious.”

He added: “To do what Robbie has done in his career, he‘s bringing loads to Ashington – and not just that confidence to see him in the dressing room and give the rest of the squad a boost. The lads who were with us last year will have had loads of attraction from other clubs and the only way you are going to keep them at Ashington, is signing players like Robbie.” He went on: “All the young players who are staying will be really looking forward to starting pre season training – and hopefully we’ll get a few more experienced players on board who have played higher up, now that Robbie has signed for us.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner – having watched the ink dry on the signature of Robbie Dale – was clearly delighted after announcing his first addition during the close season.

Skinner said: “I’m delighted to bring a player of Robbie’s calibre to the club. His experience will be invaluable to our youthful squad – but he still has a lot to offer as a player and can cover a number of positions for us which will be useful. When Blyth and Robbie announced he was leaving – but that he still wanted to play – we registered an interest at the end of the season. He (Robbie) wanted to leave things a week before speaking to anybody.” Skinner continued: “We spoke to him about the club (Ashington) which he knew a lot about and that how he would be a vital member of our squad. Basically once the conversation was over, he pretty much agreed that he saw his future at Ashington and we got the paperwork completed as soon as possible. No doubt there were numerous offers for him but Robbie also knows some of our current players. It shows the club is always wanting to progress – and I see Robbie’s signing as being one where the club at Ashington continues to move forward given the attributes and quality he brings as both a player and a person.”