By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington’s interim boss Marc Ellison admitted that his side had come up short against promotion chasers Emley on Tuesday night – but praised the players for their efforts and said that ‘a draw would probably have been a fair result.’

Josh Gilchrist gave the Colliers the lead in the first half but the Pewits took all three points back to West Yorkshire with two goals in the final 25 minutes from Charlie Barks and Kurtis Turner.

Following their 8-0 hiding against Redcar Athletic on Saturday, it was a superb effort from the Wansbeck side who left every drop of energy out on the Woodhorn Lane pitch and who  came close to taking a share of the spoils.

Afterwards Ellison said: “The Ashington performance in the first half is the minimum I’ll expect from us over the next 13 games. I thought we dominated a team (Emley) who are second in the table for large spells of that half and going in 1-0 up was the least the players deserved. Emley adjusted their shape just before half time and in fairness, probably had the better of the second half.”

He continued: “We asked the lads to keep doing what they were doing but when you’re protecting a lead in the position we’re in, you sometimes find yourselves subconsciously holding on to what you have rather than building on it. Yes we need to be braver in possession at times and recognise when the game needs an extra pass to regain control but as a group, we’re still learning how we want to identify ourselves and that’s okay.”

He added: “After the weekend we’ve had, we held a good honest conversation about the expectations of this football club – from staff to players, volunteers and supporters. Ashington is a hard working town with down-to-earth people and the minimum they deserve is for our lads to give everything they have for 90 minutes, twice a week. I can’t fault the players’ effort tonight. They haven’t run like that in a long time.”

He went on: “Overall, I think a draw would probably have been a fair result based on our first half performance but we’ve come up short against a quality side. We can accept that but we know we still have to improve. It’s set a marker for our work-rate standards – nothing less will be accepted. We hope the fans can see that and get right behind us next week.”

Ashington travel to Garforth Town on Saturday (February 28) before they face Consett at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday (March 3).

Saturday hurt.

No hiding from that. It was our heaviest defeat in 20 years and our heaviest home defeat in 33 years. We know many of you paid £10 to watch it. That isn’t lost on us.

The Consett game has already been postponed twice, both very late on. So we want to try and give something back and get as many of you through the gate as possible.

For Tuesday 3rd March at Woodhorn Lane against Consett, it will be pay what you feel at the gate.

If you’re able to give, thank you. If you’re not, just come and back the lads and enjoy the game. We need you there.

In addition, all season ticket holders will receive a drinks token at the turnstile to redeem at the bar as a thank you for sticking with us.

Thank you as ever for your support. Without it, we wouldn’t be here.

By Brian Bennett

Marc Ellison – appointed alongside Karl Ross as Ashington’s interim management team – described the 8-0 drubbing by Northern Premier League East Division league leaders Redcar Athletic on Saturday as being ‘a humbling experience’ and one which he hopes he will never have to face again.

In the reverse fixture between the teams in mid October, Ashington had chances to win the contest before the free scoring Teessiders scored an 89^th minute winner. However on Saturday, Carl Jarrett’s outfit were 4-0 up at the break and although the Colliers improved in the second half – and missed a penalty – the goals continued to rain in as the visitors showed no signs of a let up.

Man of the match Louis Johnson led the way with a hat -trick with other goals coming from John Howard, Adam Boyes, Oscar Fletcher, Rio May and substitute Brad Fewster.

Whilst the defeat was bad enough, more significantly it made Ashington’s goal difference the worst in the division as the Wansbeck side – who remain fourth bottom – battle to avoid the drop.

A dejected Ellison said: “It was a really, really humbling experience after last week’s good performance. Redcar are a brilliant team with a fantastic management set up behind them and are top of the league for a reason but if we aren’t prepared to do the ‘non-negotiables’ in football, things like today happens.”

He continued: “No-one expected us to get a result today and to be honest the easy way out would be to say it was a free hit for us but that’s something which I’m not willing to accept. I’ll take full responsibility as I’ve sent the lads out onto the pitch but there have been a few harsh truths that needed to be told within the dressing room. As I’ve said, I don’t want to take any shine off Redcar’s performance as they were really good value for their win and if it wasn’t for our goalkeeper Ben Metcalf, the result could have looked even worse than it does – but we cannot allow good teams and good players to do as they wish and crumble when things don’t go our way.”

He concluded: “It’s all about character now and we’ll do our best to have the lads ready to go again on Tuesday night when we are at home against Emley.”

Ashington AFC have further strengthened their squad with the addition of Rees Greenwood ahead of the upcoming fixtures. The former Sunderland player began his career with the Black Cats, progressing through the academy from the age of eight before making his Premier League debut against Watford in May 2016. Greenwood has since built a varied senior career with spells at Gateshead, Falkirk, Spennymoor Town, West Auckland Town and overseas in the UAE and Iceland, gaining valuable experience across different environments. His attacking qualities, versatility and senior experience add depth and quality to the Ashington squad.

The club can also confirm that 19-year-old left-back Christian Lynn has joined on a dual-registration with Gateshead FC. A technically gifted full-back, Lynn is comfortable in possession and provides an attacking threat, particularly from set-pieces. During his time with Newcastle Benfield he made 18 appearances, impressing with his composure, delivery and game understanding. Lynn was previously dual registered with Blyth Spartans, but a change in management limited his opportunities, and the move now provides a strong platform for continued development while contributing to Ashington’s defensive options.

Manager Marc Ellison added he was pleased to add further additions to the squad, with the current group stretched due to injuries, suspensions and player availability. He believes the duo will add important depth for the remainder of the season as the team prepares for a busy schedule of fixtures.

Photo: Sunderland AFC

Ashington AFC are pleased to confirm the signing of Ben Metcalf, who joins the club on a short-term youth loan from Sunderland AFC.

The 18-year-old goalkeeper arrives at Woodhorn Lane after progressing through the ranks at Sunderland, where his professionalism and consistency were recently rewarded with his first professional contract.

Metcalf made 20 appearances in the U18 Premier League last season for the Black Cats, establishing himself as a reliable presence and continuing his development within a high-performance academy environment. The move to Ashington provides an important opportunity for him to experience senior football and further accelerate his growth.

At international level, Metcalf is a Northern Ireland youth international. He was selected for the Northern Ireland U19 squad for UEFA European Championship qualifiers against Denmark, Israel and Albania in November, having previously represented his country at U17 level in 2022. His international involvement reflects the strong potential identified in his development.

Manager Marc Ellison welcomed the addition, saying:
“We’re delighted to bring Ben into the group. He’s a talented young goalkeeper with excellent habits and a strong mentality. His academy experience at Sunderland and exposure to international football make him an exciting addition, and we’re looking forward to supporting his development.”

We would like to place on record our thanks to Sunderland AFC. The loan highlights the positive working relationship between Ashington AFC and Sunderland AFC, with both clubs committed to providing meaningful first-team opportunities for emerging players.

Everyone at Ashington AFC would like to welcome Ben to the club and wish him every success during his time with us.

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Liam Wotherspoon scored his first goal for Ashington in the 2-0 victory over North Ferriby on Saturday – and was delighted to get off the mark.

However, the 29 year old said afterwards that securing the win was the most important aspect and that the club must kick on.

Wotherspoon – who joined the Colliers from Newcastle Blue Star earlier in the campaign – commented: “It was my first goal for the club today which I was delighted with but I was more pleased that we got the three points. It was one of those where we were hanging on for as long as we could for the last 10-15 minutes. We really dug in and got a chance with them (North Ferriby) piling forward and the ‘keeper coming up for the corner near the end. The ball broke to Liam Noble on the right and I just put the burners on and ran as quick as I could through the middle hoping he would play me in – which he did – and it was an easy finish.”

He continued: “We absolutely deserved it. For a number of weeks now we haven’t really been in a good place because we haven’t been getting the results we wanted but we’ve worked really, really hard in training, trying to implement some things and we put them into practice today. At this time of the season it is all about getting results and we knew that it was a massive, massive game for us today at North Ferriby. Yes they went down to ten men – but even before the sending off, we were dominating the game and I thought we played really well.”

He added: “It’s a huge three points but now we’ve got to kick on. There are some tough games coming up against teams who are in and around us but winning breeds confidence and we’ve got to make sure we win more games and hopefully keep the club in this league. We’ve got a really good bunch of lads with a blend of youth and experience who are all pulling in the same direction and hopefully if we stick at it and keep working hard in games and in training, the results will come.”

Newcastle-born Wotherspoon gave a special mention to the travelling fans who were vocal with their backing throughout: “It’s a long way to come and despite results not being the way we wanted recently, they have still travelled in their numbers,” he said, “The supporters make a difference 100 per cent and when I scored, the first thing I wanted to do was run over and celebrate in front of them as a big thank you for coming down. They could be doing other things on a Saturday but they have come to watch us and we are all really grateful to them for doing that.”

Ashington now move on to Tuesday night’s game against Blyth Town – one of Wotherspoon’s former clubs and he said: “I was at Blyth Town for a number of years and I know their management team of Gav Fell and Michael Connor will make it really tough for us – so we’ve got to make sure we’re up for the fight.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

It was a case of deja vu for teenage striker Louis Burns after he scored a sensational goal for Ashington on Saturday in their 2-0 win over North Ferriby.

Burns – who recently celebrated his 19^th birthday – cut inside then unleashed a terrific right foot thunderbolt from 25 yards which screamed into the top corner to give the Colliers the lead before Liam Wotherspoon sealed the three points on Humberside with a goal near the end of stoppage time.

Earlier in the week, National League North outfit South Shields – who are top of the division – had agreed to extend Burns’ loan with Ashington until the end of the season.

Of his goal, Burns said: “As I got the ball, when I turned, the space opened up and I thought ‘I’ll let fire and have a go’ and it has gone into the top corner. It was similar to a goal I scored when I was at Newton Aycliffe and I was very happy but the most important thing was that we got three points.”

Durham-born Burns was named in the starting line up and added: “Despite games being called off we have trained a lot and been positive. Today I got my chance which I have worked for and have taken it.”

He continued: “I’m here until the end of the season and I’m happy. I need experience and game time – that’s what I’m hoping for – and also looking to help the club to stay in the league which is where they belong. As players we want to turn things around and I want to be part of that. Hopefully the weather is kind and we can get more games in.”

Ashington’s joint interim manager Marc Ellison said of the loan extension “To be honest it was me who kick started the loan as I used to play alongside South Shields manager Ian Watson. We were having a chat and he said that he had a young energetic kid (Louis Burns) who he thinks really highly of, so I mentioned it to then manager Nick Gray and negotiations went from there. Louis has come from good stock and is getting well coached at South Shields and is learning the right way. He’s a great kid with a brilliant attitude and I think we’ll see the best of him now. I asked South Shields if we could have him for the rest of the season and I’m delighted we’ve come to an agreement and would like to thank them for their co-operation.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Not surprisingly, Marc Ellison wore a broad smile when he gave his post match assessment following Ashington’s 2-0 victory over North Ferriby on Saturday.

Ellison and captain Karl Ross – who were recently installed as the interim management team at the Woodhorn Lane based outfit – looked on in sheer delight as the Colliers clinched the result with a stunning goal from Louis Burns and an effort in the last minute from Liam Wotherspoon.

Ellison said: “It was our first game for three weeks and I couldn’t be prouder of the lads. We have been through a rocky period of results but the players are over the moon in there (dressing room) and they should be after what was a great result. I would have taken any positive result on the road but to perform the way we did and to get three points was really, really satisfying. I know they (North Ferriby) had a man sent off early doors but we looked comfortable before that. We’ve dominated the game and had the lion’s share of possession and should have been ahead at half time.”

The Wansbeck side went into the interval all square at 0-0 and Ellison added: “The problem for us in the first half was without the ball. Even when we had the extra man, we were getting caught too high up the pitch. They were breaking on us too easily because we weren’t working hard enough out of possession. We changed things at half time and in the second half the lads done exactly what we have asked them to do in the three weeks we have been in charge as they played the way we want them to play. We’ve got a style of play which we are going to stick with and what we are looking for was all there – yes it still needs polishing and sharpening up but it’s brand new to all of us.”

He continued: “I’m absolutely delighted for Louis Burns who produced a great finish for the opening goal. However, I must also mention Liam Noble who was absolute brilliant in the middle of the pitch and who ran the game but Ryan Wombwell was my Player of the match. With Jeremy Perera picking up an injury before half time, we asked Ryan (Wombwell) to step into midfield from left back and I thought he was phenomenal from minute one whilst the two lads at the back – Ryan Donaldson and Chris Reid – were solid. If we can sharpen up in the final third and start to put away some of the chances, then I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

Fans Forum Summary –  Saturday 7^th February 2026

Welcome and Introductions

Chair Nicola Sanders-Cooper welcomed everyone and thanked those who came along. With the fixture postponed and players already present at the ground, it was felt this was a good opportunity to hold an open forum and give supporters the chance to ask questions directly.

Nicola introduced the directors in attendance – Brian Shotton and Gavin Perry – along with interim management Marc Ellison and Karl Ross.

Board Update

Brian Shotton – Director Role

Brian explained the background to his return to the football board.

The Club operates across two separate businesses:

• The building, bar and facilities – Ashington Community Football Club Limited
• The football operation – Ashington Association Football Club Limited

Brian has remained involved on the building and facilities side. He resigned as Chairman in July 2024 and formally stepped down as a director of the football side in September 2024, feeling at the time he had taken that role as far as he could. After a period away, he has decided to return and support the Club again.

He reminded supporters that all board members work full-time elsewhere, some out of the country, and give their time voluntarily, so work and home life do come first. All directors do, however, take their roles seriously as custodians of this football club. There have been several positive ideas put forward to strengthen the Club financially, though implementing them takes time and capacity.

Interim Management and Future Plans

Fan Question: What is the process for appointing a permanent manager, and what is the current state of suspensions?

Gavin Perry: With 16 games remaining, the board must carefully consider whether now is the right time to make a permanent appointment. Many managers prefer to bring in their own players, and making a change at this stage could create disruption.

Brian Shotton: reiterated that bringing a new manager in now could result in further upheaval. Nothing has been ruled in or out.

Suspensions Update

• Karl Ross – 2 games remaining
• Marc Ellison – 3 games remaining

Communication and Social Media

A supporter raised concerns about recent social media criticism, that while everyone is entitled to an opinion, some commentary can feel personal rather than constructive. At times, it appears agenda-driven, which can be disheartening for those involved at the Club who are giving their time freely and put themselves in the ‘firing line’.

Nicola Sanders-Cooper: We welcome feedback and acknowledge that communication can improve, but we often cannot release certain information or do so in a timely manner for various reasons.

Recently, the club received criticism after an opposition side announced a postponement before us and before it had been formally confirmed by the league. We are required to wait for confirmation from the NPL before making any announcement; otherwise, we risk potential sanctions. In that instance, the situation was outside our control. It serves as a reminder that matters are not always as straightforward as they may appear.

Nicola reiterated that the board is approachable. Directors can be spoken to at matches and contacted via email. The board meets weekly, including one member (Drew Tinsley) who joins remotely from Dubai at 11 pm. The commitment is there, and supporters were asked to work with the board rather than against it.

Brian Shotton: Feedback is always noted, though it is not always constructive and can feel like certain members of the club are targets at times. He has always believed the club should be as accessible as possible and has always taken pride in transparency. Football clubs may operate as businesses, but they represent a wider community and carry that responsibility. At the same time, as with any organisation, certain information can be commercially or personally sensitive and cannot always be shared publicly. He added that the board’s focus is on getting things done and keeping the club moving forward. While consultation is welcomed wherever possible, there are occasions when decisions must be made quickly or within regulatory limits, and it is not always practical to seek wider input beforehand.

Sponsorship and Financial Position

Nicola Sanders-Cooper expressed the ongoing challenge of securing sponsorship. Many businesses are under pressure, making it difficult to attract new partners. The possibility of appointing a dedicated salesperson has been discussed and will continue to be explored.

The Club is currently fourth in average league attendance, which is positive. However, average attendances have dropped from over 500 per match in previous seasons to just over 300 this year (excluding Blyth Spartans fixture which attracted a large number of away supporters or supporters who might only come to big fixtures). That reduction has had a significant financial impact.

Brian Shotton: confirmed that the annual playing budget, including travel, now exceeds £140,000 per season. For a club without a benefactor or major sponsor, this represents a substantial commitment. During the recent spell of postponements and reduced income, directors have personally stepped in to support shortfalls in projected income. This was not a budgetary issue but a pure cash flow matter.

Playing Style and On-Field Approach

Fan Question: The Friday night game vs Newton Aycliffe a few months ago was one of my worst in memory for performance, and generally the football has been poor, is there going to be a change in the way we are playing? Is it going to be more entertaining?

Marc Ellison: Obviously, nobody has been happy where we are as a team and it has been too inconsistent. During the recent break in fixtures, the squad has trained with input from Ian Skinner, and has begun working on adjustments in approach. The players are eager to return to competitive matches. Ian has other work commitments and cannot assist on a full-time basis.

Postponements and FA Support

Fan Question: Do the FA provide contingency support when games are cancelled?

Gavin Perry: There are funding streams available, but not for general day-to-day running costs. Clubs are expected to account for those within their budgets. Applications are ongoing, though funding is competitive and not guaranteed.

Brian Shotton: While a budget exists, extended stoppages are difficult to plan for. The Blyth Spartans fixture in December provided a strong financial boost, but momentum has been lost with only one home game since. Any business would struggle if income ceased while costs continued.

Nicola Sanders-Cooper: added that the board is speaking with sponsors and reviewing other income options. The 50/50 draw being conducted today has been helpful, alongside pitch squares and wall tiles available online.

There was also discussion around reintroducing hospitality packages and hosting live music events. Supporters with ideas or proposals were encouraged to put their proposals to the board as nothing can be instantly dismissed at this stage.

League Position and Ambition

Fan Question: Would the Club be better off competing back in the Northern League?

There were differing opinions, though the overall view was that the Club and players want to compete at this level. While costs would be lower in the Northern League, there is no desire to undo the work that went into securing promotion two years ago.

Squad Development

Fan Question: Can we recruit a left-footed player to provide greater width?

Marc Ellison / Karl Ross: Such players are not easy to find. However, the intended style of play does not depend solely on that profile of player.

Ground Signage

Fan Question: Can a board be installed at the entrance to ground entrance to promote fixtures?

Nicola Sanders-Cooper: This has been discussed. Planning permission would be required for external signage. An existing sign did receive permission when first installed, and the Club is reviewing whether it can be adapted.

The meeting concluded with thanks to everyone who attended and contributed. Further dates for fans’ forums will be communicated when confirmed.

By Brian Bennett

A familiar face re-joined the board of directors at Ashington Football Club last week.

Brian Shotton – who as chairman steered the Colliers out of a dark period in the club’s history to a highly successful time during his six years at the helm – admitted that he stepped down due to exhaustion and other priorities but returns recharged, refreshed and revitalised for a ‘different type of challenge.’

A lifelong supporter of the club, Brian said at the weekend: “I’ve returned to what is the football board. I was still a director of the company that operates the ground and the bar, so I’d never fully stepped away from the club. I just moved back from the football side a couple of years ago. It felt like the right time. I’d worked very closely with Ian Skinner during his spell as manager, and as he moved on, new board members were coming in. I thought it was only fair to give them the space to settle in and bring their own ideas and direction to the club.”

He continued: “At that point, others were stepping in to take on some of the responsibility, which I felt was the right move. My day job at Hirst Welfare was also at a key stage of change, requiring my full focus at an important time. But with recent events and the club entering another period of change, I met with the board last week and agreed to return to offer some support. I feel refreshed and ready to contribute again. Running a Football Club is very demanding. From the outside, it can look straightforward, but the reality is very different. You’re balancing work, family life and football in what is already a busy world. My main priority will always be my day job and family life, with the football club alongside that.”

He added: “With Marc (Ellison) and Karl (Ross), I think we have got a good interim management team. We certainly have some good players who have a mix of experience and youth. I am confident results will come. We undoubtedly want to remain in the Northern Premier League. There was some discussion at the fans’ forum about whether dropping into the Northern League below might suit us better overall as a club, but I don’t share that view. It might reduce costs, yes. But I know the club’s mindset. We all want to test ourselves at the highest level we can. That’s where the challenge is, and that’s where we believe we belong. A lot of work went into getting this club into the Northern Premier League, and I’m not prepared to simply accept giving that up. I know others feel the same.”

Brian, 42, said: “My grandad was a lifelong Ashington supporter. He used to stand at Portland Park in the 1950s watching us play the likes of Peterborough and Wigan Athletic, and he took me along as a youngster to see teams managed by Keith Grant, Cec Irwin and John Connolly. I’m a Sunderland supporter through my dad, but Ashington is different. I bleed black and white for this club. I’ll always do what I can to help, and I hope I can bring some of the drive we had during my previous spell, when we enjoyed success on the pitch after the pandemic. Looking ahead, we need to be more community-focused, build stronger local links and be smarter commercially. We don’t currently run a junior section of our own, largely because of falling numbers, the challenge of attracting volunteers and the fact that we only have a grass pitch, which limits how much the facility can be used and does not lend itself to being as inclusive as we would like to have been as a club. That makes it even more important to work closely with junior clubs in the area and

ensure Ashington is seen as the natural next step into senior football. The landscape is tougher than it once was, both financially and structurally, but the objective is clear – connect with the community and compete at the highest level we can.”

He went on: “I’ve always seen myself as someone who gets on with things. I’m not one for just talking; I prefer to put things into action. People will always have views on how things are done, but the reality is that they are done in the best interests of Ashington Football Club. I genuinely believe everyone at this football club is giving what they can within the circumstances we’re working in. If anyone feels they can offer time, skills or support, I’d encourage them to step forward. Help is needed, and it’s always welcome.”

He concluded: “But all said I’m very pleased to be back. It’s a different challenge from last time, and I’m ready to play my part.”