Ashington AFC are delighted to announce a new football structure at the club, designed to strengthen and modernise the football operation both on and off the pitch.

As part of the restructure, the club has introduced the new position of Head of Football, a strategic leadership role that will report directly to the Board of Directors and oversee all football-related matters across the club.

The club are pleased to confirm the appointment of Ian Skinner as Head of Football.

Ian returns to Ashington AFC with extensive experience across coach development, football leadership and elite player development, having worked across the grassroots game through to the professional game.

In his new role, Ian will provide strategic direction and leadership across the football department, supporting the continued development and progression of the club on and off the field.

The new structure will see the Head of Football oversee:

• First Team Management
• A newly created Head of Recruitment role
• A newly appointed Analyst position
• The Medical Department

As part of the restructure, the club are in discussion with Kevin Chapman around the role of Head of Medical.

The club would also like to confirm that recruitment is currently underway for both the Head of Recruitment and Analyst positions as Ashington AFC continues to build a strong infrastructure to support long-term success.

Speaking on his appointment, Ian Skinner said:

“I’m delighted to return to Ashington AFC in this new role. This is a football club with fantastic people, strong community values and huge potential. The introduction of this structure demonstrates real ambition from the Board to continue moving the club forward in a sustainable and progressive way.

I enjoyed supporting Mark and Karl during their interim tenure last season and I’m looking forward to working closely with the staff, players and supporters this coming season to help build an environment that gives the club the best possible opportunity to succeed.”

Further announcements regarding the new appointments within the football structure will be made in due course

Our club volunteers have recently undertaken accessibility training as part of our new Audio Descriptive Companion initiative, supported through funding from the Football Supporters’ Association. The programme is another positive step towards making our club more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible for all supporters.

The training has equipped volunteers with the understanding and practical skills needed to better support fans with visual impairments and improve the overall matchday experience. Through the Audio Descriptive Companion initiative, we are helping remove barriers so every supporter can feel more connected to both the game and our club community.

A huge thank you to the Football Supporters’ Association for their support of this initiative, and to our fantastic volunteers for their continued dedication to making football accessible for everyone.

More information on the initiative can be found at Fans for Diversity fund: Audio descriptive training at Ashington – Football Supporters’ Association

By Brian Bennett

Ashington Football Club’s recently appointed manager Marc Ellison admitted that he has begun the close season feeling in ‘uncharted waters.’

Ellison, along with skipper Karl Ross, was placed in interim charge of the Colliers in late January after Nick Gray and his assistant Liam McIvor left the club by mutual agreement.

The Woodhorn Lane outfit were fifth from bottom of the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League, two points above the drop zone but under Ellison and Ross, Ashington won seven and drew four of their remaining 16 games.

Ellison was named as the permanent boss – his first ever role in management – less than 24 hours after Ashington had cemented a 6-3 victory over Lincoln United on the final day of the season with the club finishing the campaign in 14^th place.

In his playing days, the midfielder would now been enjoying a well earned period of rest and recuperation from the game – but approaching a month in his new role, Ellison said: “It’s certainly not something I’m used to, being busy with football at this stage of the year. Normally by now I’ve switched off completely and am enjoying a good six-week break, so this is definitely uncharted waters for me. That said, it’s been good to stay busy — maybe not quite to the rhythm the wife was expecting — but hopefully all the work going on now will be worth it come the start of the season.”

He continued: “As everyone knows, there’s a fairly small pool of players in our area and a lot of clubs are competing for the same lads, so naturally conversations are taking place. But it’s important to remember we already have a really good squad here. We finished last season strongly and the priority is to keep hold of that group and build on what they achieved. All of our lads deserve that opportunity and they’ve all been offered the chance to stay, so hopefully that works itself out positively.”

He went on: “Having only recently come away from playing myself, I understand how important it is for players to switch off during the summer, and I also know good players won’t be short of options. Because of that, without trying to press too many buttons too early, I’ve spoken to a handful of players I’d like to bring in. But as I’ve said before, we’ve already got a strong group in place, so if we can add the right people and the right qualities, hopefully we can improve again this season.”

He went on: “I mentioned before how I’d found my excitement and enjoyment for football again towards the back end of last season, and that feeling hasn’t changed at all. I’m really looking forward to getting back to it in a few weeks’ time.”

By Brian Bennett

Liam Henderson’s strike against Blyth Town at Gateway Park was voted by the Ashington supporters as being their ‘goal of the season’ – only the forward found it a mind-boggling experience!

An honest and totally shocked Henderson said afterwards: “Listen I will happily take the award and I appreciate it but I do genuinely think I’ve got that award because it was one of our most recent goals. If you look back Craig Spooner had his own individual ‘goal of the season’ competition with probably three or four (goals) that in my opinion deserved the award.”

The competition closed on Friday. If not, 36 year-old Henderson would surely have had another contender included after his fired the Colliers in front in Saturday’s 6-3 win against Lincoln United. Describing the goal, a tongue-in-cheek Henderson said: “I’ve made a run from the half way line to get onto a ball played over the top by Ryan Donaldson and I think I was just tired at the end and swung a leg and luckily it’s gone in! As much as I joke about that, my goal contribution this year probably hasn’t been what it should be as a striker. Not just me but as a team we haven’t scored enough goals. So when you don’t score enough goals it puts more pressure on the team defensively because when we are not scoring or creating and then you’re conceding, it’s a hard way back.”

Gateshead-born Henderson continued: “We’ve had some really low times this season where you think ‘how do we come back from this?’ I love Nick Gray to bits and I would never have a bad word said about him but since Marc Ellison, Karl Ross and Ian Skinner came in we’ve had a bit of structure to us as a team and we’ve had a game plan. Again I want to stress that I’m not having a dig at Nick (Gray) who took me to Morpeth. I don’t want this to come across wrong because it’ll come out in words and it can be misinterpreted and I don’t want Nick to think I’m having a go at his managerial style because I would never do that but under Marc. Karl and Ian, the likes of Ryan Donaldson has taken to playing in defence like a duck to water because he’s got a bit of footballing intelligence. I also think that Chris Reid has been a massive signing. He was my choice for player of the year just in front of Ryan (Donaldson) and what a signing he has been for us. If we can pin him down for another year, then we have got a solid base.” Henderson’s second of the game which came ten minutes from time made the score 6-3 and he said: “It’s probably a long time since I scored a brace but it was nice because my wife and kids were there watching.”

By Brian Bennett

Karl Ross won the Ashington Supporters Player of the Season award on Saturday – and the long serving midfielder was taken aback when his name was announced.

The 27 year-old said afterwards: “I’ve got no words really. When you come here you want to be a part of the whole club and the fans have been excellent for me so it’s an absolute pleasure to get the award. I didn’t expect it to be honest. I haven’t had the greatest of seasons because I’ve been out injured and had a couple of red cards so it means a lot to me.”

Meanwhile Ross who is based in Cramlington, thought the Colliers produced some of their best football of the campaign in their 6-3 success against Lincoln United at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday: “Obviously, it was one of those games where we were disappointed with some of the goals we conceded but then we’ve scored six so we can’t really complain,” he added, “I think we played some of our best football all season so that just shows when the pressure is off, we can put in performances like that and it was an absolute pleasure to part of it today.”

Presentations were made to groundsman Scott Robson and Chairman of the supporters Ian Reid before the awards to the players.

By Brian Bennett

Tributes have poured in following the sudden passing of a former director and football secretary at Ashington Football Club.

A family man as well as a passionate football supporter, Brian Robson died at the end of last month aged 63.

Lewis Robson, Brian’s elder son, 28, said: “Dad got diagnosed with stage four lung cancer on March 13 and passed away on the morning of March 30 at NSEC (Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington).

Brian who was born in Ashington, worked for Piramal (formerly Searle) for 31 years as an engineering stores co-ordinator before he moved to AkzoNobel in Ashington carrying out the same role for 11 years.

He was a mad keen supporter in footballing circles with England, Newcastle United and Ashington all of whom he followed home and away and was planning to go to the 2026 World Cup in the United States – where he already had a ticket for the final.

Brian was a season ticket holder at Newcastle United for over 40 years and was operations manager at Cramlington Juniors where he organised Sportsman’s dinners – a task he also did for Ashington Football Club.

Lewis added: “Dad massively supported me. He was the biggest influence in my life. It was  always me and him with the football as he took me to training in rain and snow with late nights and early mornings, whilst with my younger brother Alex, dad supported him with his music and rock concerts. Dad had nothing left on his bucket list – anything he wanted to do he would do it and he lived life to the full. He went to four European championships with England and it would have been to three World Cups– Quatar, Russia and the US as well as to countless nation league games and friendlies.”

Garford Beck manager of the England fans’ football team said: “The first time I met Brian was in the departure lounge at Stansted Airport on 14^th October 2008. We were going to watch England play Belarus in Minsk. I said to him I’ve got a fans match tomorrow in Minsk do you fancy giving me a hand and we hit it off straight away and became firm pals. I got him involved with the fans team and made him assistant manager. I also got to know his family. It was almost 20 years of almost brotherly love and people often asked if we were brothers. We had such a good laugh together and were there for each other. The last time I saw him was in Tirana in Albania in November last year but we kept in touch by phone. I am based in London but I am travelling up for the funeral. I shall miss the laughs and camaraderie we shared – a bond broken only by his untimely passing.”

Brian Shotton, former chairman at Ashington said: “It is very sad and a massively untimely death. Brian had a lot more to give, not just to his family and friends but what he did following England everywhere as well as Newcastle United. Brian didn’t want to make a fuss, so not many of us knew about his illness and as much as it is sad, it’s also a blessing that he didn’t suffer for too long. I worked closely with Brian for a number of years and he contributed a lot to Ashington Football Club and we’ll continue to recognise that as we have done with others – and we’ll mark his passing with the wake here on the day of his funeral. There was also a minutes’ applause for Brian before our home match against Heaton Stannington which was a nice moment.”

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery – who was chairman at the Woodhorn Lane club when Brian was football secretary said: “I’ve know ‘Pop’ since we were kids. He was a smashing friend then and has been a smashing friend since. He didn’t have a bad word for anyone and was ready to help when needed. Brian lived his life for his family and his football. He was a lad with a great sense of community spirit. He never forgot his roots and was a living encyclopaedia on football cliches. He was always great craic and always in a decent fettle. Brian will be a huge miss.”

A funeral service for Brian was being held at the Northumberland Woodland Burial and Crematorium at Bockenfield, Morpeth on Wednesday of this week.

By Brian Bennett

Liam Henderson notched a brace in Ashington’s 6-3 win over Lincoln United on Saturday – but the striker revealed after the game that he is mulling over his future.

The 36 year-old said: “I don’t know what I’m doing yet in terms of retirement. I haven’t made my mind up but I’m not getting any younger and times with my kids are precious. Listen, you are going to go through tough times but bearing in mind we’ve had a terrible season in terms of scrapping down the bottom, it’s the highest place we have finished in the Northern Premier League table – the best the club have ever done at this level – so has it been a successful season? It depends and everyone draws their own conclusions to that. I have thoroughly enjoyed more so the back end of the season but there are conversations to be had and if it was my last game then what a pleasure it was to sign off with two goals.”

Henderson who netted the first and last of his sides’ half dozen on Saturday added: “We probably had a bit of freedom to play with but that doesn’t always correlate to performances and Lincoln might have been on the beach. However, again because of the backroom staff, we have done our research; our background checks and if you could see what we went through before the game, then I can tell you that things came to fruition on the pitch.”

Ashington AFC are delighted to confirm our season ticket and matchday admission prices for the 2026/27 season will be frozen at the same prices as 2025/26.

As we prepare for another Northern Premier League campaign at Woodhorn Lane, we are pleased to offer great value once again – with our early bird season ticket offer returning and affordable matchday options for fans of all ages.

Matchday Admission Prices 2026/27
• Adults: £10
• Concessions: £6
• Under 16s: £4

Advance Purchase Prices (online up to 1 hours before kick off):
• Adults: £9
• Concessions: £5
• Under 16s: £3

Season Ticket Prices 2026/27
A season ticket remains the best value way to support the Colliers, covering 21 home league games including any pre season fixtures.

Ticket Type	Full Price	Early Bird Offer (until 31/05/2026)
Adult	£160	£140
Senior Citizen	£95	£85
Student (proof to be provided on collection)	£95	£85
Under 16	£63	£21

Under 16 Early Bird Special
As with last season, an Under 16s early bird season ticket is available for just £21 — that’s £1 per game!

Early Bird Deadline
The early bird window is now open and runs until 31/05/2026
Make sure you take advantage and save even more by buying early!

How to Buy
• Online: https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/package/asn2627st/ashington-afc-season-ticket-202627

Thank you for your fantastic support. We look forward to welcoming you back to Woodhorn Lane for another season!

By Brian Bennett

Ryan Donaldson scooped the coveted Players Player of the season at Ashington Football Club on Saturday night – and immediately paid a glowing tribute to one of his defensive team-mates!

It is widely regarded that to be the recipient of the Players Player trophy is the top award – and the 34 year old was delighted to receive it.

Donaldson said: “I’ve enjoyed my football since Marc Ellison came in as interim manager and it was really nice to be announced as the winner. To be fair, on the coach journey home after our 2-0 win over Brighouse Town, Marc told me that I had quite a few votes – so whilst it came as a surprise last week, it wasn’t today! You spend most time with your team mates – you train twice a week and every weekend you’re with them and you build up a relationship over the course of the season. We’ve had good times and we’ve had bad times but you look back now and this is why you love playing the game – you wouldn’t do it if you didn’t enjoy it.”

Longbenton-born Donaldson then eulogised about his defensive partner Chris Reid: “I’ve got to give credit to Chris (Reid) because when I first moved into defence, I played with the twins, Rory and Harry Powell either side of me and I don’t think I helped them as much as I could have done. Then Chris came in and he’s really helped me a lot because he talks me through the game and playing alongside him has made me a better centre half. He’s played there all of his career – left back and centre half and he’s been brilliant. He’s only been with us for half a season but he got my vote for the award.”

Donaldson who is based in South Gosforth added: “I probably still see myself as a midfielder but the way we play, I do enjoy it at the back apart from if I come up against a big centre forward like Liam Henderson when you’ve got to keep your wits about you but I’ve really enjoyed it. I think as you get older, it’s natural if you’re a midfielder to drop back and it’s less taxing on the body.”

Ashington secured their NPL status last week at Brighouse – which came as no surprise to Donaldson who added: “It dragged on a bit – longer than we wanted it to as we had a couple of opportunities last month to cement it. Although it’s easy to say it now, since the end of February, I was really confident that we were going to stay up because there were signs that we were getting better and when we played well, we were a really good team. I think when everyone was fit, that spine of Chris Reid, Karl Ross and Liam Henderson – when we have got that – we are a really good team and so it proved.”

Donaldson acknowledged the support from the fans: “Today you could say there was nothing on the game but they’ve stuck with us all the way,” he said, “With it being the last game of the season you want to give them (the supporters) something back and we’ve totted up the club’s most ever points in this league. We haven’t really given anyone a good hiding – it got a bit tetchy in the second half today when it went to 5-3 – but we deserved to win the game.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington pulled the curtain down on their season with an eye catching 6-3 win over Lincoln United at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday – then less than 24 hours later, announced Marc Ellison as the club’s new manager!

In late January, Ellison and Karl Ross were appointed to take over team affairs during the interim period after Nick Gray and his assistant Liam McIvor left the club by mutual agreement.

At the time, the Colliers were fifth from bottom of the East Division of the Northern Premier League table only two points above the drop zone.

The Wansbeck outfit blew away the relegation clouds once and for all when they secured a 2-0 victory over Brighouse Town last week and after the conclusion of the league campaign, have finished in 14^th place.

Ellison was delighted to accept the post and said: “I mentioned in my first interview as interim manager that management was something I’d thought about, but not something I was necessarily expecting. This situation gave me the chance to dip my toes into the water and see how I felt about it. I can honestly say I’ve absolutely loved it. I haven’t looked forward to football on a Friday night like I have over the past few months for a long, long time. It’s probably made the decision to retire from playing a lot easier than I thought it would be. There were times I wondered if I might regret it, but in all honesty, I haven’t really missed it. My body certainly hasn’t, and like I’ve said, I’ve really enjoyed this side of the game and the different challenges that come with it.”

He continued: “To be given your first job in management at a club like this is a real privilege. The set-up, the fans, the group of players, and everyone behind the scenes make it a special place to be and to enjoy your football. I’m obviously delighted and really excited. I’d like to think I’m on the same wavelength as the committee, directors, and supporters in terms of what we want and what we need to keep improving as a football club.”

He went on: “Over the past three months, yes, I’ve picked the team, but I’ve said many times – it’s been down to the players. They’ve performed well enough to give me this opportunity, and I’m very grateful for that. Here’s to a positive 26/27 season. Let’s keep pushing as a club and as a community to be even better.”

Ashington chair Nicola Sanders-Cooper said: “Marc has shown remarkable leadership and dedication during his time as interim manager and we have full confidence in his ability to guide us into the next chapter.”