By Brian Bennett

Andrew Johnson says he is ‘really happy’ to return to Ashington – after the news of him putting pen to paper for the Colliers was announced yesterday.

Johnson was with the Woodhorn Lane outfit as a teenager before he left nine years ago: “I’m really happy to come back to the club,” he said on Monday night, “It’s a nice thing to come full circle. I thought the time was right for me to return to the club and hopefully we’ll be trying to have a successful season.”

Following the departure of joint head coaches Andy Coyles and Richie Hill at Ashington last Wednesday, Gary Ormston – who along with fellow senior players Andrew Cartwright and Paul Robinson have been placed in charge as an interim management team – said: “We got wind of Andrew falling out of love with football and we got in touch with him. He was interested and said he fancied giving it a go especially with it being his hometown club where he grew up as a footballer. We looked at our forward line and thought we needed a bit of experience – so to it was a no brainer to try and get him in. We have got AJ onboard and although he’s probably not match fit, he will be in the squad and up for selection for tonight’s NPL East Division home game against Bradford Park Avenue.”

Ormston added: “Football turns around quite quickly. We were asked to look after this squad of players because we are quite close to them. It was also to help the club out so they can get the right manager in.”

Kick-off tonight is 7.45pm.

Ashington Football Club is delighted to announce the return of Andrew Johnson to his hometown club. After successful spells with West Allotment Celtic, Spennymoor Town, Morpeth, and most recently a brief stint at Newcastle Blue Star, Andrew brings a wealth of experience and quality to the squad. We are excited to welcome him back and look forward to seeing his impact on the pitch as we continue to build for the future. Andrew will be available for Tuesday nights home fixture when we welcome Bradford Park Avenue to Woodhorn Lane.

The signing of Andrew (AJ) provides evidence that the Club’s Interim Management Team have been granted full autonomy to strengthen the squad in response to ongoing injuries and player availability issues. This decision ensures that the team can remain competitive on the pitch while the club continues its search for a new permanent manager. The interim team has the full support of the board to make necessary adjustments, ensuring that Ashington can navigate this challenging period effectively and continue to perform at a high level.

Ashington Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of an interim football management team. As the club transitions, the interim management of Gary Ormston, Andrew Cartwright and Paul Robinson have agreed to support with ensuring stability and continuity on the field.

The board has expressed full confidence in the interim team to steer the club through this period, as it evaluates long-term options for the football management structure. The interim team will work closely with players, staff, and supporters to maintain Ashington’s competitive edge while honouring its community roots and proud footballing history.

Further announcements regarding the club’s long-term management plans will be made in due course as we continue to work towards building a strong and sustainable future for Ashington Football Club

Ashington Football Club is seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to take on the role of First Team Manager. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to join our club and help drive us forward.

The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of first team management, including coaching, match preparation, player development, and tactical planning. We are looking for someone who can work effectively within the club’s financial framework and in line with the club values. In addition to a commitment to achieving success on the pitch

To Apply:

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to recruitment@ashingtonafc.com.

Closing date for applications is Friday 13th September 2024

Ashington Football Club is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates.

All applications will be treated with the strictest of confidence and we invite early applications.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team.

Departure of Management Team

Ashington AFC can this afternoon confirm the immediate departure of Joint Managers Andy Coyles and Richie Hill.

We would like to thank Andy, Richie and their coaching team for the efforts they have given to Ashington over the time they have been here and wish them well for the future.

The club will now consider its options both in the immediate and longer term.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Andy Coyles was full of praise for his squad on Tuesday night after they registered their first win in the Northern Premier League East Division with a fabulous 2-1 result over previously unbeaten Garforth Town.

A beaming Coyles said afterwards: “It was our first league victory after four games but we’ve had an extremely bad case of luck regarding injuries. They haven’t been excuses but have been mentioned just to make the supporters aware of just how tough it has been. Over the last two to three games it has been physically and mentally challenging for the players but they have come here tonight, away from home and have put on a fantastic performance. Every game so far this season we have drawn reference to good spells but then we have let ourselves down – but not at any point in tonight’s game did the lads let themselves down. They were immense and thoroughly deserved their win.”

He continued: “We were again dominant in possession in spells in the first half where we had a lot of the ball but we just didn’t get our shots off – and that’s been a common theme over the last few weeks. The team talk at half time was quite an easy one – to maintain possession; to keep manipulating the ball but to get shots off on goal. We set numerous players targets in terms of how many shots we expected from them throughout the second half and it just goes to show what happens when you shoot and you let loose.”

The result lifted Ashington off the bottom of the table but Coyles said: “I deliberately haven’t looked at the league table. I may do that 10-12 games in. Garforth hadn’t lost in the league before tonight and they have played some really difficult teams. They had won two and drawn two so the fact that we’ve come away from home, lads have ‘knocked the pan in’ through the day from 9-5pm then travelled down here a couple of hours and put on that type of performance all I can say is a huge, huge well done to them.”

The Colliers are without a game on Saturday and Coyles added: “We’ll be training on Thursday and Saturday preparing for our home game against Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday (September 10). Again we have got to manage the load because people have got to appreciate what the lads are putting their bodies through. There are lads who are playing through quite significant injuries. That’s just because of where we are at – but it also shows how much respect these lads have got for the football club.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Andy Coyles said that a combination of missed chances and errors had proved pivotal as his side went out of the Emirates FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat against Crook Town on Saturday.

Paul Van-Zandvliet had given the Colliers the lead on the half hour mark but Crook levelled with quarter of an hour to go through Corey Nicholson before experienced striker Sonni Coleman headed a winner in stoppage time.

A clearly disappointed Coyles said afterwards: “Missing chances seems to be the common theme with us over the last two to three weeks. Today we were in front but squandered a couple of chances which have come back to haunt us. We had a game plan and take nothing away from Crook – they had a very dangerous set piece from a throw in – but I thought we defended and managed it really well for the majority of the game.”

He continued: “When they (Crook) equalised through an individual error they’ve then got the upper hand and where we are at the moment – having picked up two losses against Congleton Town and Dunston UTS last weekend – confidence is lacking a little bit. I thought we needed to manage the game better during the spells in which Crook had a bit of possession. We were a minute away from a replay and then unfortunately for us, we have made a second mistake deciding to play out in an area where it was tight and congested. Crook have got their tails up at this stage and are pressing with intent and purpose and at that point, we just needed to stick together and see the game out.”

He added: “Take nothing away from Crook – they were a difficult opponent for us today and made it hard for us at times, more so in the second half and in the end, they got their just rewards. I thought we controlled and managed the first half exceptionally well in terms of how we dominated the ball but second half we just couldn’t find our rhythm. We didn’t execute what we had done well in the first half and Crook, in the final stages of the game were better than us.”

He went on: “We really feel for the lads today – similar to when we were at Dunston, as we are having to select a few who are nursing minor injuries and a number of the lads on the bench are also suffering numerous injuries and niggles. It’s a tough one to take when we were in control for the majority of the game and so close to seeing the game out – I thought the lads played some really good football at times – but in the end we were beaten fair and square and hats off to Crook for progressing into the next round.”

He concluded: “A special thanks needs to go out to our supporters who have travelled down today and cheered on the lads right through until the end. As always they were loud and contributed to a good atmosphere.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Richie Hill has said that the Woodhorn Lane outfit face a ‘really hard game’ when they travel to the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield ground to meet Crook Town in their Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round clash on Saturday.

Previewing the game, Hill said: “It’s a big game for our club against a side who are in the first division of the Ebac Northern League and who have started the season very, very well. We’re expecting a really hard game but we’ll certainly not be taking things lightly and will give Crook the respect they deserve.”

He continued: “The match is one which all of the players and management are looking forward to and I hope our fans will support us in large numbers like they always do and be that 12^th man for us. It’s a game where we will have to be really ‘at it’ if we want to have a chance of progressing into the next round.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Richie Hill remained upbeat despite back to back defeats for his side in the Northern Premier League East Division.

The Wansbeck side went down 2-1 against Bishop Auckland in their first home game of the new campaign then after a run of three encounters in the Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Trophy, suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Dunston UTS on Bank Holiday Monday.

Dunston’s marksmen were Sado Djalo and ex Colliers striker Dale Pearson.

However Hill was very impressed with Ashington’s second half showing at the UTS Stadium and predicted that his outfit will be ‘absolutely fine’ over the course of the season and ‘win more points than they won’t.’

“I thought first half against Dunston we were disappointing with and without the ball,” he said afterwards, “I didn’t think we laid a glove on them to be fair and their ‘keeper hasn’t had anything to do. I’m not one for making excuses but at the moment we are suffering with quite a few injuries and today we had three or four players who wouldn’t normally have played because they were nursing knocks so credit to them.”

He continued: “We had a chat at half time and didn’t think we were doing what we are good at – like getting on the ball and getting certain people on the half turn  – and I thought second half we were excellent up to the final third. People were missing chances to shoot and we just weren’t clinical enough when we got into some good situations. Whilst the score was 1-0, I thought we got the upper hand and we had a chance – then they (Dunston) counter attacked us which led to their second goal which basically killed us and from there on it was always going to be difficult to get back into the game.”

For the start of the second period, Ashington introduced Paul Van-Zandvliet and Hill added: “Paul was involved in a very, very hard boxing match the previous night but I thought he showed some great character when he came on and made a big difference. Overall we’ve got to be competitive; improve on our first half display today and match our second half performance as well as being a little more clinical in the final third. If we continue to play like we did in the second 45 minutes we’ll be absolutely fine and we’ll win more points than we won’t.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington announced the signing of striker Michael Ndiweni last week with the former Newcastle United Academy player making his debut in Saturday’s 4-1 loss in the Isuzu FA Trophy against Congleton in Cheshire.

The 20 year old – who made his first team debut for the Magpies in November last year appearing as a second half substitute in a 4-1 win against Chelsea at St James’ Park in the Premier League – was with the club for eight years before being released at the end of last season.

On joining the Colliers, Ndiweni – a central striker – said: “I wanted to restart my career and go somewhere where I knew I would get good game time and show what I can do. After my first training session at Ashington, I wanted to sign for them. They are a good squad and the coaching is really, really good and I feel for me personally, it will be the best solution to my development to get better and to improve as a player.”

Being ineligible for the Emirates FA Cup tie against Bishop Auckland, Ndiweni – who was born in Leeds – carried out a watching brief. He took in the 1-1 draw at Woodhorn Lane followed by the Colliers’ 2-1 win in extra time in the replay at Heritage Park: “I was impressed by what I saw,” he said, “I know people will say that I’ve come from a top, top club and that its hard to find something similar – but I do really believe that the way the training sessions are conducted plus the way the team tries to play good football that I’ve made the right decision. The one thing I’ve missed is playing on a regular basis and we have plenty of games coming up. I just want to get into the rhythm and help the team as much as I can and hopefully show the fans and everyone else what I can do.”

Ashington joint head coach Richie Hill said: “Michael’s name was mentioned to me about eight weeks ago but he rightly so tried his skills at other clubs and all I wanted him to do was to come to our ground and be part of the training session because I know with the set up and changing room that we’ve got, and the level of training we offer the lads, it would tempt anyone to sign for us. I went to watch him once and he just looked an Ashington player. Technically he’s very good; he’s silky smooth and basically having spoken to his dad, the boy just wants to enjoy his football.”

Hill continued: “His dad said it was very important that he went to a club that would appreciate him; look after him and help develop him – and I keep telling Michael that at 20 years of age, the dream of him being a professional footballer hasn’t ended. As we move forward with him, I’m expecting him to be a big performer for us and to score goals. I’ve told him to go out onto the park and smile, enjoy himself and be himself and I thought at times today against Congleton he showed real class and real quality. I think his fitness levels are where they need to be but he just lacked that match sharpness at times today. I believe he will be a brilliant footballer for Ashington and I can’t wait to work with him.”