By Brian Bennett

Alan Brown celebrates a milestone birthday today – and a group of his friends were more than happy to send him heartfelt messages of congratulations.

Now aged 70, Alan continues to devote hours of his time as the long serving logistics manager at Ashington Football Club where he was presented with the Club Person of the Year award at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Former chairman of Ashington FC Brian Shotton said: “It was probably the early 1990’s when Alan first took on the role of logistics manager. He returned when Stephen Harmison came to the club as manager around 2015 and continued in the role when Ian Skinner was team boss – and the rest is history. Alan shows fantastic commitment. He’s not just the kit man – Alan and George Fitton spend time here at the club every day. I’ve always said that football always bridges the age gap and although Alan is nigh on 30 years older than me you wouldn’t think it because we’ve got so much in common. He’s a dear friend as well and the club couldn’t do what it does without him.”

Former manager Ian Skinner said: “Alan is one of the unsung heroes really. He is somebody who I have known for a very long time. I knew Alan as a young boy and our paths crossed again when his son David came to play football in one of the initiatives I was part of. I came to Ashington FC with Stephen Harmison and Stephen asked Alan to come along and get involved and help out as the logistics manager. From that moment onwards, we’ve spent a lot of time together through Stephen’s reign as manager then when I came back to take the role on. Alan is one of those who dedicates hours and hours and never wants anything for it. He’s the heartbeat of the football club. He’s here seven days a week and always finds something to do and without people like Alan, the football club wouldn’t be in the position it finds itself in today in terms of keeping on top of everything and he’s one of a band of volunteers that the club are lucky to have. He deserves all the credit – not that he’ll ever take any – and probably that’s part of the reason why even to this day I meet up with him and see him out of the respect I have for him. Because of the friendship we have and all of the work he does for the football club I think it’s nice to go and see him and have a drink with him. We have a strong friendship and long may that continue – and long may he continue to do a sterling job for the football club.”

Karl Ross captain of Ashington FC said: “I speak on behalf of all the lads when I say that we think Alan is an absolute legend. I don’t think many people realise how much effort and how much commitment he puts in every week. Even for training on Tuesdays and Thursdays we get to the ground and our kit is already hanging up for us and the way he sets things up it’s literally like being at a professional club. Alan is the heart and soul of the club and it’s an absolute pleasure to have him around every week.”

Keith Grant a long time friend of Alan said: “I grew up with Alan at St Benedict’s School in Ashington. He was a couple of years older than me and he was head boy. We played football together at U18 level for youth clubs at St Benedict’s then later on in the Welfare League when he was at the Northern. When I went to Ashington FC as manager, Alan helped out behind the scenes with the late Alan Hayton where they used to mark the pitch and put the nets up. When I went to Morpeth Town FC, Alan came as well where he was the physio. He was also involved in Sunday morning football for so long that he knew all of the players whilst he’s also a member of one of the teams who enter the weekly quiz which I run at the Ashington RAOB club. Alan gets on with everybody and will do anything to help – and I’ve never heard a bad word said against him from anybody. He’s a really nice fellow.”

Another friend Adam Nichol said “Alan is a top bloke who I’ve known for quite a while now. We golf together and we are in the same the quiz team at the Ashington RAOB on a Monday evening. Alan will help anybody. He puts in a lot of hours at Ashington FC behind the scenes which people don’t often see and I wish him all the best.”

By Brian Bennett

Nick Gray reflected on Ashington’s 1-0 defeat at Brighouse on Saturday and said that the players have got to keep believing in themselves if they are to turn the season into a successful one.

A goal in the first half by Jack Dando settled the contest in Brighouse’s favour and Gray said: “The previous week I thought we deserved something out of the contest against Stocksbridge Park Steels and I could say exactly the same again today but the bottom line is the result which says a 1-0 win for Brighouse. We had more entries in the final third than they did and our goalkeeper (Dan Staples) has probably had his easiest game for a long, long time. However their ‘keeper (Kyle Trenerry) has not had one shot to save so if that’s the case we’ve got to think about what we are doing. Winners aren’t nice people – they are ruthless, clinical and they don’t know when they are beaten. However, I cannot fault the application or effort from the boys today because it was there. I’d be the first to say if it wasn’t but then you’ve got to look at other aspects and I’ve been in the game long enough to know where we need to improve and where we need to tweak things.”

He continued: “I felt there were aspects we were good at today and there were some good performances but we’ve got to do things quickly because the first three points are the toughest to get. I could hear the reaction from the Brighouse dressing room and it showed how much the win meant to them. Consequently we’ve got to keep believing in ourselves to turn the season into a successful one.”

He went on: “I thought the first goal was critical and when the opposition say to you that you are the better side whilst it’s nice to hear, it means nothing because we have lost the game. It’s disappointing for everyone who has come down here today but I cannot dwell on the past – I’ve just got to look forward and learn from the past. We’ve got to work at things as quickly as we can because today was the start of an important period at the club with four games – three away and one at home – in ten days.”

Gray’s outfit had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the fourth minute but home stopper Kyle Trenerry denied Michael Ndiweni from the spot. Gray added: “I’ll take the blame for the penalty situation. To be fair I didn’t nominate a penalty taker beforehand which is something that I usually do. Michael (Ndiweni) has stood up and been counted, He has taken it; he’s hit the target and the ‘keeper has saved it – but there were 85 plus minutes remaining after that so I attach no blame on Michael at all – he probably wanted a goal for his confidence. When Brighouse took the lead, they hung onto it and all they did for their goal was to put the ball into a good area. They got scraps off it and scored.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Nick Gray made his first signing as Ashington manager last week when he brought in midfielder Harrison Clark from Blyth Spartans.

Clark put pen to paper in time for him to be included in Saturday’s home clash against Stocksbridge Park Steels where he started as a substitute.

And for Clark, who came on towards the end of what was a disappointing 2-0 defeat, it’s a case of him playing for his hometown team.

The 21 year old said about the move: “I’m delighted to get going to be fair. I’ve know Nick (Gray) since I was a toddler so he’s obviously someone who I trust – and he trusts me – so its nice to come in and hopefully help the lads out of a little bit of a tough spot. To enjoy my football, stay injury free and get minutes on the pitch is what I’m looking for and any little help that I can bring the team would be great.”

With seven minutes of the 90 remaining, Clark – who is based at Dudley – made his bow and he said afterwards: “It’s always nice to get your debut but it was tough with the result. Hopefully in the weeks to come we can click and turn things around.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

It wasn’t the dream start which Nick Gray and his assistant Liam McIvor had wished for.

Ashington’s new management team – in the dugout for the first time – looked on as the Colliers spiralled to a fourth consecutive defeat on Saturday against Stocksbridge Park Steels.

However despite the reverse, Gray is hoping that it will end up being a lucky omen for the future as he explained: “To be fair, I lost the first game I had in charge at my former clubs Seaton Delaval, Morpeth Town and Whitley Bay and we did alright after that so there’s a positive.”

Dissecting the contest, he said: “I thought there wasn’t much in the game at all in the first half. For me it was like a game of chess with a bit of nerves from both sides but we didn’t get the ball down and our play was too slow at times. We won a lot of first balls and if we didn’t win them, I thought we won a lot of second balls. We put our bodies on the line and application and effort wise, we couldn’t have asked any more from the players for the whole game – and if as a management team you are getting that then that’s a starting point.”

He continued: “Second half, Stocksbridge started really bright and well but we weathered that. Then we got on top and we’ve had a good half a dozen entries into the final third but haven’t got players in the box or in the right areas; selected the right choice or had the right belief – and that’s probably a word (belief) which we are looking at. We made substitutes to freshen things up and that was nothing against the players who were on the pitch because I thought they were all magnificent. For the first goal when a team are struggling for a little bit of confidence it is always key and you could see that a little bit. We were in the game then after the second goal, you could see that everyone was deflated.”

He went on: “Apart from the first ten minutes of the second half, I thought we were the better side. However I said to the lads that it’s a new era and we’ve just got to get our first win and the sooner we get it then we’ll be on track. I’ve heard that we’ve missed Connor Thomson. You can’t change the past but you can look towards the future and that’s what we’ve got to do. I thought there were some good performances today and you could see at the end that the lads were gutted. It’s a starting point and we’ve now got a free midweek which will be good.”

Gray was adamant that Ashington should have ended with some reward: “It’s not the result we wanted but there were more positives than negatives and we now look forward to playing Brighouse away on Saturday which we know is a tough place to go,” he added, “However if we have the resilience which we had today and a little bit of luck we’ll be okay. This afternoon, it showed that goals change games and at the end I thought the scoreline flattered them (Stocksbridge) because overall I definitely thought we deserved a point but sometimes in football you don’t always get what you deserve.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

New assistant manager Liam McIvor says he cannot wait for Ashington’s NPL East Division home clash against Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday (October 12).

McIvor has been brought in by Nick Gray to be his number two with the pair previously working together at Ebac Northern League first division side Whitley Bay.

Throckley-born McIvor said: “When Nick asked me, I had no hesitation in saying yes. I like working with him because he’s a great manager and I’ve always said that when I was playing, I wished I had had someone like Nick in the changing room. He gets you up for games and I can understand why he has done so well in the past.”

He continued: “To be honest, Ashington is a massive club and has got loads of potential to go as far as the club want it to. I can’t wait for Saturday. It’ll be a very tough game – Stocksbridge are currently in a play off spot – but the league is wide open.”

The 41 year old added: “I watched Ashington against Sheffield recently and the result wasn’t the best but the lads never gave up and it was bit frustrating for them to go in at half time 2-0 down when they had controlled that game. However, it’s onwards and upwards and there were plenty of positives to take out of the 4-1 defeat.”

Nick Gray said: “I had Liam with me at Whitley Bay and he’s an honest, loyal and hardworking lad. Football is not rocket science and we are both on the same wavelength and have similar ideas.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray revealed that his proudest moment in football was eight years ago when he steered Morpeth Town to a 4-1 win over Hereford to lift the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium.

Recalling the unforgettable scenes, Gray said: “It was so special and is my proudest moment. There was a crowd of 48,000 inside Wembley and we were probably playing against the biggest favourites in Hereford. We watched them about 18 times. They had a lot of games and I even missed some of our own matches to take the opportunity to see them. Hereford had won the treble and I said to our lads ‘with no disrespect it’s like us being in the Northern Alliance League – because if we had won the NAL, we would have won the treble.”

He continued: “The Vase win was fantastic but the promotions with Morpeth Town were also great. To be fair it was important that we got out of the second division of the Northern League. We beat Brandon and Jarrow Roofing then drew with Seaham Red Star to win promotion on goal difference in the second year. Next up the ladder was the Northern League first division leading up to the Northern Premier League East Division followed by elevation to the NPL Premier Division. We were doing well and had hit a good streak then COVID kicked in in March and that’s when I decided to hang up my coach’s jacket. However, Ken Beattie the chair of Morpeth Town wanted to keep me involved at the club and that’s when the academy at the club came along.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington manager Nick Gray has called on the public to come out in force on Saturday (October 12) when the Colliers take on Stocksbridge Park Steels in their Northern Premier League East Division clash at Woodhorn Lane (3pm).

Gray – installed into the managerial hot seat last Sunday – will be in the dugout for the first time on Saturday and is hoping for a bumper crowd to come through the turnstiles and have the place ‘rocking.’

He said: “I firmly believe that they (the fans) can play a big part. If they get behind the players will it lift them? 100 per cent it will. I know attendances have been down but especially in this area if they see attractive football and they see people giving work ethic – although I’m not saying the lads haven’t been giving it – then they’ll come back. I would love to see the public out in their droves to support us. The club had a gate of 400 against Sherwood Colliery and during their run in the FA Cup run last year they got crowds of over 1.000. A lot of fans in Northumberland pick a game to go to – and I’d like them to come and watch us.”

He continued: “There is the International break so there are no games involving Newcastle United or Sunderland – and I would love to see Woodhorn Lane rocking. The lads will be giving 100 per cent effort and work rate and will get a lift from the supporters – and if you cannot play football on the Woodhorn Lane pitch in what is a great stadium, then there is no point in having a pitch like that. If the fans see that there is some structure and shape to our game – again I’m not saying that there hasn’t been – they can help the players and give them confidence.”

Tickets for Saturday’s match can be bought online on the following link:

https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/asn2425home06/ashington-afc-vs-stocksbridge-park-steels-fc

By Brian Bennett

Newly installed Ashington manager Nick Gray has targeted a place in the play offs come the end of the season.

Gray – who was announced as the new boss on Sunday afternoon – supervised his first training session at the club on Tuesday evening ahead of Saturday’s home clash against Stocksbridge Park Steels and he said afterwards: “Its easy to just say consolidate – but that’s a cop out for me. I look at the league table and there is not a lot in the games but we need to go on a run. I’m sure we will tweak and refresh things a little bit but if we can generate a good team spirit and a good work ethic plus a little bit of luck which you always need then who knows? No matter what age you are, you are in football to win games – and I’m a different person when I win a game of football opposed to if I lose one.”

He continued: “We’ve got to think positive. We are only nine points away from a play off spot and there are always going to be teams who pick up or drop off. Ashington has got the nucleus and the shell of going higher and being where Morpeth Town are now – in the premier division on the NPL – it all depends on how far they want to go. That said, it doesn’t come easy but I do think we have got to target the play offs. If we don’t get there then I’m confident that I would know what was needed to make sure that we are in the middle of the play offs next season because that’s what you have got to do – keep on learning.”

Gray began his managerial career at Seaton Delaval where he spent four years working alongside Jon McDonald who is now the manager of Dunston. From there he joined Morpeth Town and had a highly successful period of nine years during which he won promotions and the fabulous triumph over Hereford in the final of the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium in 2016.

After he left the Highwaymen, Gray had a three year break before joining Ebac Northern League first division outfit Whitley Bay where he was in charge for a period of two years.

Since leaving Hillheads in February, Gray has continued to watch matches in the area – including Ashington’s recent clash against Sherwood Colliery – until his appointment with the Woodhorn Lane outfit was announced on Sunday.

He said: “There are only certain jobs that I would go for because its got to be the right club for yourself. You’ve also got to have ambition. Although I had quite a few commitments, the club (Ashington) were keen to get me onboard and I agreed to take the job.”

By Brian Bennett

Paul Robinson, Gary Ormston and Andrew Cartwright have stepped away from interim management duties after Ashington appointed Nick Gray as their new boss on Sunday afternoon.

And Robinson said that it’s a really good opportunity for Gray to ‘put his stamp’ on things: “Ashington is a brilliant club and I think it’s a terrific job for the new manager to really drive it forward. We have a free midweek so it’s a good time for the new boss to come in and put his stamp on things.”

He continued: “I think the lads are ready for that. Results haven’t gone our way in the last three games. The first two were a little bit flat and disappointing but I’ve seen enough character and fight out there from the lads to see that there is still lots to play for. It’s early October with 33 league games left in the season and we have got more than enough in that dressing room to go on a run, pick up points and fight for the play offs which I think everybody wants.”

By Brian Bennett

Paul Robinson thought Ashington ‘possibly deserved a point’ despite going down 3-2 against Consett at the Belle View Stadium on Saturday.

After Marc Costello’s opener for the home side, Jack Camarda levelled from the penalty spot but the Steelmen got their noses back in front through Brandon Holdsworth before substitute Jake Jensen added a third.

Andrew Johnson reduced the arrears but Consett held on to take all three points.

Robinson who was in the dugout as part of the interim management team, said afterwards: “We had a careless start to the game but got back into it and deservedly levelled at 1-1. Then two sloppy goals in the second half have cost us but credit to the lads after that because they dug in and showed some good character. We pulled a goal back and could have got another which would have been an equaliser. Eddie Thomas has had a good chance and on another day we could have come away with a 3-3 draw.”

He continued: “We huffed and puffed and it was an okay performance if not our best but I thought we possibly deserved a point on chances at the end. It was disappointing but I’ve just thanked the lads for their efforts.”