By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner says he knows his outfit will face a tough test when
they make the short trip to face Morpeth Town at Craik Park on Saturday (3pm kick off).

The boss previewing the friendly said: “It is a game we will look forward to – going in
against a team who operate higher up the pyramid than ourselves. The pitch will suit our
lads because we’ve got some good technical players and the bounce and the roll will be
true. However we know it will be a tough test but I think we are at the stage where we
are looking for that test.”

He continued: “There are some familiar faces in the Morpeth camp and some people
who I get on well with and I think it will be an excellent game for us. I think it will be a
good game because I think they will cause us problems – but I’d like to think we’ll go
there and cause them some problems as well.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC is delighted to announce the appointment of two more members to the managerial staff at Woodhorn Lane.

And in doing so, the Colliers will have a unique three pronged team as manager Ian Skinner, his assistant Andy Coyles and now newcomer Ritchie Hill are all ‘A’ licensed coaches.

The other appointment sees ‘keeper Karl Dryden – who had an outstanding season between the posts last season – taking on the additional role of goalkeeping coach.

Skinner said of Hill: “I was looking to bring another member of staff into the coaching team and I spoke to a number of people, including Ritchie and I felt he was the best fit. He’s experienced; his knowledge is excellent and he’s been involved in the professional game in and around the academy system with Middlesbrough; he’s been at Spennymoor in the National League and with Consett in the Northern Premier League – the league we are going into. He has a good working relationship with Andy Coyles so integrating him into the team was probably easy.”

He continued: “Ritchie has been with us now for a number of weeks but wanted to come in and have a ‘soft and gentle’ introduction. His practices are good; the players like him and his man management is good. I’m not sure there’ll be many management teams at our level – and far further up – that are as qualified as ours in terms of Andy, Ritchie and myself – all of us being ‘A’ licensed coaches and I think that speaks volumes for what we are trying to do. When people look at us and sometimes criticise us for the way we are trying to play and the level we are playing at, I think sometimes it’s a disservice to all of us who have worked at the top end of the game and I believe that we can create an environment here that the players will flourish in.”

Of Karl Dryden, Skinner said: “Being a senior goalkeeper, we asked Karl to take on the responsibility of also being goalkeeping coach which is a specialist position. We felt rather than bring a third party external person in, that it was probably right to offer that opportunity to Karl – which he wanted to take – and we are delighted with his decision to accept. It will certainly not mean that this role will impact on his playing career – he’ll still be seen as a player first and foremost. When we let the goalkeepers break off for a small time during training he’ll lead their development and we’ll probably try and bring one or two younger goalkeepers in to work with him so we are always planning for the future.”

Hill said: “I’m delighted to be part of such a big club with so much history and I didn’t need any persuading to join. Initially the approach came from Andy Coyles whom I worked with at Consett last year and then after a brief conversation with manager Ian Skinner it was an absolute no brainer and I’m thrilled to be on board. The group of lads here are very honest and hungry to progress and improve both as individual players and as a group, so it’s been a doddle really. Their application and commitment is first class and the last couple of weeks have been a joy.”

Dryden said: “I’ve played in the Northern League for 17 years and for me, the role of being a goalkeeping coach is an extension of playing. I’m 35 (years old) now and not getting any younger! Now that Ross (Coombe) has come in, it’s being able to go to training and having the ability to go to one side predominantly just to work on something technically ourselves before coming back into the session at the end.”

He continued: “I’ve got my level two qualification from when I did my scholarship years ago and being goalkeeping coach is something I’ve always thought about doing. It’s never actually cropped up until now and when the manager (Ian Skinner) asked me, I was more than happy to agree to do it.”

By Brian Bennett

For Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner there was far much more to admire from the 2-0
victory over Bedlington Terriers on Wednesday night than the result.

Skinner – who gave starts to a plethora of youngsters for the first 55 minutes of the
game – said afterwards: “The first half team tonight was very much about the fact that we
have got a crop of youngsters who we feel we can develop. They may not all be ready
for the ‘here and now’ but credit to them. Other than Charlie Exley – who was playing his
first pre season match tonight because he has been on holiday – plus Ross Coombe
who has also played at the level which we are going into; Jordan Summerly and Yannick
Aziakonou and a little bit of experience with Danny Craggs, we blooded six youngsters
all at the same time. I include Max Emmerson in that half a dozen because he is still a
young boy and he has been out almost 24 months so to see him back out on the pitch
was a huge plus. I thought they all applied themselves well in the first half and tried to
carry out the way we wanted to play.”

He continued: “There are still lots of things to look at and work on, in particular being a
little bit braver on the ball but for 55 minutes I thought they were really good and should
be pleased especially the younger ones, four of whom were only 18 (years of age).
They’ve gone up against a good second division Northern League team in Bedlington
Terriers – who were in the play offs last year – and have held their own and matched
them. I would have liked to have left them on the pitch longer if I’m honest but we had to
get some minutes into the other lads. We were however conscious that we had trained
the previous night so we didn’t want to overload the players who came on for the final 35

minutes with an eye on the Morpeth game on Saturday. I thought it was evident when
we made all of those changes that there was a little increase in tempo and probably a
little bit of a better understanding in what we are trying to do but that comes with
experience.”

The boss also took time out to praise striker Dan Maguire: “I thought the first goal was
very good,” he said, “It was a great move – probably one off the training ground which is
always nice and this system is bringing the best out of Dan (Maguire). He scored two at
Whitley Bay on Saturday – and he could have had three – and he’s made one tonight for
young Mason who I thought finished it off fantastically well then for our second goal
Scott Heslop has taken the shot on early and it’s taken a big deflection. Some of our
play was really good and we fashioned some really good chances and being super
critical we should have scored one or two more.”

He went on: “All of these pre season games which we play are geared around our start
to the campaign on August 5. It’s about minutes in people’s legs; getting the players up
to match sharpness; getting them to understand what we are asking them to do; getting
them to understand the structure whilst sticking to the process and the principals in
terms of how we are trying to play which is vastly different to how we played last year.
We just feel we have come up with a way of playing that suits the group; gets the best
out of them and at the minute with every game which goes by, it looks a little bit more
embedded. We have got a group of talented footballers and historically if you go back
over the seasons since I returned to the club, I have always looked to try and recruit
talented footballers because of some of my philosophies and beliefs in how I would like
to play the game.”

He concluded: “All in all it was a fantastic work out and I say a big thank you to
Bedlington – who I thought were excellent. They tried to play the game in the right way
which is pleasing to see and it was a very worthwhile exercise.”

By Brian Bennett

The Northern Premier League released the new fixtures last week – and Ashington
manager Ian Skinner was upbeat about them.

The Colliers start their campaign with a home tie against North Shields in the Emirates
FA Cup on Saturday August 5 – then a week later play their first game in the NPL for
over 50 years when they take on Brighouse at Woodhorn Lane: “It’s always nice to start
with a home game – and we have been blessed with two in a week in the FA Cup and
the league,” he said, “We’ll gather as much information as we can on Brighouse but the
early indications suggest that they are in a similar situation to ourselves whereby they’ve
had quite a turnover of players. However all we can do is to make sure we are prepared
and ready to go. We have a few more friendlies before that game so they should really
get us up to speed.”

Ashington take on neighbours Bedlington Terriers on Wednesday evening at Woodhorn
Lane (July 19) then go to Craik Park on Saturday (July 22) to pit their wits against
Morpeth Town: “If you include the Whitley Bay game, that’ll make it three games in
seven days for us and we’ll start to see more players getting minutes into their legs.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner – reflecting on his sides 3-2 win over Whitley Bay at Hillheads on Saturday – reckons he can ‘start to see things coming together’

Monsoon weather conditions coupled with thunder and lightening preceded the game but the contest got underway on time.

The Colliers were 3-0 up at one stage with a brace of goals from Dan Maguire and a trialist before the Seahorses netted twice in the final ten minutes through Josh Gilchrist and Cameron Brewis.

The new campaign is just over a couple of weeks away and Skinner re-iterated that he never gets fazed over pre season results. However he said: “It was an excellent workout against Whitley Bay today but the most pleasing aspect for me was that I can see how things are coming together a little bit in terms of how we are trying to play which is slightly different from last season. There were lots to appreciate in terms of the structure and process as well as the principals which we are trying to apply.”

He continued: “I thought Whitley Bay began the brighter of the two sides and they should have taken the lead after three or four minutes when it was probably harder to hit the bar – which they did – rather than score. After that we grew into the game, netted a good goal through Maguire – and after that I thought we looked relatively comfortable.”

He continued “Second half we began well, added a second goal – again from Maguire -then started to make changes – and we tried to do these in smaller chunks because it does disrupt the flow. A young trialist who has just been released from Carlisle came on and scored our third but from 3-0 up I was slightly disappointed with the two goals we conceded. We have worked quite a bit now on what we call the ‘build up phases’ where we get the ball and play and that was really pleasing. We haven’t done too much about the final third or working out of possession which was probably evident today and I would have liked us to have shown a bit more game management but as I stated last week, I don’t get hung up on results.”

Skinner then gave a glowing tribute to hosts Whitley Bay: “I’d like to thank them for their hospitality which was first class,” he added, “It was good to see their manager Nicky Gray whilst I had a lovely conversation with chairman Paul McIlduff and I’ve just spotted Jennifer Breakwell who is their treasurer out of the corner of my eye so I’ll go and have a word or two with her. I helped Whitley Bay out for a short spell some years ago and it is a place I like going to because of the relationship I have with the club.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager would like nothing better than his players to enjoy another exciting and mouth watering run in this season’s Emirates FA Cup.

The Colliers had some fabulous tussles and victories against the likes of Ashton United, Bradford Park Avenue and Stocksbridge Park Steels during the last campaign – all clubs higher up the footballing pyramid – before they eventually bowed out 3-1 away to Kings Lynn in the fourth qualifying round despite a gallant effort against a side from the National League North.

The draws were conducted last week and in the FA Cup, Ashington will be at home to North Shields in the extra preliminary round on Saturday August 5 with the winners facing an away tie against Stockton Town: “It’ll be tough,” said Skinner, “At least it means we will start the season at Woodhorn Lane which is always a bonus. Hopefully we can try and rekindle some of the magic we had in the FA Cup last season. Obviously it’s a competition which the players look forward to playing in; the club look forward to being involved in; the supporters love it – and it’s got its financial gains as well.”

In the Isuzu FA Trophy, the Wansbeck outfit will travel to meet Dunston UTS in the first qualifying round on Saturday September 9 with the victors away to either Liversedge or Nantwich.

“It will be the club’s first appearance in the FA Trophy for many years and again, it could not have been much tougher than an away game at Dunston UTS. However, at least we’ll have a bit of time to do a spot of homework on them and prepare for it.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington started their pre season warm up games with a 7-2 defeat away to Ebac Northern League first division newcomers Birtley Town on Saturday.

But manager Ian Skinner has re-iterated that he does not get hung up on results from friendlies – as he tinkers with his formation and style of play: “First of all I’d like to say a big thank-you to Birtley for their hospitality,” he said, “They have got a fantastic set up with great facilities and I’ve got a lot of time and respect for their management team of Paul Bryson, Foss and Robin Falcus who I know personally. We had a few missing for holidays and we had five trialists who played who we wanted to have a look at. Birtley looked to be slightly ahead of us in terms of preparations which led to the outcome we got and they were the better team in my opinion across the 90 minutes.”

Scott Heslop scored both Ashington goals.

Skinner continued: “Of the seven we conceded – and I haven’t watched them back yet – at least four were really, really poor individual errors so four of them (goals) were avoidable. We went in 4-2 down at half time after what looked like a really ragged disjointed first half if the truth be known. Second half we looked better. We started brightly; we dominated the ball and had a goal disallowed. We hit the post twice then the Birtley ‘keeper has made three good saves – so we had a real 20 minutes spell where we created more chances – albeit we didn’t take them. However a slightly disappointing thing was the manner in which we conceded two goals in the closing stages.”

He added: “I knew Birtley would be well organised and be fit and have a way in which they would play. It will be a tough place for lots of teams to go to and I’d go as far to say that they will be my surprise package in the first division of the Ebac Northern League this coming season – not just because they beat us – but because what I know about the management team; the club – and behind the scenes I get on really well with Scott Brown who I think is vice chairman there. I know they are a team very similar to ourselves who work on a self generated income model but they have a good group of tight knit lads who want to work hard for each other.”

He went on: “Pre season is about players getting minutes into players legs and I’ll not get hung up on results. I did an interview last year when I said results don’t really matter (in pre season). We went to Alnwick and won 10-0 and everybody started getting excited. ‘Practice what you preach’ or ‘change your speech’ is something I use quite often. Yes there were some things which I was disappointed with today but there were other things I was pleased with too and probably the most pleasing aspect is that everybody seems to have come through unscathed. We’ll train twice this week then prepare for Whitley Bay away on Saturday (July 15) – but the whole ethos around our pre season programme this year was to get as many tough games as we possibly could.”

Meanwhile Skinner is looking to add to his squad: “Things have been quiet on the incomings front,” he said, “We’re probably looking to bring one or two more players into the squad but they’ll have to fit into the way we want to play and have to have the right character for what we are looking for.”

By Brian Bennett

It’s two months since Ashington clinched promotion to the Northern Premier League – and although manager Ian Skinner announced at the Presentation Evening that he would like every member of the squad to remain with him ‘on the journey’ – due to a variety of reasons it was inevitable that a number would move on.

Now the Woodhorn Lane boss – whilst welcoming the new arrivals at the club has publicly chosen to say a fond farewell to the lads who have left: “I think it is only fair that we pay tribute to the roles which they played both last season and beyond,” he said, confirming that eight had departed Woodhorn Lane.

The boss then spoke individually about the eight:

Ben Harmison: Ben was our top goal scorer as well as captain and he played a massive part at both ends of the pitch for us. Unfortunately due to his work, his other sports as well as family commitments, the travel was probably going to prove too challenging for him. To his credit Ben was disappointed that he found himself having to step away and he has made the offer that he will dual register and if we are ever short and he is available he would be more than happy to come and help the club out – so that’s always a positive.

Robbie Dale: Robbie was a revelation at centre back last year. He ended up playing there at the start of pre season and also at the start of the season proper when we had a number of injuries. He said he would do a job for us in the short term and he did so well that he ended up playing most of his games there. He gave us that calmness and experience at the back; his reading of the game was brilliant and his understanding was different class and he’ll be a big miss around the place.

Andrew Cartwright: ‘Carty’ was huge for us at right back last year. He was a good leader in the dressing room and was great on the pitch both in and out of possession and was very much a bit of a modern day sort of full back. He offered us lots going forward in attack but was also good at defending in one versus one situations. He had won promotion with North Shields the previous season and I knew when I signed him that if we achieved our goal (promotion), he wouldn’t be able to continue on the journey with us.

Dean Briggs: Dean became a focal point for us and got his love back for the game – and had that real hot streak where he scored all sorts of goals. His career path took him to Dubai but when he came back, he never really found that spark again and sometimes a fresh start is what a player needs. I think he’d be the first to admit that towards the back end of last season he became a little bit stale and wasn’t the player that we knew of old so a move may just reignite him to get him back to the levels which he is capable of.

Paul Robinson: ‘Robbo’ was another player we knew that come the end of the season he would move on. Paul has got a large contingent of very close friends who play for Newcastle Blue Star so we were always of the opinion that he would have a season with them. I think supporters saw at the back end of the campaign how brilliant he was for us. There was always a joke between Paul and myself that if Ashington could get a 3G pitch or if he could just have the winter off then we could prolong his career even further. He’s another player who goes with our blessings.

Luke Salmon: Luke probably didn’t play as much as he would have liked last season but again we need to remember the contribution he has made to the club over a long period of time. This was his second spell with us and ‘what you see is what you get’ with him. Luke gives nothing short of 100 per cent and scored a couple of important goals for us in games last season. We wanted to keep him but we understand his reasons for finding a move with regular football.”

Adam Johnson: Adam had to use lots of his holidays from work to get time off to play football and it was a challenge for him to play in the Northern League. Obviously our step up to the NPL and the amount of travelling involved would have ruled him out of too many games. It’s disappointing for us but Adam has got himself a great move back to Blyth Town which is his home town club. I wish him all the best – and I’m sure he’ll score lots of goals for them.

Ryan McKinnon: When Darren Lough broke his nose at Bishop Auckland, Ryan got into the side. He played in the inter step play off game at Glossop and was excellent – and never let the club down when he did play. He probably wanted more game time but when he looked at the Lough/Dale partnership, it was too good of a one to break up and Ryan didn’t quite force his way in. He was another player who gave everything for the cause and was a good lad to have around the place and we wish him all the best at Consett. Skinner continued: “It’s with a touch of sadness that we lose those eight players – and possibly one or two more for similar reasons which I have alluded too – but one thing I would say is that every one of them played their part in getting Ashington Football Club to where it wanted to be. They leave with a heavy heart after being part of what was a fantastic group last year – and will go down in history after getting this club out of the Northern League. I wish them all the best in where their footballing journey takes them – but one thing which is for sure is that they will always be welcome at Woodhorn Lane.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC’s new forward Cameron Gascoigne admitted that he garners his footballing inspiration from a family member who is World famous.

Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne was a fans favourite especially during his career in the 1980’s with Newcastle United and also England where he won 57 caps.

Now 21 year old Cameron has revealed that it was his Uncle Paul who taught him how to play football from an early age – and added that he is constantly in conversation with him: “As soon as I could walk, my Uncle Paul was the one who took me out, got me a football and taught me how to play,” he said, “He encouraged me and gave me the love for the game and as I grew older, I viewed all of the games from the Euros and the World Cup when he played – and just watching him inspires me to go and be the best that I can.”

Cameron continued: “He’s always on the phone to me and I ring him pretty much after every game to tell him how I have got on. He gives me some feedback and it’s good especially when I know he’s been and done it at the highest level. My favourite goals which he scored were his stunning free kick for Spurs in their FA Cup semi final against Arsenal in 1991 and the other was for England against Scotland in Euro 1996 – which is just magical and a joy to watch.”

By Brian Bennett

Cameron Gascoigne says he is excited after putting pen to paper for Ashington last week.

For the past two years, Gascoigne – a forward – has been with Ebac Northern League first division outfit Newcastle Benfield joining them after he had just celebrated his 19^th birthday.

But the Gateshead-born player admitted that when he received a phone call from Ashington, he was ‘immediately interested’ in a move: “I had two good seasons at Benfield and enjoyed my time with them. However as soon as I got the call from Ashington, I was immediately interested because I felt it was time for a new challenge and I thought the move was right for me in terms of where I wanted my career to go. Ashington’s ambitions are really high after being promoted to the Northern Premier League and there is talk about them hoping to make the play offs come the end of the new campaign – and from what I have seen of the squad, I think that can be possible.”

He added: “Ashington are a huge club in non league circles. They have a big history and when Benfield played them home and away last season, the support towards their players is always amazing. I’m excited and really looking forward to joining a club who have got ambitions and who want to push on.”

Meanwhile Gascoigne was full of praise for Newcastle Benfield: “As soon as I rang manager Paul Brayson, he said the club would never stop me from wanting to play at a higher level. They have been excellent and I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me after I came into the Benfield set up as a young lad.”