By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor has described the Easter Monday showdown against Heaton Stannington as being a must-win game for the Wansbeck side.

McIvor was speaking minutes after the Colliers had secured a share of the spoils from their Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division clash against Sheffield on Good Friday.

Ashington’s goals came from Josh Gilchrist and Craig Spooner.

The point was better than nothing, but the Colliers are still not safe from the drop and McIvor said afterwards: “Considering we were 2-0 down it was a huge point today. Survival is still in our hands – and the reality of the situation is that we have got to win against Heaton Stannington on Easter Monday because we don’t want to be going into our last game at Bradford Park Avenue needing to take anything from it in order to stay up.”

McIvor has asked the people of Wansbeck to provide backing from the terraces: “We need as many fans inside Woodhorn Lane as possible,” he said, “Newcastle United are not playing and the supporters can help us massively. They are absolutely unbelievable, and we need them to be behind us from the first minute to the last.”

Looking back at the 2-2 draw in Sheffield, McIvor said: “The first half was awful – everything that could go wrong went wrong. No-one was at the races. Second half we gave it a right go. We got a great start which brought us back into the game and then it was all Ashington. However, we still need to try and create something else because we rely on Craig Spooner and Josh Gilchrist too much and the rest of the team have got to chip in as well.”

McIvor also heaped praise on ‘keeper Ryan Catterick “Ryan pulled off two great saves for us in the second half,” he said.

Monday’s game kicks-off at 12 noon.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray says his players have got to ‘turn up’ for two big games over the Easter period following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Garforth Town.

The boss takes his side to face already relegated Sheffield FC on Good Friday before the Colliers host local rivals Heaton Stannington at Woodhorn Lane on Monday – but he is becoming increasingly frustrated not knowing what kind of display he will be see from his outfit: “We don’t know what we are going to get from the players and as a result we are getting Jekyll and Hyde performances,” he said after the visitors clinched all three points following an own goal by ‘keeper Ryan Catterick: “We seem as if we are going to turn the corner then we start to go back. Today there was nothing in the game and I didn’t think either team deserved to win it and it’s a hard one to take. Ryan (Catterick) has made a mistake and held his hand up but to be fair to Ryan he has done smashing for us since we signed him. However, I thought there were only about three or four players who did their jobs for us today – and you cannot win games of football with that. You’ve got to take responsibility yourself and I think that’s where the game is going a little bit. People always look to blame someone else, but you’ve got to look in the mirror first. Did we do enough to win the game? I don’t think we did but they (Garforth) got their noses in front, and we haven’t tested their goalkeeper nor did we use the extra man after they had their defender sent off.”

He continued: “They had two decent chances in the first half but for me on our home turf we’ve got to take the game to them. No disrespect but we’ve got a lot more to play for than them. We got into some good areas but made poor decisions, were poor with our passing and got caught up with poor offsides so it’s a disappointing day. Now it goes down to another week where you are thinking ‘what’s going to happen?’ We’ve got the quality to do it but at this time of the year it’s not about the quality – it’s about the mentality of winning games of football which will get you over the line and we have got to look at ourselves and see if we have got that.”

He went on: “We have a big weekend ahead of us. If we had got three points today, we would have been happier, but we have got two teams around us to play (Sheffield FC and Heaton Stannington) who are also fighting for points. Unfortunately, Sheffield have been relegated but that means nothing. I know they will be up for the game, and they will play with freedom. Our players have got to know the importance of next week and make sure they are ‘at it’ from the start. We had enough quality to win the game today but we didn’t do enough. That’s down to us as a unit and I’m really disappointed – but the league table doesn’t lie.”

Ashington played against ten men from the 53^rd minute when Harry Viggars was sent off and Gray added: “We didn’t make use of the extra man – it’s as simple as that. They filled holes whilst we didn’t move the ball or put three or four passes together. We weren’t aggressive enough, we just laboured, and we’ve got to get ourselves right. If we look after ourselves, we’ll be fine – but it doesn’t come easy.”

He concluded: “Squad wise Harrison Clark and Ryan Donaldson both returned after injury and hopefully there will be one or two more to follow.”

By Brian Bennett

Josh Gilchrist netted the goal 20 minutes from time which sealed three points for his side from their away clash against Liversedge at The Leading-Edge Clayborn Stadium on Saturday.

And the 22-year-old striker revealed that his 14^th goal of the campaign was probably one of the most important he has scored all season.

“It was a scrappy game,” said Wallsend-born Gilchrist afterwards, “There wasn’t much in it and to be fair to Liversedge they worked hard and done the basics well. They’ve pumped it up and put us under a bit of pressure, but it was important that we stayed in the game, and I knew if we got one chance it would be the one chance we need.”

Gilchrist described his goal: “Jamie Holmes has slipped the ball through to me and I went one on one in the box. I did a little step over, hit it early and managed to put the ball in the bottom corner – and I knew as soon as it left my foot that it was going in. It is probably one of the most important goals I have scored all season and brought us a massive three points although it doesn’t shake the table as much as we would have liked – but it’s in our hands.”

He continued: “If we keep picking up points which we can do – and we’ve got some important games coming up – then we’ll be fine. We’ve got Garforth Town at home on Saturday then face a massive two games against Sheffield and Heaton Stannington over the Easter weekend. We weren’t at our best today – all of the lads in the changing rooms know that – but it’s the sign of a good team when you are picking up points and haven’t played well.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor admitted that his sides’ clash against Liversedge on Saturday was ‘awful to watch’ – but said the 1-0 victory was a fantastic result in West Yorkshire.

Josh Gilchrist scored the vital goal in the 71^st minute of a game which will not live long in the memory of both sets of supporters: “It was a fantastic result,” said McIvor afterwards, “No one cares about how well you play when you are where we are in the table because it’s all about getting the three points. It was a huge win today because teams in and around us have picked up points apart from Consett. For everyone connected with Ashington, only when they see the other results will they realise how big the three points were for us today. Now we face another huge game at home to Garforth Town on Saturday. We are 14^th in the table but there’s only three points separating 12^th placed Grimsby Borough and 19^th placed Ossett United.”

He continued: “The game was terrible – the whole 90 minutes were awful to watch – but I’ll settle for that and take three points any day of the week. In the first half we got stuck and the ball was bouncing all over with no-one wanting to take responsibility. We couldn’t string three passes together and it was horrible to watch.”

He went on: “At half time the message to the lads was to try and relax and let the football do the work and to win those key moments in the final third. We talked about how one little bit of magic could get us a goal – and it happened.”

McIvor added: “Apart from the result, other positives for us today were that Marc Ellison returned to the side and got 90 minutes under his belt whilst Harrison Clark got back onto the pitch in the closing stages after being out of action for a month.”

Following on from our post last week regarding giving our fans the options to vote on our new kit, Ashington Football Club is proud to unveil sponsorship opportunities for our 2025/26 home shirt. We’re inviting local and regional businesses to be part of our historic club.

We’re offering three premium sponsorship positions:
• Front Shirt Sponsor – £8000 + VAT
• Reverse Shirt Sponsor – £4000 + VAT
• Sleeve Sponsor – £1,500 + VAT

As a non-league club run on a not-for-profit basis, sponsorship plays a vital role in keeping the heart of the community beating strong through football. Your support helps fund essential running costs, community support, ground improvements, and ensures we can continue to provide an inclusive club for players, volunteers, and supporters alike.

Partnering with Ashington FC is more than just brand exposure – it’s joining a proud club with passionate fans, deep local engagement, and big ambitions since 1883.

Your name, your brand, your business – on the shirt, in the spotlight, and at the heart of something special.

To discuss sponsorship opportunities, get in touch today:

Email: sponsorship@ashingtonafc.com
Phone: 07818 032 696

We’re excited to share the chance for you to choose our 25/26 home season kit! This year, we’ve honoured our heritage by incorporating our traditional stripes and colours into three designs. Now it’s your turn to weigh in!

⚫️ Design A – A nostalgic black and white stripe design that pays homage to our roots.

⚪️ Design B: A fresh take on our classic stripes, blending tradition with modern style.

⚫️ Design C: A refined, minimalist approach that keeps our beloved stripes front and centre.

Which design resonates with you the most? Cast your vote below.

The poll will close at 5pm on Friday 11th April 2025

Coming Soon

Ashington AFC - 2025/26 Home Kit

{{ row.Answer_Title }}

{{ row.Answer_Title }} {{row.tsp_result_percent}} % {{row.Answer_Votes}} {{row.Answer_Votes}} ( {{row.tsp_result_percent}} % ) {{ tsp_result_no }}

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray wasn’t being flippant when he said that he would have accepted a sub-standard performance from his side against Emley at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday – so long as they secured three points!

However, after seeing the Colliers trail at the break by a single goal, the boss got the best of both worlds. Not only did the Colliers turn the contest on its head to win the game 3-1 but they arguably gave their best 45 minutes of the season.

Gray had said last week that in the run in to the end of the season that his lads faced six cup finals. On Saturday they ticked the first one off and emerged with flying colours.

Albeit the game was spoiled by a strong wind – and for the second period Ashington who had the elements on their backs, played against a ten-man Emley side after their striker Joshua Ayres had been red carded in stoppage time in the first half.

Nevertheless, it was a beaming Gray who emerged from the dressing room to deliver his postmatch thoughts: “The most important thing was the result – and I’m delighted,” he said, “We’ve now played Emley twice in a month and they are a side who are in the play offs. They are a good outfit but if I’m being honest, we haven’t looked out of sorts with them as we’ve competed with them. They won at their place and we have won here. We were so desperate for the points that I would have accepted an awful performance and for us to be second best in exchange for a win which we got – and we thoroughly deserved it!”

He continued: “The wind was really strong and we tried to go with it in the first half but it didn’t happen. We gave a soft goal away which we’re disappointed about but despite going in 1-0 down at half time, I was still confident that we had an opportunity in the second half. In that first period, we had a couple of forced injuries but the lads didn’t feel sorry for themselves nor did it stop their rhythm. I always say its not about the players who aren’t there – it’s about the players who are there and each and every one of them today were fantastic.”

He added: “At half time we had a good opportunity but as we had both our centre halves on yellow cards we had to be careful and I told the lads that if we kept 11 players on the pitch we’d get our rewards. I also mentioned that a key issue was for us to be aggressive in the first 15 minutes and the full backs had to be higher up the pitch. We got the equalising goal which gave us the lift to go again and we kept on being aggressive for the entire half.”

He went on: “You can say that the sending off made a difference – however it doesn’t give you a divine right to win a game just because you are up against a team with ten men. I thought Liam Henderson led the line really well and he has given us a different dimension but I liked the way we took the game to them (Emley) and in the end, it was a thoroughly deserved three points.”

Gray gave a huge pat on the back to goalkeeper Ryan Catterick: “Our third goal scored by Ryan Wombwell was well worked,” he said, “but to be fair after that at 3-1, Ryan (Catterick) has made a great save. He had nothing to do in the second half but he showed his qualities because if they had made it 3-2 with ten minutes to go, even against ten men, we would have got nervous. However, each and every one of the lads played their part today. It’s a happy dressing room and the win will give us that little bit of momentum going into the last five games of the season.  We keep on saying that it’s down to what we do and as long as it’s in our own hands that’s all we can ask for.

Gray reserved his parting shot to say a massive thank you to the fans and volunteers at the club: “With the Newcastle United parade taking place, it’s been hard for non-league football with a lot of volunteers, supporters and players also wanting to celebrate,” he said, “However, to be fair I think Ashington made a great gesture by offering the fans half price admission to our match and I’ve got to thank the supporters and volunteers  who came along today because it means a lot and is much appreciated.”

By Brian Bennett

Maybes he was just being coy – but Jamie Holmes was certainly not over egging the goal which he scored in Ashington’s fully merited 3-1 win over promotion chasing Emley at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

The 27 year-old striker joined the Colliers a couple of weeks ago on a dual registration with Ebac Northern League first division side North Shields and ironically made his first outing when he went on as a substitute in the away clash against Emley in West Yorkshire.

He was handed his full debut the following week in the 2-2 draw against Belper Town – in a game which saw him have a weak penalty saved by ‘keeper Kieran Preston.

Now Newcastle-born Holmes is hoping that Saturday’s wonder goal – a sumptuous right footer from 25 yards into the top corner of the net – will atone for his blemish from the spot: “It was one of my better strikes,” he said afterwards, “It was a good set by Liam Henderson who laid the ball off nicely for me to run onto. However, those ones can easily go over the bar so I just tried to get over it enough and when I hit it, I could see that the ball was going to beat the ‘keeper. I was naturally delighted because it put us 2-1 ahead in the game – and for me it makes up for that penalty I missed the other week against Belper Town.”

Holmes – who is based at Walkergate – said the players found the conditions challenging: “The first half was very difficult,” he said, “We were against the wind – so to go in at the break 1-0 down wasn’t that bad. We started the second half very well and had the wind on our backs – and as soon as we scored the first, I knew we were going to get one or two more. It was a massive result but the lads have got to kick on. The club are still only three points above the drop zone so they still need to win a few more.”

Holmes – a marine engineer – is beginning to get his fitness back as he explained: “I hadn’t played football for four months so I felt a bit sluggish in my first couple of games but I feel a bit sharper now. All of the lads are sound – I knew most of them anyway as well as the management team of Nick (Gray) and Liam (McIvor).”

Boss Nick Gray said: “It was a great goal by Jamie. I said to him that as a group this year we haven’t worked the goalkeepers enough. He’s hit it sweetly – admittedly wind assisted but what a strike – even if there had been three goalkeepers in goal they aren’t going to save that!” Gray continued: “Jamie has got loads of ability but he’s got to have a bit more belief in himself.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray has issued a rallying call to the Wansbeck public as his side enter a crucial phase of their season in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

The Colliers have six games of their campaign remaining – three at home and three away – but sit precariously two points above the drop zone.

Gray says survival is in their own hands and the players face six cup finals which begin with a home clash against promotion chasing Emley at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday (March 29).

However the boss hopes the people of Wansbeck can play their part by giving his players vocal support: “The situation is in our own hands and we have got six cup finals left,” he said, “You have to earn the right to win games of football and if we do our jobs then we won’t have to look at anyone else. However, from the first game since Liam McIvor and myself took over, the fans have been absolutely fantastic with how they have encouraged us and backed us by generating noisy support – and they can play their part. It would also be good for the Wansbeck public to come along. The club broke through gates of over 1,000 a couple of seasons ago during their run in the FA Cup and the atmosphere can certainly give the lads a massive lift.”

The players were training twice this week following the 3-1defeat against league leaders Cleethorpes on Saturday and Gray added: “They (the players) have got to work hard and show the right attitude and be honest with each other. To win games of football you have got to stand up and be counted for the full 90 minutes and if you make a mistake, it’s a case of helping your team mates out and making sure they don’t do it again.”

He went on: “We have got to look after ourselves and I’ve got every faith in our group of players but the league table at the end of the season doesn’t lie. There are things which we have got to tweak and change a little bit and if we do that then we’ll be okay. There are fine lines between winning and losing. I thought against Cleethorpes we were the team who played the more football but results matter and we have got to start realising that.”

Tickets for our remaining home matches can be bought online on the following link:

https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets

By Brian Bennett

Liam Henderson became Nick Gray’s latest signing last week when the experienced striker put pen to paper in time for him to make his debut against table toppers Cleethorpes Town on Saturday.

The Colliers took an early lead through Craig Spooner but ‘The Owls’ hit back to win the contest 3-1 with two goals from Josh Walker and one from Curtis Bateson.

Henderson said: “I know Nick (Gray) very well and Ashington are in a bit of a dogfight at the minute. I have come here to try and win games and for the club to stay in the league – that’s the main objective.”

Gateshead-born Henderson continued: “Today’s performance probably wasn’t the best but it’s not about performances now – it’s about wins. We did well but you can see why Cleethorpes are top of the league because they have got two good wingers and a striker, and they have got a game plan to be fair. Second half I thought they increased the intensity but without it sounding like a cliché it was a bit of a free hit for us today. However, we’ll pick ourselves up and go again on Saturday.”

Manager Nick Gray said: “I’ve been fortunate with previous teams I’ve managed to have the likes of Michael Chilton, Liam Henderson and Mark Davison who are all very good centre forwards and the biggest compliment I can give Liam is that I wouldn’t want to play against him! On Saturday, he gave us a voice; he was a presence and he brings other players into the game. I’m delighted he has signed because I’ve tried to get him a couple of times – and he has committed to us until the end of the season.”

He continued: “Liam will make a difference. The final third is an area where we have got to be more clinical and create more chances. I know what you have got to do to get the best out of him – and he’ll make us stronger at the top end of the pitch.”