Crook Town vs Tow Law 26.12.24 by crooktown

Crook Town AFC

The Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld Ground, West Road, Crook, Co.DurhamDL15 9PW

01388 762959

Formed 1889

Full Member of the Football Association

Member of the Durham Football Association

Member of the Ebac Northern League

President Vice-Chairman

Vacant

Vice-President

David R Thompson OBE

Chairman

Helen Parkinson

Secretary

Chris MacDonald

Treasurer

Helen Parkinson

Social Club Treasurer

Helen Parkinson

Assistant Secretary Social Club Bar Manager

Chris MacDonald Paul Fowler

Management Board

Roxanne Wilkinson

Tony Weir, John Pearson, Marshall Ripon, Derrick Whitton

Helen Murphy, Neil Gibson, Ollie King

Simon Crummack, Dale Parkinson

Club Tours Abroad

Spain 1913 - 1921 - 1922

Norway 1962, India 1976, Germany 2000 - 2002

Club Honours

FA Amateur Cup: 1901, 1954, 1959, 1962, 1964

Northern League Champions: 1915, 1927, 1953, 1959, 1963

Northern League Runners-up: 1925, 1947, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1965

Northern League Divison Two: 2013

Northern League Division Two Runners-Up: 1995

Northern League Cup Winners: 1937, 1946, 1961

Northern League Cup Runners-Up: 1926, 1955, 1959, 1963

Durham Challenge Cup: 1927, 1932, 1955, 1960

Durham Benevolent Bowl: 1914, 1920, 1922, 1926,1955

Ernest Armstrong Memorial Trophy: 1997

Captain G Wright Trophy: 1964,1965

This Boxing Day afternoon we would like to welcome the Supporters, Team and Management of Tow Law Town to the historic Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld. Home to Northern League football since 1896.

Upcoming Games:

Let’s hope it’s a great game and may the best team win!

Northern League Division One

Crook Town -v- Penrith

Saturday 28th December 2024 - Kick Off 3:00pm The Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld

Tow Law Town -v- Crook Town

Saturday 4th January 2025 - Kick Off 3:00pm

FA Vase Fourth Round ope it

Ironworks Road, Tow Law, Co. Durham

Albion Sports FC -v- Crook Town AFC

Saturday 11th January 2025 - Kick Off 3:00pm

Horsfall Community Stadium, Bradford, West Yorkshire

Manager: Mattie Thompson

Assistant Manager: Steve Murray

MANAGEMENT TEAM

First Team Coaches: Matthew Johnson

Paul Gardiner

Paul Goldsborough

Michael Fulthorpe

Goal Keeping Coach: Mark Spedding Physio: Adam Gillies

Match Ball Sponsor: Clive Whitton

26/12/2411:00am

2024/23 Crook Town AFC Sponsors

Home Shirt SponsorAway

Crook Town AFC would like to thank the following businesses and individuals who are supported us this season.

“I would sincerely like to ask our friends and supporters to patronise the businesses of the people who are supporting our Club this season, wherever they ﬁnd it possible.”

Chris MacDonald - Chairman

COMPANY/PERSONCONTACTCOMPANY/PERSONCONTACT

Mapps Mortgage & InsurancePeter MappEVA TimberAlex Padhaiski

Mulligans Skip HireJimmy and Paul Mulligan Tyne Tees Crushing & Screening Ltd Andrew Verity

Speedo Car Parts LtdPaul ReidCathedral Wholesales & EventsJulie Hinch and Brian Ollie KingOllie KingFranks the Flooring StorePaul Tennant

John PearsonJohn PearsonHorizon GlassChristine Richardson

Weardale TravelAnthony M GibsonStuart AskwithStuart Askwith

Amber PattersonJeff PattersonS B C BuildersSteve Caile

Readman Fabrications LtdGraham ReadmanLintons PrintersCraig Dixon

Paul TennantPaul TennantPremier Store - CrookRavi Sivaguru

S C PlantSteve CrawfordThe VaultIan Clark

Dave Thompson OBE David R Thompson OBE Clive WhittonClive Whitton

Michelle HamiltonChris MacdonaldDerrick WhittonDerrick Whitton

Holly and Macey HughesJohnathon HughesBucket List TravelAnthony Blackmore

Vince KirkupVince KirkupP H CarsPhil Harrison

Marshall RipponMarshall RipponEric GibsonNeil Gibson

William PenmanWilliam PenmanCruise 365Anthony Blackmore

Isaac WraithPaul WraithMetallink Fluid Power SystemsAlan Hook

Paul FowlerPaul FowlerDurham County CouncilAnne Reed

Silverthorn GroupDavid CumminDurham County Council3 Towns AAP

Durham Funeral CelebrantAnnette Jeffery-CrummackN E Kitchen SolutionsSimon Parkin

Brian GibbonBrian GibbonRichie Norman - SteeplejackRichie Norman

Freshclean Dry CleanersAlison and David HeppleJ T Dove LtdDaniel Chambers

Cimex UK LtdMark DixonExpress MinimixMatthew Burdess

S Reed Plumbing and HeatingStuart ReedThe Football FoundationFootball Foundation

Wrights Forestry ServicesLisaE-Lite Blinds LtdCraig Smith

R and S Fireplaces and StovesRon Beadle James Burrell Builders Merchants John Emmerson

Morgan SindallElliot MoorScrub-A-Dub-DubRachel Collinson

Crook Town Fixtures

Date 07/24

Town v Crook Town1 — 2Div 12024/25The

Town v Easington Colliery1 — 0Div 12024/25The

Town1 — 0Div 12024/25The

Town v Witton Albion FC1 — 2FA Cup2024/25The

Auckland Town v Crook Town2 — 2Div 12024/25The

Town v Holker Old Boys0 — 0 (4 — 2) FA Vase2024/25Sir

v Blyth Town1 — 1Div 12024/25The

02/10/24Crook Town v Kendal Town1 — 1Div 12024/25The

Town1 — 0Div 12024/25Hillheads

09/10/24Stockton Town v Crook Town3 — 1DFA2024/25MAP

12/10/24Crook Town v Shildon0 — 1Div 12024/25The

19/10/24Crook Town v Newcastle University5 — 2FA Vase2024/25The

22/10/24Seaham Red

v Crook Town1 — 3Div 12024/25The

30/10/24Crook Town v North Shields 2 — 1Div 12024/25The

Town v West Allotment Celtic1 — 0Div 12024/25The

09/11/24NorthallertonTown v Crook Town2 — 1FA Vase2024/25The

13/11/24Crook Town v Marske United4 —1Div 12024/25The

v Crook Town1 — 3Div 12024/25Glebe

Town v Guisborough Town1 — 1Div 12024/25The

14/12/24Crook Town v Carlisle City2 — 0FA Vase2024/25The

21/12/24Crook Town v Birtley Town0 — 0Div 12024/25The

26/12/24CrookTownvTowLawTown1:00pmDiv12024/25TheSirTomCowieMill

28/12/24Crook Town v Penrith3:00pmDiv 12024/25The Sir

Cowie

ﬁeld 04/01/25Tow Law Town v Crook Town3:00pmDiv 12024/25Ironworks Road 11/01/25Sporting Albion v Crook Town3:00pmFA Vase2024/25Horsfall

11/01/25Crook Town v Boro RangersP — PDiv 12024/25The Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld 18/01/25Northallerton Town v Crook Town3:00pmDiv 12024/25 The Calvert Stadium 25/01/25Crook Town v Redcar Athletic3:00pmDiv 12024/25The Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld 31/01/25Newcastle Blue Star v Crook Town7:30pmDiv 12024/25Scotswood

08/02/25Blyth Town v Crook Town3:00pmDiv 12024/25Gateway Park 15/02/25Easington Colliery v Crook Town3:00pmDiv 12024/25Easington Welfare Park

21/02/25Crook Town v West Auckland Town7:30pmDiv 12024/25The Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld

28/02/25Crook Town v Newcastle Blue Star7:30pmDiv 12024/25The Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld

08/03/25West Allotment Celtic v Crook Town3:00pmDiv 12024/25East Palmersville Sports Pavilion

15/03/25Crook Town v Whitley Bay3:00pmDiv 12024/25The Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld

22/03/25Shildon v Crook Town3:00pmDiv 12024/25Dean Street

29/03/25Carlisle City v Crook Town3:00pmDiv 12024/25Gillford Park

05/04/25Crook Town v Seaham Red Star3:00pmDiv 12024/25The Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld

12/04/25North Shields v Crook Town3:00pmDiv 12024/25Daren Persson Stadium

19/04/25Crook Town v Newcastle Benﬁeld 3:00pmDiv 12024/25The Sir Tom Cowie Millﬁeld

F

the Festive Season

Christmas and New Year can be the most joyful time of the year, however, it reminds us of those that can’t be with us.

At home games during the festive period we are providing tags in the clubhouse so you can write to your loved one and attach it to the tree. yy to tree ittothetreetree. ittothetree. n

Crook Town Squad 2024/25

James Barron: Young shot stopper beyond his years. Played against us last season for Tow Law Town with an outstanding repertoire of saves.

Ben Fairless: Young keeper who is comfortable on the ball and is a good shot stopper to boot. Ben has broad Northern League experience, former sides include Guisborough, Billingham Synthonia and Northallerton Town.

Jaan Yaqub: A keen young keeper with Northern Premier League experience with Marske, but most lately with Guisborough Town.

Liam Goldsborough: Old fashioned full back who can play either side. Previously with Tow Law Town.

Kurt Matthews: Versatile defender who can play anywhere along the back line. Previously with Shildon.

Dan Mitton: Club Captain - Central defender with a wealth of Northern League experience. Spent time at West Auckland and Newton Aycliffe.

Joe Thompson: Vocal full back with a bullet of a throw. Previously played for Redcar Athletic and Northallerton Town.

James Walsh: Tall defender who is good in the area and can play out from the back. Brings professional football experience to the defence.

Alex ‘Ban’ Walker: A tall ‘old-fashioned’ centre half who will head everything, but also good with the ball at his feet. Has been at a number of Northern League clubs. Back in Black and Amber.

Zac Bewley: Tricky winger who loves to run at defenders with lightning pace. Previously at Ryton and Crawcrook.

DavidAtkinson: Tall, experinenced central midﬁelder who is good with both feet. Dual registered with Spennymoor Town.

ConnorBrown: Tall, defensive midﬁelder who has a wide range of passing abilities. Previously with current manager at Brandon. Second stint in Black and Amber.

Paul Gardiner: Experienced midﬁelder, who has a wealth of experience in the Northern League and likes a tackle, previously played at Brandon United. Starting this season as Assistant Manager.

Reece Havelock-Brown: Central midﬁelder with a wide range of passing who doesn’t shirk a tackle. Previously played at Whitley Bay.

Harry Laviolette: Versatile player who can play at centre half, full back or centre mid. Played for Spennymoor U18s and was Captain of Durham County team.

Josh MacDonald: Pacey wide man with good feet. Can get past a defender and deliver into the box. Played for Marske United in the Northern Premier League.

FinlayRose: Small, tricky midﬁelder who joins us from Shildon AFC. Current Crook Town Youth player.

Ben Trotter: Midﬁeld general who likes to break the lines and get forward. Previously with Shildon.

Charlie Bunton: Young, exciting winger who likes to run at defenders. Promoted through the Crook Town Youth system.

Sonni Coleman: Experienced Northern League striker with spells at Redcar Athletic, Guisborough and Northallerton Town - scored goals wherever he has been.

Corey Nicholson: The return of a fan favourite. Crook supporters will remember Corey’s endless running down the wings. Spent last season at West Auckland.

Craig Moody: A tricky winger who has tricks and pace in abundance. Last seasons top scorer who scores goals in and outside of the box with both feet.

Dominic McWilliam: Brought in from Crook Town Youth this season.

Riley Spedding: 18. Midﬁelder, stepping up from Crook Town Youth.

FinlayThomas: 18. Midﬁeld/Striker. Another good prospect from Crook Town Youth.

CharlieDawson: Excellent young striker from Esh Winning and Newton Aycliffe.

Crook Town AFC

James

BarronBen Fairless

Liam Goldsborough Kurt MatthewsDan Mitton

Joe Thompson

James Walsh

Alex ‘Ban’ Walker

Zack BewleyConnor Brown Available for Sponsorship

John Pearson

Sponsored by Emily Burek

The OnlyDans Syndicate

Keith Walker

Sponsored by: Albie and Carter Howe

Daryl Reed

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by: Chris & Christine Aways Days

Sponsored by:

Crook Town Suppporters Newquay Chapter

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by: The Parkinsons

Jaan Yakub

Daniel Atkinson S Spon pon

by by: Sp Ellie Burek

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by: Rich & Oliver Firth

Shirt Sponsors Team Squad 2024/25

Vince Kirkup

Archie MacDonald

Sporting Journeys NE

The Muddy, Hendo and Smithy Consortium

The Bureks & The Howes

Luis Burek

Colin Thompson

Crook Town Youth

Sponsored by:

Reece Havelock-BrownHarry Laviolette Josh MacDonald

Finlay Rose

Finley Thomas

Ben Trotter

Charlie BuntonSonni Coleman

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by: WardmanBrown

Sponsored by:

Riley Spedding

Anita Howe

Dominic McWilliams

Joe Burke

Sponsored by:

Charlie Dawson

aul Gardi

December 21st 2024

Tow Law Town AFC

Hist

The club was founded in 1890 as Tow Law F.C., before adding the Town to their name in 1905, and throughout their history they have played in several local leagues including the Auckland and District League, the South Durham Alliance and the Crook and District League, before joining the Northern League in 1920. They have won the Northern League’s Division Two twice—in 1988 and 1992—and its Division One on three occasions—in 1924, 1925 and 1995—but they have never been promoted or demoted from the Northern League since joining it more than 100 years ago. Tow Law reached the ﬁnal of the FA Vase in 1998, having progressed all the way from the ﬁrst round, but were beaten by Tiverton Town in the Stadium.

There was a football team operating in Tow Law as early as 1881, when a vicar captained the team. However, the club still playing today was founded as Tow Law in 1890. The club became one of the founding teams of the Auckland and District League in 1892 and won the Durham Amateur Cup the following year. They then joined the Northern League in 1894. In 1896 they won the Durham Challenge Cup. They left the Northern League and played in the South Durham Alliance from 1900 to 1905. In 1905 the club changed its name to Tow Law Town which they have stuck with ever since. The club played in the Crook and District League from 1912 until 1914. After the end of World War One in 1918, the club again played in the Auckland and District League until 1920, when they returned to the Northern League where they have played ever since. The club were league winners two seasons in a row, in 1923/24 and 1924/25. They were runners up in 1928/29. In World War Two they resigned from the Northern League on 20 March 1940 and their record of the season was deleted. They re-joined the league in 1945 on its resumption after the War.

ory

happened because they were beaten 6–2 by Shrewsbury in the replay. Arsenal said to have been “saved from a fate worse than death – a trip to Tow Law in January.”

In 1974, they won the Northern League Cup, beating Ashington 2–1 in the final at Crook. In the summer of 1978, Chris Waddle started playing for the club. In the summer of 1980, Waddle move to Newcastle United. Tow Law Town were runners-up in the 1988/89 season, before finally winning the league again in 1994/95, sitting 14 points clear at the end of the season. They missed out on the runners up spot the following year on goal difference. Harry Hodgson had long served as Chairman of the club, but stood down at the end of 1995/96, John Flynn took over as chairman. At the end of 1996/97, Harry Dixon, another long-standing official at the club, stood down as treasurer, but stayed on as the club’s president. Kevin McCormick took over as treasurer.

The club made their first and so far, only visit to Wembley Stadium on 9 May 1998, by winning through to nal of the FA Vase, under the management of Peter Quigley and his assistant Tony Heslop. They reached the final, beating Taunton Town 5–4 on aggregate in a two-legged semi-final. In reaching the final, Tow Law, with its population of only 2,200, became the smallest town to ever reach a Wembley nal. The team took around 4,000 supporters with them down to London, about twice the population of Tow Law at the time. They were beaten in the final 1–0 by Tiverton Town.

Stadium on 9 19 the ﬁn the Qu T t T in In r Law, w town t ﬁ 4,00 dow the th i H the 200 as yea up t as 2004 from t was

They ﬁnished second in the league in 1998/99 and 2001/02. With Harry Dixon’s death in 2002, Harry Hodgson took up the post of President. In 2004, John Flynn stood down as chairman, and so for a yearlong period, Hodgson took up the title of club chairman as well. At the end of the 2004/05 season, he retired from the club. His replacement, Sandra Gordon was the ﬁrst ever female Chair of the club, and only the third in the history of the Northern League. In 2007, Bernard Fairbairn, who had followed his father and grandfather into the job, stood down as club secretary, a post he had held since 1961, giving him a total of 46 years in his position. Stephen Moralee has now taken over as club secretary.

In the 1967/68 season, the club had their best run in the FA Cup. After reaching the ﬁrst-round proper, they beat Mansﬁeld Town 5–1 at Ironworks Road, and took Shrewsbury Town to a second round replay after a 1–1 draw at home. The team went into the third-round draw and were drawn against Arsenal at home. However, this never

Sir Bobby Robson was raised a few miles away from Tow Law, in the village of Langley Park. He had held the title of life president at the club and had helped them out when they hit ﬁnancial difﬁculties after the 2001 foot and mouth crisis, which devastated the local area. He was known to spend a lot of time on the club, attending fund raisers and

Tow Law Town AFC Squad 2024/25

James Rutherford: Goalkeeper - James signed early in the season, but made his debut in January 24. He will bring experience to the Goalkeeper department.

Tom Orton: Goalkeeper - Tom returned to Tow Law following a brief 24/25 spell with Easington Colliery. A vastly experienced goalkeeper, providing good competition for the No. 1 jersey.

Jan Dluosz: Defender - Jan joined from Crook Town, a defender who can play full-back or central defender. He previously played in the United Arab Emirates.

Charlie Hawdon: Defender - Charlie is a versatile defender who is comfortable anywhere across the defensive line, Charlie has both stamina and pace and loves to play out from the back.

Connor Lane: Defender - Connor is a strong, aggressive, tough-tackling defender. Previously with Gateshead Leam Rangers.

Liam McNamara: Defender - Liam is a solid, calm and clear thinking Centre-Back who joined the club after stints at Team Northumbria, North Shields, Newton Aycliffe Newcastle Benﬁeld & Newcastle Independent. Liam is hard to beat defensively and is comfortable on the ball and developing the play from the back. Liam is a natural leader on the pitch.

Jack Salkeld: Defender - Jack is a young, commanding centre-half, a natural in the air. He loves old fashioned tackles.

Robbie Shields: Defender - Robbie is a strong centre-half/right back with lots of Northern League experience. He returns to us from Esh Winning FC.

Callum Williams: Defender - Callum is a vastly experienced Northern League player, whose previous Clubs include Bishop Auckland & Guisborough Town. He also has experience of college football in the USA.

Ellis Wymer: Defender - Ellis is an excellent right back, good on the ball with a great delivery. Recently signed from Willington AFC.

Bradley Hughes: Midﬁeld - An energetic midﬁeld dynamo with an eye for goal and a broad range of passing, Bradley loves to get on the ball and dictate the game.

James Hughes: Midﬁeld - James is a product of Middlesbrough FC Academy. He returned to the area after graduating at Bath University and immediately linked up to our Club

Brandon Mallaburn: Midﬁeld - Brandon is a central midﬁeld player. He joined us in 2022/23 from Shildon Reserves.

Leon Scott: Midﬁeld - Leon is a vastly experienced midﬁelder who was previously at Darlington, where he made 222 appearances. Previous clubs include Marske United, West Auckland and Whitby Town.

Lewis Shorrock: Midﬁeld - Lewis is a very experienced midﬁeld player, extremely comfortable on the ball. Previously in the Northern League with Team Northumbria.

Ben Dibb-Fuller: Forward - Ben is an exciting forward, two footed by bags of pace and an eye for goal. Previously with Team Northumbria and Newcastle Benﬁeld, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon.

Mason Morrow: Forward - Mason will run through a brick wall. Signed from the local leagues, he has an eye for goals and is determined to succeed.

Jamie O’Brien: Forward - Jamie is a powerful centre forward, previously with Darlington Town.

Will Risbey: Forward - An exciting prospect at Tow Law, Will has pace and energy to burn and has the ability to change games in an instance.

Dan Smith: Forward - Dan is an exciting forward, brought in to score goals. Previous Clubs include Birtley Town, Consett adnNewcastle Benﬁeld.

Management Manager

Dion Raitt

Goalkeeper Coach: Lee Walker

Physio: Lorraine Collier

Shi

Sponsors Players and Bench

Spons

Players and Bench

Crook Town AFC

History

Crook joined the Northern League in 1896 and ﬁrst won the Amateur Cup in 1901 beating Kings Lynn 3 - 0 at Ipswich after a 1 - 1 draw at Dover Court in Essex

In 1913 Crook toured Barcelona to help establish football as the main sport in the region of Catalonia instead of bullﬁghting. Feeling was so high against this that King Alfonso of Spain who had hoped to attend the three games but couldn’t do so because of the attempts on his life.

Crook man Jack Greenwell organised the tour and went on to become the ﬁrst English manager of Barcelona until the mid-thirties when he took over the Spanish national side until the civil war. He managed Peru in 1938 which capped off a remarkable life for the son of a miner!

There were two further successful tours to Barcelona during the 1920/21 and 1921/22 seasons.

The infamous ‘Crook Town Affair’ where several players and ofﬁcials were suspended for making illegal payments to amateur players made front page news in 1928.

Crook became a semi-professional club during the 1930/31 season as Crook FC and reached the third round of The FA Cup for the only time during the 1931/32 season. Centre forward Colin Cook scored a remarkable 72 goals that season.

The 1936/37 season saw Crook revert back to amateur status and became Crook Town.

During the 1945/46 season Crook Town become Crook Colliery Welfare.

In 1949 Crook reached the semi-ﬁnal of the Amateur Cup losing 3 - 0 at West Ham to Romford after a 2 - 2 draw at Roker Park.

In the early 1950’s gates of 10,000

were the norm for cup ties. The highest recorded gate was 17,000 plus v Walton and Hersham in a 0 - 0 draw. That season Crook were involved in the ﬁrst non-league cup tie to be shown live on TV on a Saturday afternoon that saw Crook winning 3 - 1 at Romford in front of a 13,000 crowd.

Crook won the Amateur Cup in the 1953/54 season playing in the longest cup ﬁnal ever v Bishop Auckland with 200,000 in attendance over the three games. The ﬁnal scores for the three games were 22 AET at Wembley, 2 - 2 AET at St. James Park and 1 - 0 to Crook at Ayresome Park.

Crook played Derby County in the ﬁrst round of the FA Cup during the 1955/56 season drawing 2 - 2 at the Millﬁeld, but losing 5 - 1 away in the replay.

Crook were League champions and Amateur Cup winners beating Barnet 32 in the ﬁnal at Wembley in the 1958/59 season.

In the 1961/62 season Crook once again won the Amateur Cup beating Hounslow Town 4 - 0 at Ayresome Park after a 1 - 1 draw at Wembley.

During the 1962/63 season Crook had a two match tour of Norway. Crook defeating a South Norway XI 4 - 3, but were beaten 3 - 2 the next day to Vikings. gh

Crook Town AFC

History

During the 1964/65 season Crook beat Carlisle United 1 – 0 in the ﬁrst round of the FA Cup, but lost 1 – 0 to Oldham Athletic in the second round.

In 1976 Crook became the ﬁrst English club to tour India playing six games. A gate of 100,000 watched Crook play the Indian national side, but they were beaten 1 – 0 in 90 degree temperatures.

During the late 70’s there was an increase of interest and also brief revivals during the 80’s and 90’s and the early part of the new century, but without the help and encouragement of Sir Tom Cowie the club would not have survived.

The 2015/16 season was probably the club’s worst season on record and may well have seen the demise of the club but for the return of Vince Kirkup as Chairman who will need no introduction around the North East football circuit.

That season was always going to be a one of survival and consolidation on both the financial and the playing front, and so it proved to be with previous debts satisfied and an 18th of 22 place finish securing Ebac Northern League Second Division status.

After a good start to the 2017/18 season Crook’s form started to drop off and the results on the ﬁeld showed this, the main problem being the amount of goals conceded. After a short time in Charge, manager Wilf Constantine and his team decided to step down, as they believed they had taken the club as far as it could go, this was following a home defeat to Thornaby.

Following Wilf’s departure Crook acted quickly to appoint his successor, there was no shortage of applicants. After taking a couple of days to sort things out Chris lax was appointed. His previous club was Richmond Town where he had managed for ﬁve years and built a very successful side.

But another disappointing season saw Crook ending with a 18th place ﬁnish, one place lower than when they took over and though this was enough to maintain Ebac Northern League status it was only done by default due

to the resignation of Jarrow Roo Rangers who were unable to secure a ground share.

So it was decided to part company with Chris Lax and his management team at the end of that season and install former player and Billingham Synthonia manager Jamie Tunstall as manager. Jamie has created a team in the way he wants to play the game and in the two curtailed seasons Crook Town ﬁnished second and third - meaning they qualiﬁed for promotion to Division One on a PPG basis.

After guiding Crook to 15th in the First Division and to the Durham Challenge Cup Final, Jamie departed to join Shildon AFC. Mark Stephenson took on the job along with; Dean Irvine as his assistant and Stevie Johnson as ﬁrst team coach. After a tough start to the season the club parted ways with manager Mark and appointed joint managers; Anthony Lee and Mattie Thompson from Brandon United.

Anth and Mattie took over in January 2023 and quickly set about implementing their ideas and approach with an overhaul of the playing squad and strong ethos on teamwork and standards.

Finishing a creditable 13th and reversing the downward trend the management were very busy in the off-season strengthening their squad and looking forward to a successful 2023/24 season - during which they reached the Semi Final of the County Cup before the competition was suspended due to ﬁxture congestion.

The off season saw the retirement of Vince Kirkup - hanging up his boots after fsixty years in non-league football.

With the new Chairman Chris MacDonald and revised management team (Anth leaving having scored the last goal of the season) about build on a rain ravaged 2023/24 season. g and B g