Matchday Programme: Issue 1, Hemsworth Miners Welfare, Emirates FA Cup

Issue 1

V Hemsworth MW 1st September 2020 The Green Energy Sports Ground FA Cup Extra-preliminary Round 7:45 KO

Photo credit: Richard Waugh

We would like to say a big thank you to The Green Energy Advice Bureau for their ground sponsorship agreement for an initial period of two seasons.

The Green Energy Advice Bureau offer award-winning energy consultancy to businesses of all sizes.

The South Shields-based business offer all clients a fully managed end to end bespoke energy consultancy service that includes a strategic procurement review to ensure your supply agreements (both contracts & metering points) are fit for purpose and providing your organisation with the best value for money.

The Green Energy Advice Bureau will also provide advice and assistance to help your organisation monitor, manage & control your energy more efficiently via their specialist sustainability team.

Tel.: 0191 3037750

Email: info@greenpoweradvice.co.uk

HEBBURN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB Founded: 1912

Contents

The Green Energy Sports Ground, South Drive, Hebburn, NE31 1UN

4

Kevin Bolam

23 18 21

5

Captain’s Column

21 25 23

8

Focus on Fixtures

23 26 25

Michael Richardson Q&A

28 25 26

Teammates with Hebburn Player Profiles Preseason Round-up Robbie Spence

Stephen Rutherford Hebburn Town Historyon Noticeboard the club and Covid-19

www.hebburntownfc.co.uk

@HebburnTown

CLUB OFFICIALS Director: Stephen Rutherford Senior Chairman: Vin Pearson First Team Secretary: Dave Patterson Vice Chairman: Richard Bainbridge Junior Vice Chairman: Gary Henry Junior Kit & Equipment Officer: Chris Davies

10

Noticeboard Hebburn Player Profiles Hebburn Town History

Hebburn Preseason Town Round-up History Hebburn Player Profiles

Mini Kit & Equipment Officer: Chris Davies Junior Events Manager: Joe Vickers Junior Finance Secretary: Catherine Ross Junior Safeguarding Officer: Anne-Marie Whyte Junior Tour Manager: Dan Locklan Committee Member: Peter Stoker Junior Fundraising Officer: Behnam Khazaeli

12

Fixture Grid

26 29

Preseason Next up forRound-up Hebburn

15

Tonight’s Opponents

30

James Main on his time with Hebburn

18 15

Stephen Rutherford Tonight’s Opponentson the club and Covid-19

32

Quiz Corner

18 15 21

Stephen Rutherford Tonight’s Opponentson Noticeboard the club and Covid-19

35

Editor’s Notes

Junior Secretary: Paul Woods Junior Recruitment Officer: David Thomas

Media Team Head of Media: Kieran Archer Media Officers: Ben Potts, James Main Club Photographers: Richard Waugh, Sean Harrison (CNC Photography), Monika Krysinska (Mon Mon)

@HebburnTown | 3

K

O B la m n i v e

“We would also like to

M Well it all begins again tonight, and what better way to start the season than under the lights in the FA Cup? We would like to wish a very warm welcome to all players and staff of Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC for the game tonight. I believe it’s the very first meeting between our two clubs and we hope it will be an enjoyable one.

It has been a very strange time for everyone since Covid-19 took a stranglehold on the country in March.

People have lost loved ones during what has been a very testing time so we would also like to take time to reflect on those close to us. Myself, Mick and all the staff and players send our condolences to those people who have unfortunately lost loved ones. We would also like to take time to thank the NHS and all front line workers for their fantastic efforts during the peak times of the pandemic, you have been our heroes throughout all of this.

Back to football and we welcome Hemsworth to Hebburn tonight for what should be a cracking FA Cup tie. For once we come out of the hat with a home tie. It doesn’t happen often for us in cup competitions! Our opponents have had a very success4 | @HebburnTown

an s e age t o r’ s N ful preseason and have taken scalps from teams higher up the pyramid, most notably Ossett United, so we know we will have to be at our best tonight to come through the tie.

Onto ourselves and firstly I would like to wish a warm welcome to our new signings Amar Purewal who joins us from West Auckland, Damen Mullen who joins from Blyth Spartans, Luke Salmon who joins us from Whitley Bay, and Andrew Coulson who will provide back-up to Mark Foden in goal after joining from Esh Winning.

All the lads have settled into the group really well and I have no doubt they will all contribute to strengthening our squad for the season ahead.

We have also enjoyed a very positive preseason which started out with a draw against NPL side Morpeth Town FC. We were leading the game 2-1 but when we couldn’t see it out after being reduced to 10 men. We conceded an equaliser and played out a very entertaining 2-2 draw.

We followed that up with a good 4-2 victory over West Allotment Celtic who would now be in our league had it not been for Covid-19. We then produced a brilliant display against our local rivals South Shields, winning

take time to thank the NHS and all front line workers for their fantastic efforts during the peak times of the pandemic, you have been our heroes throughout all of this.”

1-0 against a side who should now be in the National League North had the pandemic not put an end to their promotion-chasing campaign. We actually played against two XIs that night which made the result a little more rewarding.

We then played another local Derby against Jarrow FC and another very good performance saw us come through with a 4-1 victory. We finished our preseason with another win, this time against National League North Side, Blyth Spartans, where we ran out 3-0 winners. I am not naive enough to know that nothing is won in preseason but what we have done is prepared the right way against high-quality opposition.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our preseason opponents all the best for their respective campaigns as well as wishing everyone good health during these tough times.

Let’s hope both teams put on a great game tonight. Enjoy the game,

Kevin Bolam

Louis Storey Captain’s Column “ From the hard work and preparation I’ve witnessed from the players, staff, and club, I am confident that we can attack these games head on and that we will be successful in achieving our goals. ” It’s here... the start of the new season with all the excitement and positivity that comes with it looking ahead to new goals and challenges but with some unfinished business to also take care of.

It’s been over 5 months since our 2019-20 season came to a halt and just over nine weeks since we returned for preseason training anticipating the news for how the new season will look and if and when we could finish last season’s FA Vase.

With quality additions joining the group over the summer in Amar, Damo, Luke and Andrew alongside security of last season’s stalwarts committing for another season, we are looking super fit and in tip top shape. We are hungry to compete to get the best out of each other and focused in preparation to attack all of the 2020-21 competitions.

It goes without saying that all of the players, staff, club officials and fans were truly gutted to have last season’s final stretch snatched away from us with such momentum building around the club as we got closer to establishing ourselves into the top three spots for promotion and progressing to the semi-finals of the FA vase with a home and away fixture acting as our final hurdle towards Wembley.

The ups and downs of new rumours, whispers and news of potential return dates and opportunities to finish what we started was a rollercoaster and at times played with our emotions. The worst-case scenario of not being able to finish what we started lingered at the back of my mind, but it wasn’t worth listening to. I am delighted that the FA has recognised the undeniable value of the competition to our level of football and that we, the players, and staff get to continue the club’s journey and hopefully reward the tremendous support we have received from the fans with more success beyond the semi-finals.

Our performances and results across our preseason is evidence of how we have evolved yet again. We have strengthened the quality and depth of our squad and we have all put in hard work on the training pitch. The performances we put in against Morpeth, South Shields and Blyth were a pleasure to take part in and that was converted into brilliant results which we can use to attain more confidence for the upcoming games. The group demonstrated how we can go toe-to-toe with teams higher up the pyramid, the quality we have individually across the pitch, and the feeling of a close group gelling further and working hard with momentum and a sense of being in sync.

The first month of this season is clearly a huge period of exciting challenges and it will be a crucial period in hopefully creating more history for the club in the immediate future as well as paving the first building blocks for even more history and success for the upcoming season. The FA Cup and Vase ties within the first five days of the season is huge and that is followed by league fixtures against many of our rivals who will look to compete with us for the promotion spots and title.

From the hard work and preparation I’ve witnessed from the players, staff, and club, I am confident that we can attack these games head on and that we will be successful in achieving our goals. Hard work, focus and togetherness is something we have in abundance and is what we will need for the first four weeks of the season.

We are all itching to get going again and hopefully we can kick the season off with a positive performance and progression in the FA Cup. See yous all down at the club and can’t wait to get started,

Louis Storey

@HebburnTown | 5

Tel.: 01388 814800 Email: sales@avecsport.com avecsport.com Avec Sport Ltd., Enterprise City, Unit 1-2, Meadowfield Ave, Spennymoor, County Durham DL16 6JF

At Avec Sport, we have a proud and longstanding heritage of supplying premium football kits and training wear to professional football clubs for over 20 years.

Since launching in 1993 as the Official Kit Supplier to Sunderland AFC, Avec Sport has continued to supply a large portfolio of professional clubs within the Premier League and Football League, which more recently includes Crystal Palace FC, Doncaster Rovers FC and Scunthorpe United FC. Not only do we supply to professional clubs, but we also have vast experience in supplying Football Academies, Schools, Colleges and Universities as well as the amateur teams across all levels of the grassroots game.

Our experience and partnerships with professional football clubs, has allowed us to develop and create suitable products for every player, no matter what league they play in.

We recognise the importance that grassroots football has in the development of future players and understand the need to offer a level of service and quality of product that is parallel to the professional game. It has always been an ambition of ours to provide premium quality Football Kits and Team wear at a great value and we firmly believe that you will not be disappointed by choosing Avec Sport.

What separates us from other suppliers is that all our stock is held on-site in our 35,000 sq.ft head office and distribution warehouse. Not only does this mean that all stock is available for immediate dispatch, but all aspects of your kit are dealt with in-house through our production team for any additional customisation requirements.

Avec Sport also has a credible heritage of supplying Team Wear for other sports, from professional Cricket Clubs such as Durham, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Gloucestershire, as well as professional Rugby clubs including, Castleford, Gateshead Thunder, Halifax Blue Sox and Wakefield.

6 | @HebburnTown

UTS Engineering are global specialists when it comes to pipeline solutions. Our philosophy is simple – providing quality, yet cost effective piping solutions within the shortest lead time.

For pipe fittings and steel fabrications to under pressure drilling services and 24 hour emergency response; we are a true single source for pipeline service and products.

Our business culture is concentrated on being customer focused. We are driven by the demand of our customers and the ever changing needs around the world.

Our product range is one of the most diverse in the market and we are confident in providing you with a solution, whatever your request. Our workforce which is paramount to our success – working around the clock to service the needs of pipelines throughout the world.

Tel.: 191 428 4003 Email: info@uts-ltd.com Website: https://www.uts-ltd.com/ UTS Engineering LTD., Connor House, Bede Industrial Estate, Tyne and Wear, Jarrow NE32 3EW

Key fixtures round-up

Focus on Fixtures

With the full league fixture list now released, Ben Potts, takes a closer look at some of the fixtures that will pique the interest of the Hebburn Town faithful.

In what promises to be a congested campaign for Kevin Bolam and his Hebburn players, there was keen interest in how the fixture list will shape up on announcement day.

With the Covid-19 pandemic forcing a delayed start to the 2020-21 season, and with the 2019-20 FA Vase to complete, it was guaranteed to be a challenging schedule with some congestion.

Within that congestion there will be a few fixtures that the Hornets faithful may have been looking out for.

But before looking at the league fixtures, we need to remember the cups. We saw our first league game away to Newton Aycliffe get rescheduled when the FA set a date for our Vase semi-final away to Corinthian for this Saturday.

A successful result on Saturday would mean a trip to Wembley on Sunday 27 September which would mean a rescheduling of our away game against Thornaby.

And should we get through tonight’s fixture, the home tie with Pontefract in the Preliminary Round will slot into Saturday 12 September.

The first local derby of the season is at home to Whickham on Tuesday 22 September and following that Hebburn will be travelling north of the Tyne to North Shields at the end of the month (Wednesday 30th).

Fellow title favourites Stockton Town visit The Green Energy Sports Ground on Tuesday 13 October before back-to-back derbies with Newcastle Benfield (Saturday 24th) and Whitley Bay (Saturday 31st).

8 | @HebburnTown

Ex-Hornets Sullivan and Jennison both now turn out for Seaham Red Star

We will welcome Andrew Jennison and Luke Sullivan as well as a few other ex-Hornets (Mattie Tumelty, Paul Gardiner and Jason Blackburn) back to Hebburn when we face Seaham Red Star at home in mid-December before the return match at Benfield kicks off 2021.

The return games with Whickham and North Shields dominate January (Saturday 16th and Saturday 23rd) before a trip to Stockton in February (Saturday 13th).

The home match against Whitley Bay will take place a month later on Saturday 13 March before we host a Consett side always tipped to be in the promotion hunt in our final home fixture on Saturday 17 April.

As it currently stands the return match at Seaham Town Park closes out the campaign on Saturday 24 April but with the inevitable cup progress and the wonderful North East weather we have come to know and tolerate there is likely to be a lot of chopping and changing before then.

Tel no.: 0191 4890020 Mob no.: 07730643051 Email: tynesidefab@btconnect.com 39 Bedesway, Bede Industrial Estate, Jarrow, NE32 3EG

Michael Richardson

The talented attacking midfielder is heading into his third season with the Hornets. A fans’ favourite, in this interview Magic Michael talks about his love for the FA Cup, hoping to make dreams come true in the Vase, and the strangest preseason of his football career.

Q: After what I am guessing was the longest preseason you have experienced in your football career, how keen are you to get going again tonight?

MR: It has been a strange time for everyone in football at all levels. Having a season end early and not knowing when it was all going to start back up is something that we have never experienced before.

Now we have some dates we are all looking forward to getting back out on the pitch and playing some football again.

Q: Preseason results could not have been much better, going unbeaten with five wins out of six including facing some higher league opposition. But can you really draw too many conclusions from those results?

MR: Preseason is used for many different things and every team does it differently. When you’re looking at what you aim to get out of those games, results are probably bottom of the list of importance. But at the same time whenever you play teams from leagues above your own, you know it will be a tough game no matter what side they put out. So we are happy with the way we competed in those games first and foremost. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice to get positive results, but it means nothing at this stage. It’s all about making sure we are improving in our style of play both in and out of possession.

“The FA Cup is massive competition. The players want to play against the best teams possible and the further you go, the more chance you have of coming out of the

”

draw against a big team 10 || @HebburnTownFC /HebburnTownFC 10

Q: How big of a blow was it when last season ended prematurely? Especially considering how well the team were doing to put the club within the hunt for promotion and in the semi-final of the FA Vase.

MR: The season stopped when we felt that we had started to click really well as a group. It was gutting that the season had to end that way but obviously there were bigger problems in the world which made football relatively unimportant. We’re all raring to go and we will be aiming to start the season flying.

Q: The FA have made the decision to complete last season’s Vase with us in semi-final action away to Corinthian at the weekend. How pleased were the lads to hear that their incredible work in the competition was not going to come to nothing?

MR: The Vase has been on everyone’s minds for months because it’s such a big thing for non-league clubs around the country. We were so close and to have what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of the players and the fans to get to Wembley possibly taken away from us was a heart-breaking thought. We have a massive game next week. It’s a tough away day but the group are excited to go there and get the job done and give the town of Hebburn a day out to look forward to.

MR: The FA Cup is a massive competition. It’s a privilege to play even a small part in it. To get through these early rounds and earn the club a little bit of prize money would be brilliant. The players want to play against the best teams possible and the further you go, the more chance you have of coming out the draw against a big team.

Q: And if we get past Hemsworth we have another home draw against the team that knocked us out last season, Pontefract Collieries. Would you be relishing the chance for revenge against the step four side?

MR: For these rounds it doesn’t matter who we play as long as we get positive results. We got beat off Pontefract last season in the replay at home after being the better team in the first tie at their place. It was a match we felt we should have won down in Pontefract as the performance was good enough. So if we get through it should be a good game again at our place and we will looking forward to it if we manage to do the business against Hemsworth.

Q: We have retained most of the squad that ended last season and made a few notable additions. Do you think the squad is in a good place to improve upon how we were doing last season before it got called off?

MR: The club has done well to keep hold of most of the squad from last season as that is important to have a group of players who have already gelled to give you the best chance of hitting the ground running.

On top of that, the club have made a few great additions in getting hold of players with bags of experience in Amar and Damo who some of our team have played with at other clubs. That is important as it means we know they will fit straight into the set-up here. Both have played higher up for most of their careers so it’s clear the talent they have. The team is looking strong and competitive in all positions with a mix of older experienced heads and younger lads. So it could be an exciting season ahead and we can’t wait to get going.

Michael Richardson

Q: Back to tonight’s FA Cup encounter, what would a little bit of a run in the famous old competition mean to you and the lads?

@HebburnTown | 11

Date

Versus

Comp

H/A

01/09/20

Hemsworth

FA Cup

H

05/09/20

Corinthian FC

FA Vase

A

08/09/20

Shildon AFC

ENLD1

H

15/09/20

West Auckland

ENLD1

H

22/09/20

Whickham FC

ENLD1

H

26/09/20

Thornaby

ENLD1

A

30/09/20

North Shields

ENLD1

A

03/10/20

Penrith

ENLD1

H

06/10/20

Bishop Auckland

ENLD1

H

10/10/20

Ashington AFC

ENLD1

A

13/10/20

Stockton Town

ENLD1

H

17/10/20

Sunderland RCA

ENLD1

H

24/10/20

Newcastle Benfield

ENLD1

H

31/10/20

Whitley Bay

ENLD1

A

07/11/20

Billingham Town

ENLD1

H

14/11/20

Guisborough Town

ENLD1

A

17/11/20

Newton Aycliffe

ENLD1

A

21/11/20

Ryhope CW

ENLD1

H

28/11/20

Northallerton Town

ENLD1

H

05/12/20

Consett AFC

ENLD1

A

12/12/20

Seaham Red Star

ENLD1

H

19/12/20

Shildon AFC

ENLD1

A

26/12/20

Sunderland RCA

ENLD1

A

02/01/20

Newcastle Benfield

ENLD1

A

09/01/20

West Auckland

ENLD1

A

16/01/20

Whickham

ENLD1

A

23/01/20

North Shields

ENLD1

H

30/01/20

Bishop Auckland

ENLD1

A

06/02/21

Newton Aycliffe

ENLD1

H

13/02/21

Stockton Town

ENLD1

A

20/02/21

Thornaby

ENLD1

H

27/02/21

Penrith AFC

ENLD1

A

06/03/21

Ashington

ENLD1

H

13/03/21

Whitley Bay

ENLD1

H

20/03/21

Billingham Town

ENLD1

A

27/03/21

Guisborough Town

ENLD1

H

03/04/21

Ryhope CW

ENLD1

A

10/04/21

Northallerton Town

ENLD1

A

17/04/21

Consett

ENLD1

H

24/04/21

Seaham Red Star

ENLD1

A

12 | @HebburnTown

Result

Att.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

S1

S2

S3

@HebburnTown | 13

HEMSWORTH MINERS WELFARE FC

Nickname:

Home Ground:

Founded:

The Wells

The Fitzwilliam Stadium

1981

League:

Last Season:

Northern Counties East League

6th (Season Abandoned)

Premier Division

@HebburnTown | 15

Hemsworth Miners Welfare Club History

Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC

Hemsworth Miners Welfare Football Club were formed in July 1981 out of the disbanded Hemsworth Colliery Football Club which folded in 1979. The newly formed club had to play their early football in leagues such as the Bentley League and the Barnsley Nelson League before they eventually got accepted into the Doncaster and District Senior League from where the club flourished.

After a couple of poor seasons in the Doncaster and District Senior League the team went on to Luke Danville & Luke win three successive promotions without actually Potter winning the title. Following four top six finishes in the Doncaster and District Senior League Premier Division, the club won its first honours Club Honours when they beat Kingsley Boys Football Club Northern Counties East in the Premier Division Cup Final in 1995, the score was 2-0 at Askern Welfare, both goals were League Division One Champions (2015-16) scored by Jimmy Slaughter.

Manager

Doncaster FA Challenge The following season the club were accepted into the West Riding County Amateur Football Cup Champions (1995-96) League where they took their place in Division West Riding County Amateur League Division One Champions (1996-97) West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division Cup Winners (1997-98, 2001-02) West Riding County Amateur League Division One Cup Winners (1996-97) Doncaster Senior League Premier Division Cup Winners (1994-95) Sheffield Junior Cup Winners (1997-98)

16 | @HebburnTown

One under the management of manager of the over 35’s with Craig Elkin picking up the reins.

We start the 2019 Andy Cracknell who had taken over from Billy Clark. The first season in WRCSFL Division One saw the club miss out on promotion on goal difference but the following season they made no mistake and won the championship and league cup double joining the elite in the Premier Division at Step 7 for the very first time in the clubs history.

The club also won the Doncaster Challenge Cup and the Sheffield Junior Cup during the late 1990’s. Although never winning WRCAFL Premier Division title the club were always pushing for a new higher challenge, notably the NCEL, but things were a long way off going into the new millennium. A couple of Premier Division Cup wins came in optimism and hope. the early 2000’s.

A breakthrough came when the club received 2 football foundation grants for a new state if the art clubhouse and floodlights, enabling the push to Step 6 football to begin Paul Crapper had now taken over as First Team manager and let the team into the NCEL in 2008-09 season after being accepted following ground improvements.

Paul however found it difficult through work commitments to give the first team managers job

the full attention it deserved and handed the job back to Andy Cracknell who led the team to a 10th place finish in its first season 7th in the second season. The third season 2010-11 was a bit of a disaster but the campaign will be remembered for the Club’s debut in the FA Cup after the first taste of the FA Vase the previous season.

The Club then appointed Wayne Benn as first team manager after Andy’s decision to stand down and the club relished the new challenge with Wayne and Chick at the helm.

2018-19 season started with real optimism as the management from last season were kept in place with additions to the playing group as the club looked to push on again, on reflection an excellent season but still with a few questions, if ’s and but’s but nonetheless a 4th place finish and League Cup semi-final for the first team a 3rd place finish for our Under 21’s in a very strong league, a solid season for our reserve and league winning campaign for our over 35’s were marred a little by off the field issues which saw chairman Richard Norman step down in March.

A very positive summer saw the club open the club house extension which after a fantastic facility to aid the longevity and stability of the club in years to come.

Unfortunately, the close season wasn’t just good news as we saw our reserve side disband for various reasons, however another positive was the return of chairman Richard Norman and the change from under 21 to under 23s status for our juniors provided a good base for the new season, Allan Howcroft stepped down for the 2020 season with optimism due the change in league structure which will see 3 teams promoted at the end of the season but we are under no illusions of how difficult the task will be. After a positive start to the season, the club was rocked by two resignations within a week, firstly chairman Richard Norman resigned for the second time in six months and this was quickly followed by the resignation of manager Wayne Benn and Andy Hayward who accepted a job at Ossett United.

Luke Danville was appointed player-manager in January 2020 with joint-manager Luke Potter joining the club for the forthcoming season of 2020-21. With a new-look team and another challenge for the club but one we will face headon.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare Player Profiles Brett Souter Goalkeeper

No.1 Goalie, new signing from Ossett United last season. Great shot stopper commands his box well and has first class distribution. Has proved to be an excellent signing

Luke Danville Centre Back

Club Captain and player-manager. A leader on and off the pitch. Vastly experienced centre half who will run through a brick wall for the club. Heads, boots and tackles for fun. Will pop up with the odd goal from set pieces too. Quality player and an outstanding asset. Part of the title winning squad.

Tom Cadzow Centre Back

New signing from Penistone Church.

A commanding centre half who is first class in the air and reads the game superbly. Another leader on the pitch. Ever present over the years for Penistone.

Frankie Zalo Centre Back

Franky joins the club after representing Yorkshire Amatures and Nostell Miners Welfare and is also a new addition to the squad.

Steven Jeff Left Back

Jeffy has been ever present over the last few years. Hugely experienced footballer having played higher up the pyramid for a number of clubs. A great defender who has exceptional delivery and can read the game like a book. Getting better with age. Will be a help to the younger players.

Adam Wilson Right Back/Midfield

Willo has been around the club for 6 years now. Another that come through our Under 19s set up. Still only 23 years old. Can play various positions. Quick and strong footballer who is calm on the ball. Adam is very committed who doesn’t miss a game or training session.

Also part of our title winning squad.

Owen Wildblood Right Back

Jack Wilson Midfield

Owen is part of our Under 23s team and came into the first team set-up last season. A tall tough tackling full back who likes to get forward. He has great delivery into the box and can operate at centre back or centre midfield.

Jack is another addition to the new look Wells and comes to the club from Nostell Miners Welfare where he spent all of last season.

Declan Dawson Left/Right Back

Joined us 2 years from Ossett United Under 23s. Dec is a hardworking smart footballer who has great delivery and can ping the bell expertly. Takes corners and free kicks.

Dec comes to the club after spending last season at Emley in the NCWL, he has previously played for Ossett Albion and is reunited with Joint Manager Luke Potts who Dec played under at Ossett.

Elliott Wilson Centre Back

Elliott is a new addition to the club who is an up and coming talent originally playing for Barnsley Academy before dropping into Non League, so far he has played for Gainsborough Trinity, Lincoln United and Frickley Athletic.

Matty Hughes Winger

Matty is another one who come through our Under 23s. Can operate on both flanks. He is a very quick direct player who likes the ball in behind. Has two great feet and knows where the net is.

Can also play centre forward.

Sidney Santos Winger

Sid is now into his second season with the club and improving game by game.

Another quick and tricky winger who likes to get at his man. Should become an important player for the Wells.

Tom Davis Midfield

Tom is another new addition to the club who has been out for a number of years with an ACL injury, he joins after a very impressive pre-season after a successful trial period

Declan Parker Centre Midfield

Ben Walker Centre Midfield

Ben was one of our first additions to the club and has fitted into the midfield as if he has been at the club for years, he joins us from near neighbours Athersley Rec.

Bruce Fernando Midfield

Bruce is the latest addition to the squad whos previous club was Albion Sports.

Layton Swaine Striker

Joined us in January 2020 from Belper Town and made an immediate impression, scoring on his first team debut. Still lots to come from the young striker.

Jay Davies Winger

Jase joined us this year from Campion.

A highly rated wide player who is quick, has two great feet and can strike a ball.

Should prove to be a good addition to the club.

Josh Wright Midfield

Josh is another new signing and has joined the club after a year out of football. Before that he has played at Ossett Albion and Worsbrough Bridge.

@HebburnTown | 17

THE CLUB AND COVID-19 The unprecedented pandemic has presented some unique challenges to non-league football that people with many years in the game have never seen. In this feature, Kieran Archer catches up with club director, Stephen Rutherford, to discuss how the backroom staff have kept the club running during this challenging period.

KA: Although there was a lot of talk that the Covid-19 pandemic having implications on English football, I remember it being business as usual for the gameweek that was eventually called off as I had been working on a programme. Within the club, were you preparing to play that weekend? And did it come as a shock when the season was suddenly put on hold?

SR: We were preparing for a home game against Newcastle Benfield. Ironically, it’s still on the fixtures board at the ground as a reminder of the last competitive league game scheduled before the pandemic. I guess nobody understood the true impact or extent of Covid-19 at the time.

I remember we were a little disappointed because the Northern League were one of the first leagues to cancel their schedule, whereas other leagues continued to play for at least another weekend. However, on defection it was the right move. The rest is history as they say.

KA: Originally, the club seemed to be preparing for last season to eventually restart including making a signing.

What was that limbo period like behind the scenes at the club and what kind of work was being done?

SR: We were fully focused on finishing the job that was started. We thought we’d be postponed for a few weeks but then be back at it. We still had something like six or seven league games and a two leg FA Vase semi-final so we wanted to ensure we were in a good spot for the final push. We signed Liam Connell as he was a free agent but also a great ‘keeper. Mark Foden had a hip issue at the time, so we needed to act fast with Vase deadlines in place. Unfortunately for Liam, he signed then the pandemic struck so he didn’t get to play a single minute for us. We wish him well this season at Dunston UTS. KA: When the league season was finally called off. Was it despair or relief?

SR: Despair for sure! We had worked hard as a club to meet our objectives to gain promotion and get as far as we could in the FA competitions and we were on track to achieve those objectives. The investment we put into that promotion push both financially and in hours on and off the pitch was huge. For all of that to count for nothing was quite demoralising for everyone. It was bitter sweet in terms of understanding on one hand cancelling the season was the right thing to do, but for us as a club there 18 | @HebburnTown

was a huge feeling of pain that the situation was taken out of our hands and we wouldn’t get to finish what was geared up to be a very good season for the club.

KA: What kind of challenges did it pose and what work had to be done, as a football club, not actually having a football match to put on for the best part of around five months?

SR: Covid-19 has been tough on everyone in many ways.

As a business it was very tough as not only did football stop, but our sports club had to close, staff were furloughed, and all sponsorship agreements were paused.

So, from 1st April 2020, for the period of 5 months not a single penny of income was made. Financially it was difficult, some clubs haven’t survived this period which is devastating to hear. It’s always hard to see football clubs get dissolved as we know what they mean to so many people and their communities, especially when it was caused by a situation that was out of their hands. Realising this has made us appreciate that we are one of the fortunate ones. Outside of our business we have seen the impact to the town and our community, and we’ve helped where we can with various initiatives for those most vulnerable.

After all football is our main focus but our community will always be a huge priority for us.

KA: What was the process of trying to make sure the FA Vase went ahead with the club having a place in the semi-final? Was it just a waiting game on communication from the FA, or did you do quite a lot of liaising with them?

SR: I’d probably say there was no process, it was fundamentally a waiting game for all four semi-finalists. The day we heard the semi-finals were postponed we did have a heart in mouth period. There were lots of things racing through our heads: “Is that it?” “Have we been robbed of our chance?” “Will this be the closest we’ll ever come to reaching a final?” There were many lows during this period, however we had to remain positive, and although the FA kept us updated when news was available it was tough waiting. Especially when news of leagues being null & voided and then 2020/21 season plans were being shared.

You ask yourself, “will it ever happen?” To be fair to the FA they have come up trumps with a solution and a one leg semi-final instead of two will take place. That’s the main thing, we get a game and a chance!

KA: When a return to action was allowed, what kind of work did the backroom staff have to do to make sure they were ready to stage games?

SR: It was a difficult scenario for the club. We had no information as to when the league season would start but we had some sketchy information that the FA Vase might get played before the start of the 2020/21 season. As a result, we decided with the management team and players to come back slightly earlier. We have to give huge credit to our players and staff mind, they’ve completed a 6 week preseason programme. Their approach has been very professional in their planning and the work on the pitch with the strength and conditioning coach, the sports therapist team and of course the management duo of Kevin and Mick. In hindsight it has worked out well. Preseason has brought many challenges though, most of them off-field.

We’ve had to amend our schedule on numerous occasions and unfortunately we couldn’t have crowds for the majority of preseason so a big source of income was lost.

But we’ve got on with it and fortunately we have had the opportunity to welcome a limited number of fans back in for our final two games.

KA: Was there a challenge in putting together a preseason schedule on shorter notice than the club is used to?

SR: We had a very good schedule organised, but like I previously alluded to, the challenge was more the chopping and changing of games due to other clubs amending their schedules. An example is we had home fixtures scheduled against Whitby Town and Gateshead, but as their league season was delayed until October, we had to cancel as their teams delayed their start to preseason. So then we then had to find alternative clubs. We managed it but it has not been plain sailing.

“Football without fans is absolutely nothing. Limitations are lifting from August 31st but we hope sooner rather than later they are removed so we can ensure all people who want to watch us can visit the ground.

”

KA: Now that fans are allowed back into the ground in limited numbers, has it been all hands on deck in implementing the relevant distancing guidelines?

SR: There has been some added pressure this preseason as a result of Covid-19. Non-league Football is almost the same but as a club we have had to adopt new measures to ensure safety of players, staff, officials and of course our spectators. Hand sanitiser stations, two-metre gaps, track and trace, etc. All necessary of course and I’m pleased we are ahead of the game so to speak. We have everything in place. Now we just want to see spectators increase to normal capacity and allow everyone to enjoy the football ahead.

KA: How big of a boost has it been to allow some fans back in? And how keen are the club to see fan number limits lifted?

SR: It was a huge boost! Football without fans is absolutely nothing. We aren’t Premier League or professional and clubs at our level haven’t got the luxury of broadcasting games without fans. We need our loyal support to help the club run. Importantly everyone has missed watching live football and we are overjoyed our fans can now do that. Limitations are lifting from August 31st but we hope sooner rather than later they are removed so we can ensure all people who want to watch us can visit the ground.

I firmly believe non-league football will benefit from this scenario in the long term. With the situation making the reintroduction of crowds more complicated at the professional level, we have already seen a 50% increase in season ticket sales. We hope that some of the people who have turned to non-league during this time catch the bug for it and that we will see our average crowd increase over the season. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fans for their continued dedication and support to our club. Thank You

Stephen Rutherford /HebburnTownFC | 19

Hebburn TV

20 | @HebburnTown

NoticeBoard Aycliffe Trip rearranged The Northern League opening day fixture away to Newton Aycliffe on Saturday 5 September was only in the fixture list for a few hours.

The match was quickly postponed as the FA announced this weekend would be the semi-final of the FA Vase.

This means the trip to Aycliffe will now take place on Tuesday 17 November.

FA Vase Tickets Sold OUT

Meanwhile, the free Saturday next weekend will be taken by the Pontefract Collieries game should we beat Hemsworth tonight.

Tickets for this Saturday’s FA Vase semi-final against Corinthian FC have now sold out.

This means a full allocation of 150 Hebburn supporters will be making the circa 10 hour round trip to Kent and back.

We would like to thank our magnificent supporters for going above and beyond yet again.

Busy Week for ex Hebburn Juniors

Also making us proud was Dan Neil, who has been shining for Sunderland in preseason.

He was tipped as putting in a man-of-the-match performance in the Black Cats’ warm-up match with Harrogate Town, including assisting the winner with a lovely through ball for Will Grigg.

There was plenty of attention on a couple of former Hebburn Town Juniors players this week, as Dan Neil continued to star in Sunderland’s preseason and Sam Greenwood has been on the move.

Greenwood, who was on the books at Arsenal following a move from Sunderland in 2018, has joined another Premier League club in Leeds United.

The duo played together for Hebburn Town Juniors and were managed by Stephen Rutherford and Dan’s father, Chris Neil.

Also part of that side was Bali Mumba, who has also had a busy summer with a move to Championship side Norwich City.

The 18-year-old forward is an England youth international including hitting 12 goals in 14 games for the U17s and is likely to get some action in the EFL Trophy for Leeds United this season to help him push towards senior football.

Hebburn TV | 21

HEBBURN TOWN Ebac Northern League Division One

CLUB HONOURS

Wearside League Champions: 1966/67 Northern Combination Champions: 1943/44 Tyneside League Champions: 1938/39 Durham Challenge Cup Winners: 1942/43, 1991/92 Northern League Division Two Runner Up: 2017/18

CLUB RECORDS Best FA Cup Performance: Fourth Qualifying Round (2011/12)

Best FA Trophy Performance: Second Qualifying Round Replay (1994/95) Best FA Vase Performance: Semi Finals (2019/20 Ongoing) Record Attendance: 1,705 v Plymouth Parkway (FA Vase Quarter Final 19/02/20) Biggest Win: 10-1 Heaviest Defeat: 3-10 22 | @HebburnTown

Club Hebburn was very different back in 1912. The collieries that had changed it from a small agricultural hamlet to a cosmopolitan but pretty grimy industrial town were nearing peak employment of 1,864 men, the shipyards launched by Andrew Leslie were in full vigour and the town, 11 years earlier, had welcome a diminutive Frenchman called Alphonse Reyrolle.

Reyrolle opened an engineering works, initially employing just 50 men, in the former dye factory next to St Aloysius’s church. At its peak Reyrolles would employ 12,000 men from a wide range of backgrounds, religions and cultures and export to 70 countries and be known worldwide.

The company also started a football team, encouraged by industrialist and mine owner Sir Ralph Carr-Ellison, another famous name in Hebburn history who provided the sports ground on which the Northern League side still plays. Football has played a major part in the life of the town, a cornerstone of its history.

Probably it also helped the population forget the harshness of day-to-day life, families of ten and more in insanitary, two-up two-down houses. When the last pit closed in 1931, it had claimed the lives of almost 200 men and boys.

There’d been plenty of teams before 1912, of course, notably Hebburn Argyle – kicked off in 1882 by Father Toner, the priest at St Aloysius’s. The town had so many Scots, they became known as the Tyneside Highlanders. Pre-World War 1 derbies with Jarrow would attract crowds of 8,000.The Geordie town also had Shinty and Curling Clubs and even an annual Highland Games, organised by the Hebburn Celtic Society.

Alphonse Reyrolle had actively encouraged his workers to take part in sport, including “barefoot” football, and formed the Employees’ Benevolent Association. The team formed in 1912, elected to the second division of the Jarrow and District Junior League, was suitably booted, however.

They progressed, flourished in the 1930s, had a wartime season in the North Eastern League, won the Durham Challenge Cup in 1943, and returned to the Northern Combination where they stayed until 1958. In 1959-60, Reyrolles had another season in the terminally ailing North Eastern League but finished bottom with just eight points.

The club then had 28 seasons in the Wearside League, and won the league in 1966 and the Monkwearmouth Cup in 1968.

In 1988, following the demise of the iconic engineering company A. Reyrolle, the name was changed to Hebburn and application made to join the Northern League – though it was before the days of automatic promotion and relegation and there wasn’t a vacancy. The ground was improved and other clubs canvassed. The break, however, came when North Shields created a vacancy by deciding by deciding to play elsewhere. The team played its first Northern League game on August 19 1989, winning 2-1 at Shotton Comrades, won promotion and the Durham Challenge Cup in 1992 but were relegated – contentiously – for failing to meet ground criteria. They won the Craven Cup in 1999-2000.

History In season 2011/12, Hebburn reached the FA Cup final qualifying round – a dream tie at neighbours Gateshead, from whom they were separated by 125 league places – and secured promotion in third place after a fascinating and exciting final ten games which took the team up to the first division In 2012/13 Hebburn Town met their target of staying in the first division after a nerve racking end to the season.

During the close season however manager Paul Bennett decided to leave the club for Jarrow Roofing along with his assistant Dean Nicholson. Unfortunately the team followed suit and in June the club had to start from scratch; two ex-Hebburn players Scott Oliver and Davy Bell took up the challenge and the new management team successfully assembled a squad of mainly young players with a base of experienced players to give the team a good mix.

Unfortunately, the very young and somewhat inexperienced side could not avoid relegation although they played with spirit, commitment and enthusiasm throughout the season. The team received many plaudits for their playing style and attitude and also achieved some notable results; although relegated the team got stronger as the season progressed.

The squad in 2017/2018 season had a magnificent run from Jan 2018 – May 2018 that seen the Hornets record just 2 losses in all competitions, this fine form secured promotion to the Ebac Northern League Division One by finishing in second place.

The following season saw Hebburn finish in second place in their first season back in Division 1. Michael Richardson was the side’s top scorer with 25 goals, and they enjoyed a 13-game unbeaten run towards the end of the season.

Last season also saw a remarkable FA Vase run in which then manager Scott Oliver guided his side to the fifth round of the competition. Astonishingly, the home attendance record was broken twice as 1,302 people saw the 4-0 win over City of Liverpool in the first round and 1,310 saw the 2-0 defeat to West Auckland in the fifth round.

In the summer of 2019, manager Scott Oliver stepped down from his role and reserve team manager Kevin Bolam stepped up to the role. The new management team of Kevin Bolam and assistant Mick Mulhern had a promising first season in charge, with the team in the promotion hunt before the season was voided as well as reaching the semi-final of the FA Vase which is still to be played.

Hebburn Town has now enjoyed 30 seasons and over 1,000 games in the Northern League. Hopefully, they will continue to build on their great legacy for another 1,000 games.

/HebburnTownFC | 23

Hebburn town First team squad

Danny Carson Defender

Experienced ball-playing centre-half into his second season with Hebburn after joining the in the summer of 2019 from Morpeth Town. Played for Jarrow Roofing and South Shields before joining Morpeth.

Mark Foden Sponsored by Gary & Tracy Rogers Goalkeeper

24-year-old goalkeeper from Scotland with a wealth of experience. Formerly of St Mirren, Ross County, Stirling and Stenhousemuir, Foden crossed the border to join Gateshead at the start of the 2018/19 season. He moved to Blyth Spartans on a permanent deal the following summer but found himself out of favour and joined Hebburn in December 2019.

Angelos Eleftheriadis Sponsored by Andrew Toal Defender

Defender who joined in December 2019 after a spell at Whitley Bay. Brought in primarily as the strength and conditioning coach, he has been registered as a player for cover with his vast playing experience in the Northern League and in Europe.

Darren Lough Sponsored by The Chapman Family Defender

Versatile defender who mainly plays at left-back. who Joined the club in the summer of 2019 from South Shields. Previously spent four years playing in Iceland with KA Akureyri and IA Akranes.

Dan Groves Defender

Jack Donaghy Defender

Sponsored by David Paul A versatile player who can play anywhere on the pitch, but mainly plays at centre-back. A product of the Hornets academy, Jack made his debut in 2017 and won Player of the Year in the 2017-2018 season.

24 | @HebburnTown

Louis Storey Midfielder

Sponsored by Ray Straughan Strong right footed defender with bags of energy and loves a tackle.

The experienced defender is mainly deployed at right-back. Joined the club in June 2018 from Shildon AFC.

Sponsored by Co Op Funeralcare

Carl Taylor Midfielder

Sponsored by Terry Smith Strong midfielder with bags of experience for a young age who joined the club in the summer of 2018 from South Shields. The NUFC academy graduate was made club captain in the 2019-20 season and can also play at centre-back.

Sponsored by Kevin Millar Wall & Floor Tiling Contractor: 07947159557

Midfielder who joined the club in the summer of 2019 from Gateshead Leam Rangers in the Wearside League.

Damen Mullen Midfielder Sponsored by John Havelock Senior A dynamic and experienced midfielder who joins following a long spell with Blyth Spartans. Can also play defensive midfield where he helped Morpeth Town to the FA Vase title in 2016 while on a dual registration deal.

Michael Richardson Midfielder Sponsored by Gavin Johnston

Lewis Suddick Midfielder

A talented midfielder who joined the Hornets in August 2018 ahead of the 2018/2019 campaign. A NUFC academy graduate and vast experience with teams such as Blyth Spartans and South Shields FC.

Robbie Spence Midfielder

Sponsored by Julie Stokoe

Winger who joined the club from Whitley Bay in January 2019. The pacey winger, who is a Newcastle United academy graduate, has also played for North Shields.

Graeme Armstrong Sponsored by Tyne & Wear LGV Forward Graeme joined the club in the summer of 2018 from South Shields FC. An experienced professional who knows just where the onion bag is.

Graeme has previously played for clubs such as Whitby Town, Blyth Spartans, Darlington and Gateshead.

Talented midfielder who joined the Hornets in the summer of 2018 from Team Northumbria. Can also fill in at right-back.

Thomas Potter Midfielder

Sponsored by LLK Doors & Windows

Potter is a creative winger who can play on either side of midfield. He joined from Morpeth in December 2019 after making 34 appearances for them over the course of one-anda-half seasons. Preceding that, he played for Whitley Bay.

Luke Salmon Midfielder Sponsored by Helen & Peter Stoker Luke joined this summer from Whitley Bay where he has previously worked with Mick Mulhern. A natural left-sided player with bags of Northern League experience, Luke adds balance to the squad as well as offering both flair and grit.

Michael McKeown Midfielder

Sponsored by David Thomas

Tall experienced midfielder who joined the club from Morpeth in December 2019. His most notable achievement is winning the FA Vase with his former club North Shields in 2015. He’s also played for West Auckland in the Northern League.

Sponsored by Fire Logistics Ltd 0191 214 6400

Olly Martin Forward

Sponsored by Amber Robinson Versatile striker who joined the club in the summer of 2019 from Whitley Bay. The Newcastle United academy graduate has also played for Jarrow Roofing.

Cedwyn Scott Forward

Sponsored by CNC Photography 21-year-old striker who joined from Dunston UTS in January 2020. He has a keen eye for goal and was Dunston’s second top scorer before leaving the club. Scott has also played for Dundee, Berwick Rangers and Forfar Athletic in Scotland.

Amar Purewal Forward

Sponsored by Three Rivers Health & Safety

A tall and skilful striker who joined this summer. Versatile with bags of experience and a good goal-scoring record having played for the likes of Durham City, Bishop Auckland Darlington FC & recently West Auckland Town.

@HebburnTown | 25

Hebburn town Management team Kevin Bolam Manager

Sponsored by Andrew Evans

Mick Mulhern Assistant Manager Sponsored by SWL Scaffolding Ltd

Kevin stepped up to the role of first team manager in the summer of 2019 following time managing the reserves who he guided to the Wearside League title in 2019.

In his first season as first team manager, he had his team well in the promotion race and reached the FA Vase semi-final.

Jason Miller Goalkeeper Coach

Experienced coach who has managed Sunderland Ladies and Whitley Bay. Has also been assistant coach of England U23s and was previously head of coaching and development at Jarrow Roofing.

Sponsored by The Autism Awareness Foundation

Goalkeeper coach who joined Kevin Bolam’s coaching team in the summer of 2019. He is a Uefa B licensed coach who is also an FA Coach Education tutor.

Physio Team: First Team Sports Therapist - Michael Patterson First Team Sports Therapist - Darren Noble Strength and Conditioning - Angelos Eleftheriadis

PRESEASON ROUND-UP

Tuesday 4 August Heaton Stannington 0-3 Hebburn Town

The Hornets kick-started preseason with an emphatic away win against Division Two side Heaton Stannington.

The scoring got underway with an unfortunate own goal by the Stan’s ‘keeper.

Last season’s top scorer, Graeme Armstrong, starred on the night. He poached the first goal with his head before assisting Olly Mar tin for the second who smashed into the top corner after Armstrong flicked on.

Friday 7 August Hebburn Town 2-0 Morpeth Town Jack Foalle put the Highwaymen ahead in the 27th minute before Cedwyn Scott equalised just a few minutes later after getting on the end of a ball over the top before chipping the ‘keeper.

Scott grabbed his brace with a great finish in the 60th minute but this time Morpeth levelled with a ball in behind to Joe Walton who lifted the ball over Foden.

26 | @HebburnTown

Tom Potter (top) and Michael Mckeown (bottom) in action against Morpeth

Saturday 15 August Hebburn Town 4-2 West Allotment Celtic The Hornets played out a highly-entertaining home encounter with Division Two side West Allotment Celtic.

Hebburn went 3-0 up inside 52 minutes with goals from Olly Martin and a Graeme Armstrong brace.

The visitors pulled a goal back before Armstrong bagged his hat-trick just minutes later.

West Allotment scored again in the 70th minute to give themselves a fighting chance in the final 20 minutes

Tuesday 18 August South Shields FC 0-1 Hebburn Town For their next encounter, the Hornets travelled to Mariners Park to play higher league opposition and picked up one of their most impressive results of preseason.

After absorbing some pressure with resolute defending, Hebburn won it with a stunning strike from Robbie Spence in the 85th minute.

Saturday 22 August Hebburn Town 4-1 Jarrow FC We had the pleasure of welcoming fans back for another game against local neighbours and the Hornets put on a show against the Division Two side.

Hebburn went 4-0 up with goals from four different scorers with Graeme Armstrong, Robbie Spence, Carl Taylor and Cedwyn Scott all on the scoresheet.

Jarrow, who gave a great account of themselves, pulled a goal back with a nice team move finished off by Adam Lennox.

Tuesday 25 August Hebburn Town 3-0 Blyth Spartans Hebburn completed an unbeaten preseason with another very impressive win against higher league opposition.

New Hornet Amar Purewal bagged a first-half brace against the National League North side and midfielder Robbie Spence continued his impressive preseason scoring form by adding the third just after half-time @HebburnTown | 27

Teammates Best Music Taste

Worst Music Taste

Michael Richardson and Dan Carl Taylor Groces are the dressing room DJs. Who came back

Most Vocal

Either Louis Storey or Graeme Armstrong

Falls asleep on the team coach

Carl Taylor

Robbie Spence

With

for preseason in the best shape?

Louis Storey

Who would you least like to challenge to a boxing match?

Darren Lough or Dan Groves

Hebburn Sports Club

Fastest

I’d probably say Amar Purewal

Best Dancer

Slowest

It’s probably between Louis Storey, Michael McKeown and myself

Stand-in goalkeeper

There’s not a single good dance in the whole squad and that has been proven on team nights out

Jack Donaghy - the boy could play anywhere

Most time in front of a mirror

Most likely to be a successful manager

Lewis Suddick

Graeme or Louis

Looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion? Well look no further than Hebburn Sports Club function room. It is the perfect place to celebrate a Wedding, Christening, Holy Communion or Birthday.

Businesses are also welcome as our function room can also cater for a wide range of commercial events.

Speak to our bar manager or even contact us on 0191 483 5101 to see what Hebburn Sports Club can do for you!

28 | @HebburnTown

Next up For The Hornets

V Corinthian FC

Away FA Vase

Saturday

5 September Semi-Final 2020 3PM

Ben Potts puts the spotlight on our next opponents. This week, the team in question is our FA Vase semi-final adversaries Corinthian FC, the Kent-based Southern Counties East League side.

After starting the season with tonight’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary tie with Hemsworth, Kevin Bolam’s side travel to Kent for the long-awaited FA Vase semi-final with Corinthian FC. The tie was supposed to take place over two legs in April but was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will now take place as a one-off game at Gay Dawn farm in Sevenoaks on Saturday.

Founded: 1972

Michael Goulding’s side of the Southern Counties East League reached this stage by beating Sheppey United, Canterbury City, Ascot United, Chatham Town, Sporting Khalsa and Leighton Town.

League: Southern Counties East League Premier Division

Corinthians list of notable former players include current Kent cricketer Sam Billings, former Premier League star ITV jungle legend Jimmy Bullard, and Peterborough United forward Mo Eisa.

Last season: 2nd (season abandoned)

In 2019-20 - or ‘the season that never happened’ as I like to call it - they were sitting in 2nd in the Premier Division of the Southern Counties East League when the season was abandoned.

Home Colours: Green and White hoops

They were founded in 1972, initially as a youth team for eight to nineyear-olds. They were named Corinthian as a nod to the amateur side Corinthian FC who toured the world and inspired the Corinthians of São Paulo and the white shirts of Real Madrid.

Away Colours: Yellow and Green Ground: Gay Dawn Farm

This Corinthian side, however, play in green and white hoops and may not have toured the world to the extent that the original London side is. Instead, they have a strong history of youth development and since the re-establishment of their senior sides have consistently seen steady progress.

No, not that one!

@HebburnTown | 29

My time With Hebburn James Main talks about his time as Head of Media at Hebburn in the last two seasons, his appreciation for the club, and his plans following his graduation It has been an absolute honour to serve as Head of Media at Hebburn Town over the past two seasons during my time at University.

When I first got involved at a Northern League club in 2017/18, namely Seaham Red Star, I never expected to see such high quality and entertaining football at such a low level.

Before I studied Sports Journalism at the University of Sunderland, I was a season ticket holder at Morecambe so I was used to League 2 football which at the best of times was dull. You do get the odd good game at that level though!

When I saw the opportunity arise to come onboard at Hebburn Town, I jumped at the chance. I didn’t know a great deal about the club, but when I met with Stephen Rutherford and he explained the club’s ambitions it was a no-brainer to join.

I’m so glad that I did get onboard at the club. I have seen some great football, worked with two great managers in Scott Oliver and Kevin Bolam and met some really great people which I will come onto in a moment.

It’s a good job I wasn’t bad luck to Hebburn like I was at Seaham – I saw some cracking wins. In 2018/19 the ones that come to mind are a 9-0 win over Whitley Bay, a big 4-0 win over City of Liverpool in the first round of the Vase and a dramatic 2-1 win over Hallam.

Equally last season a 13-0 win over Birtley Town, a last-minute winner from Robbie Spence away at Longridge in the Vase and many more – it was just a shame the season was cut short by Covid-19!

During my time, I’ve seen, interviewed and got to know many good players including the likes of Graeme Armstrong, Paul Chow and Louis Storey.

I’ve also really enjoyed getting to know and having good banter with the likes of Stephen Rutherford, Vin Pearson, Ricky Bainbridge, Dave Patterson, Helen and Peter Stoker, Colin and Terry Smith, Kim Furlong, Mick and William Laffey, Sean Harrison, Richard Waugh, Tony Robinson, Bob Smith and many more.

30 | @HebburnTown

What has particularly touched me is the way everyone at the club appreciates the work you do for them, and that has really helped me along the way.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped and assisted me in my work at the club, the likes of Kieran Archer (who now steps up to become Head of Media for this season), Ed Painter, Stephen Rutherford, Sean Harrison and Richard Waugh.

I bet you’re thinking, where’s he going? Well now I’ve graduated from university, I am making the move to London to start a new job next week.

I am going to be working as a Personal Assistant for a disabled Sports Journalism student at the University of East London, and I hope to do some freelance work as a journalist alongside this too.

I will be at the Hemsworth game, and I look forward to that as it’ll be my first game since before lockdown, but unfortunately my last time at the Green Energy Stadium for some time. I will be at the FA Vase final should we make it!

I would like to wish everyone at the club all the best for the future, and I hope the team goes far – it certainly has the potential to!

All the best, James

JamesM ain

facebook.com/HebburnTownFC

Hebburn TV | 31

Quiz Corner

Guess WHO?

Spot the ball

Word Search Clues: 1. Tonight’s competition 2. The current holders of the competition 3. The team who knocked us out of this competition last season 4. The home county of tonight’s opponents 5. New Hornets forward who signed this summer 6. Current Hornets goalkeeper 32 | @HebburnTown

FA Cup QUiz 1. Who won the last FA Cup 6. Only one team has won Final at the old Wembley? the FA Cup and then been relegated in the same season. Who was it?

2. Which team has won the most FA Cups?

7. Who was the last team from outside the top flight 3. Who won the FA Cup in to win the FA Cup? the competition’s centenary year in 1972?

8. Where was the first FA Cup Final held?

4. Gateshead FC had their record FA Cup run in 2014/15 when they 9. Who is the only player reached the Third Round. to score in four different Who did they eventually FA Cup Finals? fall to?

10. Who are the last (and 5. Who are credited as the only since the formation of first ‘working man’s team’ the Football League) nonto win the FA Cup? league team to win the FA Cup? ANSWERS: Guess who: Graeme Armstrong, Spot the ball: D Word Search: 1. FA Cup (Horizontal), 2. Arsenal (Vertical, upside down), 3. Pontefract (Vertical), 4. Yorkshire (Vertical, upside down), 5. Purewal (Vertical, upside down), 6. Foden (Diagonal) Quiz: 1. Chelsea (2000), 2. Arsenal (14) 3. Leeds United, 4. West Brom (7-0 defeat), 5. Blackburn Olympic (1883), 6. Wigan Athletic (2013), 7. West Ham (1980), 8. Kennington Oval (The Oval), 9. Didier Drogba, 10. Tottenham Hotspur (1901 while playing in the Southern League)

@HebburnTown | 33

Change the conversation on mental health #headsup thefa.com/headsup

Editor’s Notes

Hello everyone and welcome to The Green Energy Stadium for tonight’s FA Cup fixture against Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC. I’ve been looking forward to tonight for some time, my first time back in a football ground since the lockdown. I still find it absolutely crazy when I think about just how long it has been, my last visit to a football ground being the trip to Seaham Red Star on March 10.

After missing the preseason matches as I was taking some time in the last month to spend with my family in West Yorkshire, who I didn’t see until lockdown restrictions were eased a little bit in June, I can’t wait to see the lads back in action tonight as well as getting my first glimpse of the new signings.

It was such a shame how last season had to end. For all the work the lads put into the league campaign to have come to nothing was gutting to see. But we have to accept that it was the safest thing to do as we were at the height of the pandemic.

We have to give a lot of credit to the FA for finding a solution to complete last season’s FA Vase. As much as I love a little bit of an away day, it has to be said that was not the draw I was hoping for. It’s going to be a long and tense weekend travelling down to Kent, but I’m delighted for the squad that they get the chance to win their place at Wembley.

We understand that a lot of people who would want to be there will not have the chance due to fan number and travel limitations. As a club, we are looking into solutions to broadcast the match via a video stream and we are liaising with people who have experience in that. As the media manager, I will try everything to wrap my head around getting a video stream going, even though it is not something I have set up before.

I appreciate that watching the game on a stream is not the same as being at the ground. As a Leeds United fan, I had the bittersweet experience of watching my club finally win promotion back to the Premier League – something I’ve waited most of my life to see – on my TV. I can tell you, if the lads get the job done and send Hebburn to Wembley, that moment when the final whistle goes is much more sweet than it is bitter. I was not even thinking about the disappointment of not being at Elland Road when the referee called the end to the barrage we were facing against Barnsley.

For those of you lucky enough to get down there, make sure you do your best to make enough noise for all the people who miss out.

Back to tonight’s game, it’s always interesting when playing an unfamiliar opponent. Hemsworth have been on my list of grounds to tick off when I’m at home in West Yorkshire for a few years now, but I still haven’t made it with others such as Ossett and Liversedge being easier for me.

Respect to Hemsworth, that is not a nice journey to do on a Tuesday night. Considering that this game had to be scheduled for a midweek instead of a Saturday as the extra-prelim round usually is, you wonder if the draw could have been localised a little bit more. If the boot was on the other foot, especially considering the journey we have on Saturday as well, I don’t think we’d have been happy with that draw.

I’m sure they’ll be keen to make an impression. They will not have made a journey like that to not come and put in a performance.

I genuinely love the FA Cup. Even though I’ve rarely seen the magic of it myself. I’ve spent today googling the longest runs made by teams at each non-league step. I will always dare to dream - within reason of course - and it would be great to see the lads get through a couple of the qualifying rounds and get the chance to play some big non-league teams along the way.

Come on you Hornets!

Enjoy the game,

Kieran Archer @HebburnTown | 35

Hebburn Town

HeMsworth MW FC

Manager: Kevin Bolam Mark Foden (GK)

Start

Manager: Luke Danville and Luke Potter Sub

Sub

Start

Brett Souter Luke Danville

Dan Groves Jack Donaghy

Tom Cadzow

Darren Lough

Frankie Zalo

Danny Carson

Steven Jeff Adam Wilson

Angelos Eleftheriadis

Owen Wildblood

Louis Storey

Declan Dawson

Robbie Spence

Elliott Wilson

Michael McKeown Damen Mullen

Matty Hughes

Carl Taylor

Sidney Santos

Michael Richardson Luke Salmon Tom Potter

V

Tom Davis Jack Wilson Declan Parker Ben Walker

Lewis Suddick

Bruce Fernando

Olly Martin

Layton Swaine

Amar Purewal

Jay Davies

Graeme Armstrong

Josh Wright

Cedwyn Scott Andy Coulson (GK) Kieran Hunter (GK) Dylan Rutherford Luke Hudson Liam Murray Jordan Stephenson Ethan Carter Innocent Chirinda Daniel Maddison

Attendance: Referee: Paul Mosley

MOTM: Assistant Referees: Jack Whitfield and William Teasdale