Hebburn Town matchday programme: Wembley Special, vs Pontefract Collieries, 2020-21, issue 3

2020-21 Issue 3

Are going to Wembley Special

V Hemsworth MW

Vs Pontefract Collieries Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Saturday 12th September 3PM KO

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HEBBURN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB Founded: 1912

Contents

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

4

Mick Mulhern

28 18 21

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 Honorary Life President: Billy Laffey First Team Secretary: Dave Patterson Vice Chairman: Richard Bainbridge Junior Vice Chairman: Gary Henry

5

Captain’s Column

21 30 23

8

Our Vase journey

23 36 25

Noticeboard Hebburn Player Profiles Hebburn Town History

Corinthian HebburnPlayer Town in pictures History Hebburn Profiles

10

Northern League Vase Success

38 25 26

Hebburn The VasePlayer runRound-up in numbers Profiles Preseason

12

Amar Purewal Interview

26 40

Fantasy Five-A-Side Preseason Round-up with Michael Richardson

19

Tonight’s Opponents

44

Our FA Cup history

24 15

Tonight’s Dan Groves Opponents Q&A

47

North East non-league and the FA Cup

18 15 27

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

51

Junior Kit & Equipment Officer: Chris Davies 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 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) Voice of Hebburn Town: It remains a mystery???

Editor’s Notes

@HebburnTown | 3

n

Mulh l e a er h c i M

“Dare I mention last

F

ro mt

he D

Good afternoon and welcome to both sets of supporters to Hebburn Town for this afternoon’s FA Cup tie against Pontefract Collieries.

We met over two games last season in the same competition and both of those games were very different.

Down at Pontefract we had a great opportunity to progress, however we had to settle for a home tie replay.

We didn’t turn up and we were given the run around, losing to the better team on the night.

We have improved and progressed since then and Pontefract have had a total change to their squad as they brought in Andy Monkhouse as their new manager in April.

It seems they’ve had a very impressive preseason, so we will have to be at our best to progress this afternoon.

However, we have nothing to fear and If we play like we have been recently then we have every chance this afternoon.

Dare I mention last weekend? What a roller coaster that was. The lads were top class throughout and definitely deserve their day at Wembley.

We got the job done despite the best efforts of the man in the middle, and we will leave it at that.

t u ugo

”

We are there on merit having had a very hard route to the final.

We now know we face Consett at Wembley and that should be a great game following last season’s two tight league encounters. Both ended in draws. The first was a wind spoilt awful 0-0 but the second game had everything, and ended up a 4-4 classic.

As for the Vase, it won’t get mentioned again and we have put that on the back burner.

It was a quick return from cloud 9 as we had Shildon visiting us to open our league campaign on Tuesday. The lads were fantastic, as they have been throughout preseason, and we deservedly took all 3 points against a team who will be thereabouts when the tin pots are handed out next May. Finally back to today’s game. Although we aren’t going to win the FA Cup, it would great to beat a team from a higher league and go on and test ourselves against clubs of that stature. After all, they are playing at the levels we want Hebburn Town to be at and therefore gives us a guide as to exactly where we are as we progress.

Thanks from Kev and myself for your continued support.

Enjoy the game, Mick Mulhern

Mick Mulhern 4 | @HebburnTown

weekend? What a roller coaster that was. The lads were top class throughout and definitely deserve their day at Wembley.

Louis Storey Captain’s Column honestly say I’ve never been more proud to be a part of such an amazing group of “I can people, a group of people who simply would not accept defeat and put every inch of

”

themselves: their body, mind and soul on the line to ensure we progressed to the cup final.

Wow...we did it!

We are going to Wembley, the home of football (apart from the Green Energy Sports Ground of course).

Words can’t even begin to describe how I felt watching the 5th and final Corinthians penalty sail over the bar and send us to the final. The emotional rollercoaster of the day is something I have never experienced before and I hope I will never experience again, hence the emotional reaction at the end.

I can honestly say I’ve never been more proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people, a group of people who simply would not accept defeat and put every inch of themselves: their body, mind and soul on the line to ensure we progressed to the cup final. They bounced back from setback after setback throughout the 90 minutes and extra time. I thought I knew what it meant to be a part of a strong team who are committed and selfless in a common pursuit, however I was wrong.

Everything I thought I had seen and experienced regarding team morale and togetherness comes nowhere near close to what I witnessed in the semi-final tie.

It’s not to be underestimated what this means to everyone who is associated, connected and in support of the club and I am delighted that we have this wonderful day to look forward to together. When I first joined this brilliant football club it was one of our clear goals, to take this club to the most sought-after game for our level of football nationally. We have a unique and special club which is community based, hard-working and ambitious!

All the hours from our incredibly hard-working volunteers, club officials and supporters behind the scenes has contributed to this achievement just as much as the dedicated and talented staff and group of players.

On a personal level, I have not hidden how much it means to me to go back to Wembley following my last trip with South Shields. It was an unbelievable occasion and winning the competition was special, but this time will be different and the thought of leading this group out on the day is something I have not properly processed. All I can imagine is that it will be one of my proudest moments and I am truly honoured to represent this club and FIGHT once again to attempt to win the cup.

Hopefully, we get the opportunity to travel down with you, our amazing supporters and we must stay positive in the decision we heard yesterday. It goes without saying that the staff and group of players want to represent the club in front of our amazing fans and family, so I am hopeful this will allow us to do so!

If and when the final comes and in whatever capacity, we will be ready to go one step further.

In the meantime, we will focus our attentions to the FA Cup and league campaign. We must build on the fantastic performance and result against Shildon and take that into today’s game against a team we have unfinished business with from last year’s competition. We hope to show our strength once again against a higher opposition and progress to the next round.

See yous around, hopefully I’ll be on back on the pitch soon.

Louis Storey

So to you, I say thank you and congratulations!

@HebburnTown | 5

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Saturday 2nd November 2019

Hebburn’s Road to Wem

Second Round Proper

Hebburn Town 3-0 Sunderland RCA Hebburn Town got their Vase campaign underway at the Green Energy Stadium in a Northern League derby against Sunderland RCA.

The Hornets were dictating play in the second half but were frustrated for a long time as substitute goalkeeper Kieron Ezard made save after save.

It took a while for the Hornets to find a breakthrough, as they were frustrated for much of the first half.

They finally found a breakthrough 15 minutes from time when Richardson’s cross from the right found Spence at the far post to head home.

Jack Robson had a good chance early on when a Michael Richardson through ball broke for him around the ‘keeper but his effort was blocked off the line.

The pair combined again in the 22nd minute, Robson released through on goal and attempted to find Dan Groves in the centre for an open goal but RCA cleared.

The away side could have taken the lead around the half-hour when Nathan O’Neill and Mark Davison saw efforts blocked off the line after O’Neill pickpocketed Andrew Jennison to win the ball in the Hebburn box.

A tough game was made tougher for Sunderland RCA when their goalkeeper Robert Dean was sent off for taking out an onrushing Graeme Armstrong.

Richardson was on target for the second goal when substitute Olly Martin found him inside the box with an excellent through ball and the midfielder finished well into the bottom right.

Hebburn put the game beyond any doubt at the end of normal time when Armstrong turned home Ben Dibb-Fuller’s low cross from close range.

This would prove to be the Hornets’ last home game for a while, as they headed on the road for the next few rounds.

First up, a trip to Lower Breck in the third round proper.

mbley: The story so far

Saturday 30th November 2019

Third Round Proper

Lower Breck 1-5 Hebburn Town

The third round proper gave us the first of two trips to Merseyside, and the first of three trips to the North West of England.

And they finally found the breakthrough around the half hour when Ben Dibb-Fuller’s cross was only half-cleared to Martin on the right side of the box and he fired low inside the near post.

It was a journey into the unknown. We faced a Lower Breck side who were going extremely well in the North West Counties Division One North.

The Hornets took clear control in the second half.

Though their record in that league was excellent, the North West Counties is historically weaker than the Northern League, and they were in Division One, which is step six and a level below Hebburn.

Despite that, they had knocked out our fellow Northern League Division One promotion challengers in Shildon AFC in the previous round, a clear sign they were not be taken lightly.

And then the unthinkable happened, Lower Breck went ahead within three minutes through Louis Austin who pickpocketed Louis Storey in his defensive third for a clear sight of goal and then finished into the bottom left corner.

And it was taking a while for Hebburn to get going, the signs were worrying.

However, they eventually did and saw good chances for Michael Richardson and Olly Martin go begging.

They took the lead five minutes into the second half through a Carl Taylor header.

They doubled their lead a couple of minutes later when Graeme Armstrong headed a fantastic Martin delivery towards goal and Richardson tapped in from close range to make sure of it.

Martin grabbed Hebburn’s fourth when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box and he fired clinically into the right corner.

And the forward got his hat-trick when he headed home a good cross from Richardson on the end of a great passing move from the Hornets.

Olly Martin was the start of the day, grabbing a hat-trick and was heavily involved in the third goal.

Aside from the game, we were treated to a wondeful reception by the Liverpudlians who were a delight to share the day with.

The story continues on page 14

Key fixtures round-up

A decade of Northern League Vase success

As Hebburn and Consett look to be the latest FA Vase success story from the Northern League, Ben Potts, takes look at the league’s decade of Vase dominance.

As Hebburn Town prepare to travel to Wembley to take on Consett in their first ever FA Vase Final at the end of the month, it is a great time to take a look at the remarkable record of Northern League sides in recent years.

It all started really when Whitley Bay won the competition in three successive seasons from 2009-2011 with victories over Glossop North End, Wroxham and Coalville Town in the finals.

Former Hebburn striker, Paul Chow, played and A South Shields side featuring some familiar faces scored in all three finals including opening the scoring in the 2010 final in 21 seconds, setting Morpeth won the Vase in 2016 battering much the record for the fastest goal at Wembley Stadi- fancied Hereford 4-1 in 2016. um.

Our neighbours South Shields crowned a suDunston and West Auckland played out the last perb promotion-winning campaign by beating all Northern League final in 2012 which was Cleethorpes Town 4-0 in 2017. Their side featurwon 2-0 by the Tyneside club. A good omen for ing a few current hornets such as Louis Storey, a club on the South of the Tyne against County Michael Richardson, and Darren Lough.

Durham perhaps.

Stockton were the last team from our region to Jason Ainsley’s Spennymoor Town beat Tonreach the final losing 1-0 to Thatcham in 2018 bridge Wells 2-1 in 2013 in a competition that after playing out an exciting two-leg semi-final many believe Darlington would have won had with fellow Northern League club and their they been allowed to compete by the FA. close neighbours in Marske United.

West Auckland tried their luck once more in 2014 but lost 1-0 to Sholing in the final.

Whoever wins this year will be the 7th different Northern League winner of the Vase in a staggering twelve-year period. The Northern League North Shields reached the final in 2015 and beat taking the Vase 9 times in that period with two Glossop North End 2-1 thanks to a goal from runners-up to non-Northern League clubs as club legend Gareth Bainbridge. well.

10 | @HebburnTown

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Amar Purewal

New signing Amar Purewal settled in quickly with a goal on his competitive debut. In this interview, the attacker talks settling in, linking back up with former teammate and good friend Graeme Armstrong, and coming up against his twin brother, Arjun, at Wembley.

It has been a fast start for Amar Purewal in a Hebburn shirt.

He has started the first three competitive games with Hebburn managing to win all three (including reaching the FA Vase Final) while he grabbed a goal on his debut.

On the start to the season, Amar said: “It started with preseason where I don’t think we lost a game.

“We’re just carrying on the work from preseason really, it couldn’t have gone any better so far. Obviously, I’m happy to get off the mark as well because goalscoring is a big part of my game.

“So it has been a good start and long may it continue really.”

Amar opened the scoring against Hemsworth in the previous round, heading in Tom Potter’s corner just after the quarter hour. On getting off the mark early, he added: “I was buzzing to be fair. I think the longer it takes to get off the mark, the harder you try.

“All preseason I hadn’t scored and then I scored two against Blyth and then the game after (Vs Hemsworth in the FA Cup) I scored. I don’t need pressure put on me by anyone else, I put myself under a lot of pressure to score.

“It was a big relief to get off the mark, so I was delighted.”

The attacker joined from West Auckland in the summer where he had played for a number of seasons.

On making the move, he said: “Obviously I spoke to Army before I joined. Winning trophies is a big thing and I’m 30 now.

“I looked and thought, the last few seasons I’ve finished 9th and 7th and been stuck around that mid-table area. I Think you need to have a bit of ambition if you want to achieve something in your life.

“So I took a plunge and moved to a new team. It can be daunting as you’re moving into a new changing room but it was a move that I felt I had to make if I wanted to start winning trophies.”

It was a new changing room, but one with a few familiar faces for Amar. Most notably, Graeme Armstrong. The two played alongside each other for Darlington and became good friends.

“Winning trophies is a big thing and I’m 30 now. I think you need to have a bit of ambition if you want to achieve something in your life”

12 || @HebburnTownFC /HebburnTownFC 12

On Graeme, Amar added: “I got injured quite far into our partnership when we were doing well together.

“Not only, like he said as well, are we really good friends but he’s someone I could learn from as well even at this age. It’s class to play with him and I’m over the moon to play alongside him again. He’s not only a brilliant player but also a great lad as well.

“I’ve also played alongside Dan Groves a little bit at Shildon and Michael McKeown when he was at West Auckland for a short time.

“It does help you gel quickly when there are familiar faces in there. But also, the lads in general are a good bunch.

“They made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived at the first training session. That’s a big thing, it wasn’t just the lads I knew, it was the ones I didn’t know as well. Obviously, I’ve got to know them now and they’re a really good group.”

Having experienced step four with Darlington, Amar has an idea of what it takes up there. On whether he sees the quality in the changing room at Hebburn to challenge a step four side this weekend, Amar said: “Of course we can because that is where we want to get to.

“I think it will be a good challenge because at the end of the day, if we were to get promoted this season we’d be in that league and I think we’d be alright in that league as well and would do very well. So, I definitely feel we can challenge Pontefract.”

The attacker already admitted that he has ambitions of winning trophies and with Hebburn set to compete for one of the biggest you can win as a non-league club at Wembley, he said: “I want to say I’ve hit the jackpot because in a normal world I would have been cup tied, so I’ve hit the jackpot in being able to play.

“Secondly, it’s every kid’s dream to play at Wembley. It will be massive for me and massive for my family. Obviously, it’s going to be an occasion when I’m up against my brother.

“It’s a special tie and I hope we can just get all of the fans in to see as I’d love my family to be there as well.”

On playing against his twin brother at Wembley, he added: “I want to say it’s a bittersweet feeling. Me and my brother are really close.

“There has to be one winner and one loser which is hard because I want him to win but at the same time I want to win.

With his brother playing in the centre of defence, while Amar plays as part of the attack, the two could end up in quite close contact on the pitch. He admitted it could be quite cringeworthy for his family watching on and seeing the two come up against each other: “They’ll be sat in the middle and it will probably be hard at times, there will probably be some relief when the 90 minutes is over.

“It’s the split loyalties, sat on the fence wanting both players to do well when there can only be one team that wins. That will be quite hard for them.

“It’s special, it’s very unique and doesn’t happen often. Maybe with brothers but definitely not twins coming up against each other at a national final at Wembley. It will be surreal.”

It’s easy to imagine that Amar would want to be reserved in his celebrations if Hebburn win on the day, but the striker believes that he probably would have been regardless of coming up against his brother: “I think I would have been reserved anyway because of the fact I haven’t played every game and been here for every round.

“I haven’t been through the highs of the highs that the lads have when they won in the last minute a few ties ago and so on. All I’ve done so far is played in the semi-final up to now against Corinthians which was high emotions and I did celebrate that one.

“In the final, it depends how you feel on the day. How tight the game is, how back and forth it is, you never know how it’s going to be until you’re there.”

On how special the Vase win would be compared to other big moments such as promotions with a huge club like Darlington, Amar said: “I think it would be right up there.

Amar Purewal

“So at the end of the day I just have to play like I’m up against someone I want to beat and not my brother. Then we’ll deal with all the emotion after the final whistle has gone.”

“At Darlington we were in front of a lot of fans every week.

There was a level of pressure as because they had been relegated a few divisions, you almost had to go up.

“However, this one is on a national scale and I’m up against my brother as well. It would probably be my biggest accomplishment.”

@HebburnTown | 13

The story

Saturday 11th January 2020

Fourth Round Proper

Vauxhall Motors 0-1 Hebburn Town We were sent back down to Merseyside, this time to the Wirral on the south of the river, to play away to Vauxhall Motors.

Like our previous opponents, they had a record of knocking out Northern League opposition. The difference was, their record of doing so was much longer.

After beating our Division Two neighbours Jarrow in the first round proper, they beat Division One sides Ryhope Colliery Welfare and Newcastle Benfield in the following two rounds.

A clear danger sign for Hebburn, the tension was palpable and the nerves were high.

So nothing like an early goal to settle the nerves then.

Hebburn were ahead within two minutes, the best possible start.

A great pass from Michael McKeown released Graeme Armstrong but the striker was hauled down by Tom Mitchell. Martin picked up the ball and released a wonderful curling strike that found the right corner.

However, the nerves weren’t settled for long as Hebburn failed to look like killing the game off and only being a goal ahead meant that their progression to the next round was always laying in the balance.

The Motormen had a good chance in the 18th minute when Anthony Gardner was on the end of a cross to the back post but he couldn’t find the right connection to hit the target.

There was a minor scare in the 27th minute when Mark Foden spilled a free-kick but Glenn Rule’s effort was cleared.

Martin headed over at the back post early in the second half after great work from Tom Potter on the right to set up the good opportunity.

McKeown forced Ryan Crump into action in the 66th minute with a fierce low strike towards the left corner and the ‘keeper was up to the challenge tipping it wide.

Mitchell had a chance to level as the game entered the final 10 minutes when he met a Ben Holmes free-kick but headed off target.

Crump made another good save from a strike towards the left corner, this time from Potter’s edge of the box effort.

continues

Saturday 8th February 2020

Quarter-final Page 22

Fifth Round Proper

Longridge Town 0-1 (aet) Hebburn Town

I think everyone had that realisation by this points. That realisation of, “Jesus Chris we’re actually incredibly deep into this competition now. We might actually win it.”

After seeing the lads turn over good Northern League opposition in the second round, turn around the game at Lower Breck after the early scare, and live to fight another day after playing less than their best at Vauxhall Motors, we thought they couldn’t possibly put us through anything else. We’d gone through the worst of it. Whether we in or lose, there’s no more surprises.

Longridge, a village near Preston, turned out to be the venue for the most heart-stopping game yet.

Armstrong throws himself at Olly Martin’s cross, sees both close-range header and follow-up saved by Dovey.

Second half Longridge on the counter, Scott Harries fires off target from inside the box.

Cedwyn Scott plays Richardson through one-on-one, strikes staight at Dovey, should have scored.

Scott rounds the ‘keeper, shot cleared off the line.

Extra time:

Longridge ‘keeper Lee Dovey proved the hardest test that Hebburn had faced yet, making a catalogue of saves.

Ryan McKenna somehow heads wide Tom Ince’s cross from close range.

And while the tie was level, there was always a fear of Longridge going down the other end and winning it.

Potter breaks through, shot cleared off the line by Troy Carsley.

My match notes from the game:

You can see why it started to feel like ‘just one of those days’.

Michael Richardson, low strike from the edge of the box, saved excellently by Dovey.

Graeme Armstrong on the end of Tom Potter’s squared ball, straight at Dovey.

Armstrong heads over Dan Groves’ cross from close range.

But in a somewhat cruel twist of fate, it was the excellent Dovey’s mistake that gave Hebburn a win.

Robbie Spence capitalised when he spilled a Michael McKeown free-kick and he turned home from close range.

And with that, we’re into the quarter-final.

Date

Versus

Comp

H/A

Result

Att.

1

2

3

4

5

6

01/09/20

Hemsworth

FA Cup

H

4-1

263

Mark Foden

Dan Groves

Darren Lough

Robbie Spence

Louis Storey (c)

Danny Carson

05/09/20

Corinthian FC

FA Vase

A

1-1

300

Mark Foden

Dan Groves

Darren Lough

Robbie Spence (71)

Louis Storey (c)

Danny Carson

08/09/20

Shildon AFC

ENLD1

H

2-0

300

Mark Foden

Dan Groves

18. Luke Salmon

19. Damen Mullen (63)

12. Jack Donaghy

Danny Carson

12/09/20

Pontefract

FA Cup

H

15/09/20

West Auckland

ENLD1

H

19/09/20

Seaham Red Star

ENLD1

H

Postponed

Consett AFC

FA Vase

N

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

27/10/20

Whickham

ENLD1

H

31/10/20

Whitley Bay

ENLD1

A

04/11/20

Thornaby

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

16 | @HebburnTown

7

8

9

10

11

S1

S2

S3

Tom Potter (79)

Michael McKeown (G)

Graeme Armstrong (G x2)

14. Carl Taylor (70)

17. Amar Purewal (G) (45)

15. C. Scott (45)

19. D. Mullen (70)

11. O. Martin (79)

Tom Potter

Michael McKeown (118)

Graeme Armstrong (G x2)

15. Cedwyn Scott (66)

17. Amar Purewal (115)

11. O. Martin (66)

19. D. Mullen (71)

14. C. Taylor (115)

Tom Potter (78)

Michael McKeown

Graeme Armstrong (Gx1)

14. Carl Taylor

17. Amar Purewal (73)

4. R. Spence (63)

11. O. Martin (73)

15. C. Scott (78)

S4

16. L. Suddick (118)

@HebburnTown | 17

PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES FC

Nickname:

Home Ground:

Founded:

The Colls

The Football Family Stadium

1958

League:

Last Season:

Northern Premier League Division One North West

4th (Season Abandoned) @HebburnTown | 19

Pontefract collieries Club History

Pontefract Collieries FC Manager

Andy Monkhouse

Club Honours Northern Counties East League Premier Division Champions (2017-18)

Pontefract is known to have had a football club as far back as the 1890’s when a side, presumably composed mainly of soldiers, competed in the West Yorkshire League as Pontefract Garrison. Much of the history requires further research but it is known that a Pontefract Borough Club reached the dizzy heights of the Yorkshire League in the late 1920s. By 1935 a club called Tanshelf Gems managed to acquire a ground on Ackworth Road, moved there and became Pontefract United.

2016/17 – A great start to the season led by Manager Craig Parry, Assistant Manager Craig Rouse & Head Player/Coach Luke Jeffs saw the Colls win 9 from 9 (including pre-season friendlies) The League performance saw some brilliant runs of form including one of 21 games with only 1 defeat. With the Colls fate in their own hands they only needed to win away at Worsborough Bridge in the final game. This they duly did and returned to the NCEL Premier Division at the first time of asking!

The current club was formed in 1958 enjoying considerable success on and off the field, much work being done during the miners’ strike cementing relationships with the mining industry and the local community. The floodlight opening in 1987 saw the Colls take on Hull City in a friendly watched by a record crowd of 1000.

2017/18 – A fantastic season saw the Colls produce many impressive statistics, best attack, best defence, most goals scored (134), best goal difference (+96), biggest away win (8-0 v Thackley), most clean sheets (17) on their way to promotion to Step 4 of non-league for the first time in their history.

Recent History

2012/13 – The season ended with only one deNorthern Counties East feat in the last ten games including victories over Askern Villa of 9-0 and 10-2. The club finished League Division One 5th for the 3rd season in a row.

North

Champions (1983-84)

2013/14 – This was a season of consolidation Northern Counties East which ended in a disappointing 9th place but with a clear plan in place for the 2014/15 seaLeague Floodlit Cup son.

Winners (1987-88,

1988-89)

2014/15 – The plan was delivered as the Colls Northern Counties East finished as runners-up in North Counties East League Wilkinson Sword League Division One and were promoted back to the NCEL Premier Division after a 15-year Trophy absence. Along the way they recorded the highWinners (1995-96) est away win, best aggregate score, most goals scored (joint with Louth Town), 2nd best defence Yorkshire Football and the most clean sheets.

League Division Three Champions (1981-82)

Castleford & District FA Embleton Cup Winners (1982–83, 1986–87, 1995–96, 1999–00, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08)

20 | @HebburnTown

2015/16 – The latter part of the season saw the Colls with a new management team of Craig Parry, Manager and former Colls Keeper, assisted

by Craig Rouse and Nigel Danby. The Colls fought to the bitter end but ended up 3rd from bottom and back in Division One!

2018/19 – After 2 consecutive promotions the Colls had an extremely successful first ever season at Step Four of non-league in the NPL Division One East finishing as runners up to Morpeth Town. A good pre-season saw the Colls gain 2 pieces of silverware – The Bill Cook Memorial Trophy against Glasshoughton Welfare and the Inaugural Colliery Cup from a keenly contested game against NPL Division One West side Atherton Collieries. The Colls narrowly lost out on promotion to the NPL Premier Division at the first time of asking after losing the playoff final!

2019/20 - Pre-season saw the Colls again retain the Bill Cook Memorial Trophy against Glasshoughton Welfare (winning 9-2) and also retaining the Colliery Cup against the 2018/19 NPL Division One West champions Atherton Collieries (winning 6-1) This season was unfortunately terminated in March and results expunged with the Colls sitting in 4th place with several games in hand on teams above.

2020/21 – A successful pre-season for the Colls retaining the Bill Cook Memorial Trophy against Glasshoughton Welfare (winning 5-1) and winning the last 5 pre-season games under a new management team - Manager Andy Monkhouse, Assistant Manager Ashley Vickers, Head of Scouting & Recruitment Spencer Fearn & Head Physio Nick Short.

Pontefract Collieries Player Profiles Mike Emery Goalkeeper

Emery joined the club during the offseason and became one of our first recruits.

He has vast experience at this level with Lincoln Utd and Runcorn Linnets in recent years and will be a key figure for The Colls.

Matty Nebard Defender

The pacey defender has joined the club from NCEL side Albion Sports and became The Colls first recruit of the Monkhouse era and has versatility to play either right back or centre half.

Dom Claxton Defender

The young defender has joined the club following a successful trial period at the club. Formerly at Barnsley in their academy set up, Dom has shown a calmness on the ball and a dominance in defence to show why he has been brought into the club.

Callum Walmsley Defender

A tall towering centre half who has joined the club from Barnsley on a deal until January, he has impressed during preseason and will be a good option at centre half.

Tom Clare Defender

Another towering defender who has brilliant qualities with the ball at his feet as well as in defensive positions. Tom has experience playing in the higher divisions with Bradford Park Avenue and Matlock Town, as well as Barnsley, Bradford City and Frickley Athletic.

Jack Cawthorn Defender

Jack joined the club this summer following a successful trial period with the club, he left York City last season and has impressed with his defensive qualities and ability bringing the ball out from the back.

Ben Gordon Left Back

Aleks Starcenko Attacking Midfielder

Experienced full back Gordon has joined the club this summer. He has a Scottish Cup Final Winners medal to his name amongst many Football League appearances. He has featured for the likes of Shaw Lane and Gainsborough Trinity and Boston United so has experience at this level.

Aleks returns to the club for his third spell, we have previously seen his ability, but he has become a much stronger allround midfielder since he was last with us. Will be another good addition to the squad.

Fabian Bailey Full Back / Defensive Midfielder

He has signed up for a third year with the club, a real fan favourite that Monkhouse was keen to keep. He chips in with goals and assists and as an experienced member of the squad, he will play a key part.

This will be Fabian Bailey’s third season at the club and has impressed Monkhouse to extend his stay at the club. He can cover in any of the defensive areas on the pitch and will be a key part of the squad.

Sam Tingle Defensive Midfielder

Another of the new recruits, Sam Tingle is a ball playing midfielder who likes to get on the ball and make things happen.

He also likes to burst from midfield into the final third. Formerly of Barnsley FC and Östersunds FK of Sweden.

Jed Zanos Central Midfielder

Australian born midfielder has impressed during preseason training and has joined the club following a spell at Guiseley. The all energy midfielder can really get about in the midfield and will be a good addition to the squad.

Dan Keane Central Midfielder

Box-to-box midfielder Keane has proven his ability since he arrived, he has brilliant energy and drive to control the midfield and will look to chip in with goals from midfield.

Scott Smith Attacking Midfielder

Another recruit, he joined the club from Guiseley and has shown his quality in such a short space of time. Great ability and speed on the ball and will create numerous chances for his teammates this year.

Gavin Rothery Attacking Midfielder

Albert Ibrahimi Forward

Another exciting talent who has joined the club this summer, he has shown his ability on the ball and will excite supporters this season. A threat going forward and will look to add goals for the side.

Sam Cable Forward

This will be Sam’s second spell at the club following being a part of our U19s setup and featuring for the first team.

He has scored goals whichever club he has featured for, including Frickley Athletic in the NPL.

Damian Reeves Forward

The striker will provide goals and vital experience for this young side, he has scored many goals at this level and the leagues above throughout his career and will be another key man!

Management Team Manager: Andy Monkhouse Assistant Manager: Ashley Vickers Head Physio: Nick Short GK Coach/Sports Analyst: Ross McKenna

@HebburnTown | 21

Hebburn Town 2-0 Plymouth Parkway Saturday 29th February 2020 At long last, we were drawn to play at home.

It was a fantastic occasion, the long awaited return of Vase football to Hebburn.

And it was clear the run had caught the imagination of the town, the club setting a new record attendance of 1,705 on the day.

The visitors were a Plymouth Parkway side that had knocked out West Auckland in the previous round.

However, they were at home on that day whereas this time they would be making the long cross-country journey to visit us on Tyneside.

Parkway had the first good chance when Teigan Rosenquest was on the end of a great cross from deep from Jamie Lowry around the quarter-hour mark but couldn’t direct it on target.

The blustery conditions were taking their toll on the game with both teams struggling early on, but it was Hebburn who started to take control.

The breakthrough came in the 20th minute for Cedwyn Scott who starred on the day.

Olly Martin played Scott through who then rounded the keeper before finishing into the bottom left corner to score his first goal for the Hornets.

Scott doubled the Hornets’ lead just before half-time when he turned Michael McKeown’s whipped cross into the left corner to deal a sucker punch to the visitors.

Hebburn continued to control the game in the second half but were unable to find a third, Martin coming the closest when he drilled wide one-on-one.

The most comfortable performance for a while and it takes us into the semi-final, surely with the lads full of confidence it’s plain-sailing from here.

22 | @HebburnTown

The Quarter

Final

The Road to Wembley - final chapter Page 34

Hebburn TV | 23

Dan Groves

An ever-present in the Starting XI and a real engine down the right hand side, Dan Groves has played a big part in Hebburn’s success since promotion to Division One. Here he talks Q: Three wins in three different competitions including making The Final of the FA Vase, you couldn’t ask for a much better start to the season could you?

DG: “It’s been a very strong start on all fronts and I think that shows the strength and depth in the squad at the minute. There is a lot of competition for places as well which I think is bringing the best out the lads.”

Q: Just how good was that Shildon performance against a top side on the back of a gruelling game playing a period of extra time with 10 men at the weekend?

DG: “It was always going to be a tough game after extra time and a long trip in our legs after the vase whoever we were playing but especially against a strong Shildon side that will be up there this season. We are a lot more solid this year and probably wouldn’t have Q: Pontefract Collieries, a step four side, are your won this time last year.” opponents this weekend. Is getting to test yourself against a step four side a challenge the team relishes?

Q: We’re in FA Cup action this weekend. Do you find it at all special playing in such a famous competition, DG: “The majority of the lads have played higher and even if it’s at the very early stages?

I think we could compete in the high leagues with the squad that we have. It will be interesting to see how DG: “Every game matters I think, well to me anyway, we hold ourselves against a team from step four as I hate losing. It’s a great competition and it would be that is where we’re aiming as a club to be and I think good for the club and for the players to progress furwe’re up to the challenge.” ther. If you get through a few rounds, there’s always that dream of playing away against a big club.”

Q: And on that weekend down in Kent. A little bit special wasn’t it?

“It’s one of them where you just think ‘someone doesn’t want this to happen’ but what a feeling it was when

that final penalty went over the bar. I’m proud to be part

”

of this team and club.

24 || @HebburnTownFC /HebburnTownFC 24

DG: “Well what a weekend and game that was. I think we went the hard way about it and put everyone through every emotion possible. It shows the togetherness of the squad and what it means to everyone involved in the club. It was one of those days when you think everything was going to go against us, 1-0 down, then down to 10 men then to concede a penalty in extra time to go to penalties. It’s one of them where you just think ‘someone doesn’t want this to happen’ but what a feeling it was when that final penalty went over the bar. I’m proud to be part of this team and club.”

Q: Having been a part of the Vase run throughout, what does it mean to you to get the chance to play at Wembley?

Q: Is it important that we don’t see reaching the final and getting to Wembley as something of a trophy in itself and make sure that we’re there to win the thing?

DG: “Absolutely not, it is a great achievement so far and we have enjoyed the win but we aren’t going there to just take part. We are going there to win. No one wants to be runners up!”

Q: And finally, can we just get a little news on the injury that you seemed to take at the end of Tuesday’s game?

DG: “I think with the long bus journey and extra time, the legs just got a bit tired towards the end on Tuesday night. I just wanted to see the game through with the lads, hence standing like a mannequin in the middle of the pitch. “

Dan Groves

DG: “It will mean the world to me and my family. It’s something that many people only get to dream of and I will ensure I enjoy myself. It’s been a long wait to see if it will actually go ahead and it took a long while for the semi to come round. Now they have changed the date and not knowing when it will happen I think is a shame but completely understand the reasoning and it certainly wouldn’t be the same without our fans cheering us on.”

@HebburnTown | 25

Hebburn TV

26 | @HebburnTown

NoticeBoard FA Vase Update

The FA statement reads: “Following the updated Government Covid-19 guidelines for sports events, we have regrettably decided to postpone Non-League Finals Day, which was due to take place on Sunday 27 September.

We understand how important it is for your fans to be able to attend and therefore we are pushing to have the fixture rescheduled for a date where we very much hope that fans will be permitted to attend.

We will continue to work with the relevant authorities and when we are in a position to continue the planning of your FA Vase Final fixture, we will be in contact”

It feels like every programme we bring an FA Vase update to you.

Hebburn Town Football Club can now confirm that the FA contacted the club yesterday to inform us that the proposed non-league finals day that would host the FA Vase and FA Trophy Finals at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 27th September 2020 has been POSTPONED until further notice.

HTFC U23s Win County Cup

Both Hebburn Town and fellow Northern League Club Consett AFC have been in continuous discussions over the past few days with each other and the FA and lobbied for the game to be postponed until we can welcome our fans to Wembley.

Although it’s a shame for the final date to be up in the air again, we’d much rather that than for so many of our fans to miss out.

We will bring more news to you as soon as we can so stay tuned.

Innocent Chiranda got the scoring underway when he latched onto a rebound from the keeper after a good save from a John Hobbs shot to make it 1-0.

Daniel Maddison got Hebburn’s second after he blasted home a shot from the right hand side to make it 2-0. On the stroke of half-time Chiranda got his second and the hornets third when he outpaced the defense and slotted past the advancing Mason Arms keeper 3-0.

The second half the game was slightly tighter but Hebburn always maintained control, creating some good chances from Ethan Carter and John Hobbs.

A Superb performance, well done lads!

We would like to say a huge congratulations to our superb U23s for winning the Durham County FA Minor Cup. They brought the first silverware of the season back to the club with a 3-0 victory over Middlestone Moor Masons Arms.

All Hebburn goals came in the first half.

Hebburn TV | 27

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: Final (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 28 | @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 saw 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.

In their first season back in Division 1, Hebburn finished as runners up. Michael Richardson was the side’s top scorer with 25 goals, and then manager Scott Oliver took the side to the fifth round of the FA Vase.

The Vase run was remarkable as the home attendance record was broken twice. 1,302 people attended the game against City of Liverpool in the first round, and 1,310 people were at the game against 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 final of the FA Vase which is set to be played on Sunday 27 September at Wembley.

/HebburnTownFC | 29

Hebburn TOwn 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.

Andy Coulson Goalkeeper

Dave Bussey Young goalkeeper who joined this summer as cover for Mark Foden.

Has experience with a number of Northern League clubs over the past couple of years including West Auckland, Northallerton & Shildon AFC.

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

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.

Jack Donaghy Defender

Sponsored by David Paull 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.

30 | @HebburnTown

Danny Carson Defender

Sponsored by Co Op Funeralcare 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.

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.

Louis Storey Midfielder

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.

First Team Squad 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 | 31

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

Match Reports

Tuesday 8 September Hebburn Town 2-0 Shildon AFC Hebburn Town continued their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Shildon AFC in their first Ebac Northern League game of the campaign.

Graeme Armstrong put the home side ahead just after the half hour and Olly Martin added a second just before the end of normal time to confirm the three points.

It was a match that promised to be a tough encounter, Hebburn going into their first league game on the back of a penalty shoot-out victory after extra-time in their FA Vase semi-final at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Shildon had got their league campaign off to a flying start at the weekend with a 5-0 win over West Auckland and had done the double over the Hornets last season.

32 | @HebburnTown

The striker was heavily involved in the move, winning an initial header from Mark Foden’s kick and playing the ball out wide to Potter. Potter got down the wing while Armstrong made his way into the box and dinked a teasing cross in for the striker to head home.

Amar Purewal looked to be through a few minutes later but Aidan Heywood tracked back excellently to frustrate him.

The Hornets showed their danger early on when Tom Potter’s cross narrowly evaded Armstrong in the 5th minute.

The game looked quite open in the early exchanges, Hebburn looking the most dangerous but Shildon also showing plenty of threat on the counter.

Another Potter cross, this time from a corner, went into a good area but nobody managed to get on the end of it.

The Railwaymen had a strong penalty in the 21st minute when Dean Thexton played through Billy Greulich-Smith and there was a slight tug on his shirt. The referee opted not to give it and Greulich-Smith fired wide.

Ten minutes later Armstrong popped up to score his fifth goal of the season.

Shildon had a spell where they got on top in the second half, however shots from Zak Atkinson and Joe Posthill were on target but posed no real threat to Foden while a lovely strike from Jordan Lavery whistled just wide.

Defences were on top for the majority of the second half, with few clear cut chances either way.

That was until Martin rounded off the game on the end of a lovely counter-attack while the Hornets were practically down to 10 men with Dan Groves suffering from cramp.

Armstrong was on the end of a long ball and fired out to the left for substitute Cedwyn Scott who squared for fellow sub Martin to tap home with ease and guarantee the three points.

The heavy fixture congestion continues for Hebburn who head into another home game at the weekend against Pontefract Collieries in the FA Cup before returning to league action next Tuesday at home to West Auckland Town.

@HebburnTown | 33

Saturday 5th September 2020

34 | @HebburnTown

The Semi Final

Corinthian FC 2-2 (aet) Hebburn Town pens: 3-4

Plain-sailing from here did you say? Longridge as heart-stopping as it could get you said? You idiot. You absolute moron.

The first note about this game is just look at the difference in date between the quarter-final and this.

There were times when we thought this game wasn’t even going to happen. That all the hard work, emotion and miles put into this competition may all end in vain.

And then the match itself, what a rollercoaster!

With a place at Wembley at stake, it was a cagey opening 20 minutes.

Robbie Spence was on the end of a cross in the 36th minute and turned his header on target, forcing an excellent save from Aiden Prall.

Hebburn came even closer a minute later when a nice move resulted in a ball through to Potter who shot low towards the left corner but Prall got down well to turn around the post.

The Hornets were on the front foot as the first half was ending and were looking to carry that momentum into the second half.

But disaster struck when Hebburn conceded a penalty within a minute of the start of the second half.

Andres Tobon showed some good footwork to break into the box, Mark Foden came out to meet him and was adjudged to have fouled the Corinthian attacker inside the box.

Oscar Housego stepped up and put the penalty straight down the middle and past Foden who dived to his left.

Things went from bad to worse for Hebburn with 13 minutes left to play. Substitute Olly Martin challenged the ‘keeper Prall to get on the end of a headed pass and took out the ‘keeper who got there first.

The referee opted for a red card, sending Martin for an early bath for trying to get to loose ball.

But with things looking bleak for the Hornets, they somehow managed to find a way to go up another gear.

Michael McKeown struck a free-kick brilliantly in the 81st minute which Prall fantastically tipped onto the bar, the ball taking another bounce off the ‘keeper from the bar and somehow staying out.

It was one of those moments that makes you think it just isn’t going to be your day. But as a lot of the Hebburn fans started to lose some of their belief, the players were not going to let their Wembley dreams die.

They finally saw the rewards for their endeavour in the 88th minute.

Dan Groves looped a ball into the box towards Armstrong and Corinthian defender Jack Bath was deemed to have stuck an elbow in when challenging for the header.

Armstrong stepped up and expertly fired home from 12 yards into the top left corner.

And the lads continued to put together a heroic effort to take the game to Corinthian in extra time.

Hebburn managed to get their noses in front in the 10th minute of extra time when Armstrong put himself on the end of McKeown’s cross to head home.

It felt like Hebburn had one foot in the final but with little over 10 minutes left to play, the referee awarded Corinthian another penalty when Emmanuel Oloyede initially showed some good footwork to get into the box before falling over in the vicinity of Dan Groves.

Billings, who put in a spectacular defensive effort to frustrate Hebburn all game, stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake in slotting home into the right corner.

So the tie had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

With an FA Vase final at Wembley at stake, it was a time for cool nerves. Thankfully, it was Hebburn that had the coolest on the day.

The shoot-out opened with a great standard of penalties that were fit for a much bigger stage, the sides level at 3-3 after three penalties each.

But the breakthrough finally came when Foden guessed right to dive to the left for Bath’s penalty and give Carl Taylor the chance to give Hebburn lead.

With Hebburn a penalty ahead with Armstrong left to take, it felt like the place in the final was in the bag.

As it turned out, the Hornets wouldn’t need Armstrong as Louie Clarke blazed over.

And that was it, Hebburn Town are on their way to Wembley!!!

Hebburn TV | 35

Corinthian in Photos by Sean Harrison

36 | @HebburnTown

Pictures (CnC Photography)

@HebburnTown | 37

Army “Corinthian was an amazing game to be honest and it’s just nice to be in the final. It’s a relief more than anything now.

“We were obviously creating chance after chance. I think there’s the one where Mick McKeown gets his free-kick tipped onto the bar and you sometimes think, ‘is it going to be our day?’ But I think we’ve got a fairly experienced squad, this team of players recognises that anything can change, anything can happen. It’s just nice to get that chance right at the end and we kind of surprised ourselves probably, how we could deal with that situation.

“Prior to this, the season before where I got to the last 16 with Hebburn was the furthest I’d gone in the Vase. As I was playing at a higher level, we were always in the Trophy rather than the FA Vase. So it’s my first time in the final.

“It’s every kids dream to play at Wembley in a cup final. When you watch the FA Cup as a young kid, you always thought Wembley was the pinnacle of football, definitely British football.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play in some good teams and win things at higher levels, but this will certainly be up there as one of the most special times of my career. Walking out at Wembley, it’s truly a special opportunity.

“It’s one of those things, it’s a bit surreal to be honest because especially at my age, you never really expect to have this opportunity at 37.”

“You don’t just want to go there to enjoy the experience, you want to go to win. It certainly won’t be the best experience if we go get beat.

“If you really want to enjoy the experience, you’ve still got to recognise you’ve got a job to do.

“For all the hard work we put into getting to and winning the semi-final, it sounds a bit cruel but you haven’t won anything yet. You can enjoy that but you’ve got to make sure that when you go to Wembley and walk out on that turf, you go and win the game as well.

“The school I teach in has a catchment area in Consett, some of the lads I teach are actually Consett fans and go to the games. It’s quite an interesting one, me lining up against the team they support.

“It’s going to be a special day for all of us. We just have to look forward to the final now.”

38 | @HebburnTown

Our Vase journey - In numbers We take a look at some of the key numbers behind our road to Wembley in the FA Vase

Quick Stats Games: 6 Away: 4 Home: 2

Top 10 appearance makers Pos. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Goals Scored 14 Goals Conceded: 3 Days since our first game (in the second qualifying round): 315 days Estimated miles travelled:

Player Dan Groves Danny Carson Robbie Spence Olly Martin Louis Storey Darren Lough Graeme Armstrong Michael Richardson Mark Foden Michael McKeown

Appearances 6 6 6 6 (2 sub) 5 5 5 5 4 4

Top 5 goal scorers Pos. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Player Olly Martin Graeme Armstrong Robbie Spence Cedwyn Scott Michael Richardson

Goals 4 3 2 2 2

Top 5 creators Pos. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Player Olly Martin Michael McKeown Michael Richardson Dan Groves Graeme Armstrong

Assists 3 2 2 1 1

~1,550 New club record attendance: 1,705 (vs Plymouth Parkway, quarter final) @HebburnTown | 39

Fantasy 5-a-side

With

Michael Richardson

Michael Richardson is already a Vase winner having played a part in South

Shields’s Wembley triumph in 2017. Here he picks a Fantasy 5-a-side of Vase winners that he has played alongside.

Striker - Paul Chow “3 wins, 4 final goals, a Man of the Match and the fastest goal at Wembley record.

That says it all about Chowy.

One of the nicest men in football and he will lead the line in this team.”

Midfielder - Julio Arca “At 36 years of age, playing every week and leading us to the final is why he is the clear choice as captain of this 5-a-side team. The level he played at, to come down to the Northern League and perform the way he did was amazing to watch and a pleasure to play alongside.”

Goalkeeper - Liam Connell

Midfielder - Paul Robinson “I couldn’t leave Robbo out.

One of my closest friends but he doesn’t earn his place just for that. To win it 3 times and to have scored in a final is an excellent record. Everyone who has played alongside him knows his famous chop and he fully deserves to make this 5-a-side team.”

Defender - Darren Lough “As solid as they come.

Known as Sergeant Lough in the changing room.

Hopefully he’ll be picking up his second winners medal soon”

“2 FA Vase wins. 2 clean sheets. I’m pretty sure he’s the only keeper to keep 2 clean sheets in Vase finals.

A real monster that I would not be going into a 50/50 with.”

Hebburn Sports Club

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!

40 | @HebburnTown

Next up For The Hornets

V West Auckland

Home

Northern League D1

Tuesday

15 September 2020 7:30PM

Ben Potts puts the spotlight on our next opponents. This time it will be a return to league action where we will once again play at home, facing West Auckland Town After another huge cup tie against Pontefract Kevin Bolam’s side will return to the Hebburn Sports Ground on Tuesday night to take on West Auckland Town.

Founded: 1893 League: Northern League Division One Last season: 9th (season abandoned) Home Colours: Yellow with Black trim Away Colours: Blue Ground: The Wanted Metal Stadium

At the time of writing Gary Forrest’s side are bottom of the Division One table having lost 5-0 at Dean Street to Shildon on the opening day. They travel to Guisborough in midweek having already beaten Heaton Stannington in the FA Cup. Before travelling to Hebburn they play Ashington in the next round of the cup.

West have a squad full of players that have experience at a higher level with former Darlington players, Leon Scott, Chris Hunter, Anthony Bell, Adam Mitchell and David Dowson.

While the Hornets boast Amar Purewal in their ranks, who played for West Auckland for a few seasons.

Last season we only managed to play one of our games against West Auckland before the league was halted.

Goals from Ben Dibb-Fuller, Michael Richardson and Graeme Armstrong gave Hebburn a 3-2 edge who scored through Dowson and Adam Mitchell.

West Auckland also famously claim to have won the first World Cup. The Thomas Lipton Trophy is a fantastic story of international football triumph before the days of FIFA organised international tournaments. A documentary ‘Our Cup of Tea’ about the story is available on YouTube.

This is sure to be a difficult game for the Hornets having had such an intense start to the season.

@HebburnTown | 41

Last Season vs Pontefract We don’t usually get one of these pieces out of FA Cup games, but as luck would have it, we played against Pontefract Collieries twice last season in this very competition.

Pontefract 1-1 Hebburn Saturday 24th August 2019 Hebburn were probably the better side in a closely contested away tie in West Yorkshire.

Lewis Suddick was inches away from giving The Hornets a ninth minute lead when he got on the end of a ball forward and tried to dink Ponte ‘keeper Seb Mackowski with a lovely half-volley but hit the bar.

Pontefract got up the other end and took the lead in the 11th minute. A long clearance fell to Joe Lumsden and he found Michael Dunn with a lovely through ball who did well to round Jennison and finish into the open goal.

It didn’t take long for Town to respond. Jack Elliott picked up the ball on the left in the 14th minute and showed great footwork to drive into the box before being tripped

by Fabian Bailey.

Graeme Armstrong stepped up and confidently slammed the ball into the bottom left corner.

Hebburn had further good chances in the first half through Graeme Armstrong, Jack Elliott and were unlucky not be awarded a penalty when Louis Storey’s header hit Jameel Ible’s hand.

Armstrong had a great chance at the end but uncharacteristically fired high and wide.

Hebburn 0-4 Pontefract Tuesday 3rd September 2019 Ten days after the close fought encounter, it was a completely different story.

Hebburn didn’t turn up and Pontefract were clearly the better team.

They were 3-0 in the first half thanks to goals from Connor Smythe, Spencer Clarke and a fine goal by Joe Lumsden.

Hebburn’s misery was compounded in the 92nd minute by Layton Swaine, who would then score at Hebburn again this year for Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

Hebburn showed that they could more than compete in the first tie and have only got stronger since then. Pontefract also come off the back of a good season and it’s a much different Colls side to the one we played last season.

Andy Monkhouse, who I used to watch turn out for Ossett United, was made manager and he has made the squad his own. There are some similarities, such as Fabian Bailey and former Leeds United and England U19 international Gavin Rothery.

42 | @HebburnTown

facebook.com/HebburnTownFC

Hebburn TV | 43

The year the FA Cup sprinkled its magic on Hebburn Hebburn Town Vice Chairman, Richard Bainbridge, recalls the 2011-12 season when the Hornets achieved their best ever FA Cup run, reaching the Fourth Qualifying Round where they played local neighbours Gateshead FC. As we start a new campaign today in the FA cup, with our Preliminary Qualifying Round cup-tie, against Pontefract Collieries, it is worth stepping back in time to consider Hebburn Town’s best ever FA Cup competition, in 2011/2012, when the Hornets were the lowest ranking club left in the competition.

Their journey had started on August 21St, 2011 at Gilford Park FC, based in Carlisle. In front of 36 spectators the Hornets secured a 2-1 victory over their fellow Northern League Division Two team.

And so to the Third Qualifying Round, and this time Hebburn had to pack their overnight bags for the trip to the Manchester area to face Radcliffe Borough, a side two divisions above them in the Northern Premier League First Division. The Chairman of Radcliffe Borough had travelled to Brandon a week earlier to watch Hebburn Town in advance of this cup-tie; however, Hebburn’s team that day had many changes from the side that faced his team in the FA Cup.

Hebburn Town had kept their best performance for this game. In front of 215 supporters, they dominatThe next round also involved another trip to Cumbria, ed the game from start to finish; a great all round as Hebburn Town were held to a 2-2 draw at home team effort with Jamie McClen driving them forward

by Whitehaven Amateurs, also from the Northern and receiving the “Man of the Match” accolade, and League Second Division, but a 4-2 victory on the West praise from all quarters.

Coast took them one stage further. Again the number of supporters was very low, with 67 at the home Two goals in three minutes, after half an hour’s play, game and 49 at the mid-week fixture in Whitehaven. from Liam McBryde and Paul Gardiner set them on their way. Although Radcliffe Borough reduced the On the 17Th September, First Division side Penrith deficit, two further goals from Dean Nicholson and were soundly defeated 2-0 in front of 83 spectators Paul Gardiner, sent the Hornets home in a jubilant at the Victoria Road Ground, with Hebburn hopes on mood. the rise. Obviously at this stage all of our opponents had been from the Northern League, and there were no real shocks/surprises with the results.

However, our opponents in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday 1ST October, Runcorn Linnets, were an unknown quantity from the North West Counties League, one division higher than Hebburn Town.

Nevertheless, in a hard-fought contest, Hebburn overcame the Cheshire based side 1-0, after playing with ten men for the last 30 minutes following centre back Paul Hutchinson’s sending off. The crowd that day was a much healthier 170 as interest in our cup run started to rise.

44 | @HebburnTown

On Saturday 29TH October 2011, Hebburn Town travelled 3 miles up the River Tyne to face Gateshead in the 4TH Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. At the time Hebburn Town were in 16TH place in the Northern League Second Division; five divisions and 125 places below their close neighbours in the Conference League.

For Gateshead it was their first game in the 2011/2012 FA Cup competition; Hebburn Town had already played six games to reach this stage.

In front of 1198 supporters at the “International Stadium”, with more than half from Hebburn, Hebburn Town were not at all disgraced, and indeed the score at half time was 0-0. Gateshead forced the pace throughout, but resolute defending by the Hornets kept them at bay for large periods of the game, and it was Gateshead’s superior fitness which counted in the end, with the hosts winning by three clear goals.

A tremendous achievement by “little old Hebburn”, with the away supporters singing “you are only a stop on the metro line”, nevertheless financially rewarding for the club.

Prior to the Gateshead cup-tie, Hebburn Town were lying in 16th place in the Northern League Second Division, and as such were the “lowest ranked team” left in the FA Cup competition in 2011/2012.

However, they had only played eight league games because of their success in the FA Cup. Shifting their focus to league duty, Hebburn Town battled for the remainder of the season, clinching promotion to the First Division to round off a superb season.

Hebburn TV | 45

Key fixtures round-up

Hebburn Town and football’s oldest trophy

2011-12 might be Hebburn Town’s best performance in the FA Cup, but it isn’t the only taste the town has had of the famous old trophy’s magic. Richard Bainbridge takes a look at Hebburn’s other FA Cup successes.

Hebburn’s long association with the FA Cup, or English Cup, as it was known as in the early days of football, began in 1893/1894, when Hebburn Argyle, then playing in the Northern Alliance League, entered the competition for the first time.

Hebburn Argyle’s first foray into the FA Cup was in 1893/4; they were drawn away against Blyth and were defeated 4-1 in the First Qualifying Round.

In 1896/7 they had a bye in the first qualifying round, but were drawn away again in the second round - this time away to West Hartlepool N.E.R. who they thrashed 6-1. The third round saw them drawn at home to South Bank, and before 3,000 spectators, Argyle ran out 4-0 winners.

The run continued; Argyle took on Middlesbrough at Hebburn and beat them 8-1. Up to now they had been playing qualifying matches within a regional section. The next round was the first round proper; the match was played on the second of January 1897, when Argyle’s run came to an end, going down to Bishops by a single goal.

In 1898-9, at the start of a great run, they drew Seaham Harbour at home in the Preliminary round, and disposed of them 1-0. In the first qualifying round they were drawn away against Leadgate Park, whom they beat 1-0. They drew Birtley away in the next round, winning 2-0 and they then travelled to Middlesbrough for the next round on and came away with a 1-0 victory Their opponents in the final qualifying round turned out once again to be their next door neighbours. Jarrow, this time at home. 5,000 supporters turned out on a severely windy day, and witnessed a hard-fought match which ended in a 0-0 draw.

46 | @HebburnTown

Hebburn Argyle’s 1896-97 team

The replay took place at the Monkton Stadium on the following Wednesday, and after extra time Jarrow sneaked home by 2-1 to earn themselves a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton in the first round proper.

A game which, unfortunately, Jarrow lost 3-1 to a well-established and famous Football League Club.

Hebburn Argyle continued to play in the FA Cup until the break-out of World War One, when the club disbanded.

In the 1920s and 1930s Hebburn Colliery, Hebburn Leslies and Hebburn St. Cuthbert’s, all had a couple of attempts in the FA Cup, with little success, and it would not be until Hebburn joined the Northern League, that the town would be represented again.

On September 30. 1989, in their first season in the Northern League, Hebburn drew 0-0 at home with South Bank and subsequently lost the replay 3-0. It was just over 100 years since Hebburn Argyle had beaten South Bank in the FA Cup, in front of 3,000 spectators.

Key fixtures round-up

North East Non-league’s FA Cup romance

Non-league football in the North East seems to have a special relationship with the FA Cup. In this piece, Ben Potts, recalls some of the cup stories from this corner of the world.

As Hebburn Town prepare for a massive FA Cup tie with Pontefract this afternoon, it is a good time to look at famous cup runs of North East non-league sides.

Obviously, the most famous runs have invariably involved Blyth Spartans. As a Northern League side in 1978, the Spartans beat a host of league clubs in reaching the 5th round of the competition before losing out to Wrexham in a replay at St James Park.

In 2008/09 Harry Dunn’s vintage won a second-round tie at Bournemouth before losing out to Premier League Blackburn Rovers which denied them what would have been a very interesting, much less played derby at neighbours Sunderland. The most recent adventure for the green army came in 2015 when they reached the third round, losing 3-2 to Championship side Birmingham City having gone 2-0 up.

Shildon went far as a Northern League club in 2015, reaching the fourth qualifying round and knocking out several clubs higher up the pyramid on their way before eventually losing out to Norton United.

Hebburn’s near neighbours, Gateshead, also enjoyed a fantastic run in 2015 when they beat Gainsborough Trinity, Shildon’s conquerors Norton in the first round proper (meaning we were denied another very interesting North East derby), and Warrington Town before losing 7-0 to Premier League side West Brom.

Our neighbours Dunston up against the Heed

Shildon incidentally were also the last Northern League side to reach the first round proper in 2003 where they lost 7-2 to Notts County.

Others have come close since, both ourselves Hebburn Town and Dunston UTS reaching the fourth qualifying round, one game away from the first round proper.

Coincidentally, two seasons ago when Dunston UTS reached the fourth qualifying round, beating Conference North Club Chester FC away, they also went up ahead Gateshead in the final qualifying round where they lost 4-0 live on the BBC. In 2016 South Shields also reached the Fourth Qualifying round as a tier 8 side. Graham Fenton and Lee Picton’s side knocked out Darlington and York City before losing to Conference club Hartlepool United.

@HebburnTown | 47

Quiz Corner

Guess WHO?

Spot the ball

Word Search Clues: 1. Scored for the Hornets against Pontefract last season 2. The ‘riding’ of Yorkshire Ponte are from 3. Only team to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season 4. Our Vase semi final opponents 5. Hornets top goalscorer in the 2019-20 FA Vase 6. Where the Hornets will be heading (eventually) 48 | @HebburnTown

Cup QUiz 1. Who were the last Northern League team to reach the final of the FA Vase?

2. When was the last all Northern League final?

3. Who did Consett AFC beat in their Vase semi final?

6. Who is the only player to score in four different FA Cup Finals?

7. Who scored the fastest goal in an FA Cup Final (though five seconds slower than Paul Chow)?

8. Who is the only non-English team to have won the FA Cup?

4. Who were the last tier 9. How many times has an 10 team left in the 2019-20 FA Cup Final needed a Vase? penalty shoot-out?

5. Who are the current holders of the FA Vase?

10. 2016-17 was famed for two non-league runs. Lincoln reached the quarter final, but who else made the fifth round?

ANSWERS:

Guess who: Cedwyn Scott, Spot the ball: A Word Search: 1. Armstrong (horizontal), 2. West (diagonal), 3. Wigan (diagonal), 4. Corinthians (horizontal), 5. Martin (diagonal), 6. Wembley (vertical) Quiz: 1. Stockton Town, 2. 2011-12 (Dunston v West Auckland) 3.Bitton AFC, 4. Atherstone Town, 5. Chertsey Town, 6. Wigan Athletic (2013), 7. Louis Saha (25 seconds, 2009), 8. Cardiff City (1927), 9. two (the finals in 2005 and 2006), 10. Sutton United (beating Leeds on the way to losing to Arsenal)

@HebburnTown | 49

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

Editor’s Notes

Hello everyone and welcome to The Green Energy Stadium for today’s FA Cup fixture against Pontefract Collieries.

Pontefract in the FA Cup was my first Hebburn game after joining the media team last season. I was home in West Yorkshire at the time and it was the most convenient draw I could have possibly asked for.

We were good enough on that day to win that match but the less said about the following home tie, the better.

It’s always interesting to see the lads up against higher league opposition. It’s where the club are aiming to be and I’m sure they’ll put in a good challenge.

I want to add a bit more reflection on last weekend now that it has sunk in a bit more.

I’ve used the word ‘heroic’ a few times to describe the performance and with the passing of time it seems to become more relevant.

Aside from footballing ability, there is a huge difference between the players on that pitch and mere mortals like myself. At 1-0 down with 10 men and 15 minutes to go, I hate to admit that I thought we were beat. That the journey was over.

I’m so glad it wasn’t me out there, and not just because I can’t kick a ball straight, but because my mental fortitude does not stack up to the demands of a game like that.

The lads were unbelievable and I’m delighted for Mick and Kevin, two of the best people I’ve met in football.

And to go from that performance and convincingly beat Shildon in the league, one of the sides that we all fancy to challenge towards the top, is absolutely ridiculous.

Looking at the stuff that I am supposed to do at the club, the media stuff, if I was rating my performance like I would a player it would not be favourable last week.

Tasked with finding a way to stream the game for the many people who had to miss out, I completely failed.

And then, largely due to a lack of data connection, I failed to bring you live updates.

Luckily, I don’t think anyone cares anymore and Mick Laffey pulled it out of the bag with a Facebook Live stream that people loved. I was stood next to him for a lot of the game and struggled to stop myself cracking up at his commentary.

Being a part of last weekend was a privilege. I feel like I came away with a greater understanding for the people behind this club and the hard work they do.

As much as I’ve come to love the club, as much as I think it means to me; Hebburn Town could never mean to me what it does to them.

And so, for the emotions I was feeling when that final penalty went over, I can only imagine what it felt like for those people.

I’m just a student from West Yorkshire who didn’t know Hebburn was a place on Earth before moving to the North East in 2017.

To see your town’s football club, a football club you put your life and soul into, get to a national final at Wembley must be the best feeling in the world.

This isn’t my club as much as I love it. This club belongs to people like Vin Pearson and Ricky Bainbridge.

To Billy and Mick Laffey. To Stephen Rutherford. To Helen & Peter Stoker. To so many more people, it would be criminal to try and name them all as I’d inevitably leave someone out.

To the people of Hebburn, to South Tyneside.

What a wonderful club you’ve got, cherish it.

Wembley Stadium. F***ing H**l

Kieran Archer @HebburnTown | 51

Hebburn Town

Pontefract Colls

Manager: Kevin Bolam Mark Foden (GK)

Start

Manager: Andy Monkhouse Sub

Sub

Start

Mikey Emery (GK) Matty Nebard

Dan Groves Jack Donaghy

Dom Claxton

Darren Lough

Callum Walmsley

Danny Carson

Tom Clare Jack Cawthorn

Angelos Eleftheriadis

Ben Gordon

Louis Storey

Fabian Bailey

Robbie Spence

Sam Tingle

Michael McKeown

Jed Zanos

Damen Mullen

Dan Keane

Carl Taylor Michael Richardson Luke Salmon Tom Potter

V

Scott Smith Aleks Starcenko Gavin Rothery Albert Ibrahimi

Lewis Suddick

Sam Cable

Olly Martin

Damian Reeves

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

Attendance: Referee: Kirk Freeth

MOTM: Assistant Referees: Matthew Davidson & Andrew Broadbent