Hebburn Town Official Matchday Programme, 2020-21, Issue 14: v Congleton, FA Vase

Issue 14

V Congleton Town Saturday 24th April

The Green Energy Stadium Buildbase FA VASE Fifth Round 3:00PM KO

Photo Credit: Sean Harrison (CnC Photography)

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HEBBURN TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB Founded: 1912

Contents

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

www.hebburntownfc.co.uk

@HebburnTown

CLUB OFFICIALS Director: Stephen Rutherford Senior Chairman: Vin Pearson

4

Kevin Bolam

18 15 21

5

Louis Storey

23 21 17

6

Liversedge Report

23 18 25

10

Promotion Hopes

22 25 26

Birtley Player Town Report Preseason Round-up Hebburn Profiles

13

Congleton Town

26

Preseason Round-up Amar Purewal

Stephen Rutherford Congleton - Key Menon the club and Covid-19

Noticeboard Vase - Virtual Tickets Hebburn Town History

Honorary Life President: Billy Laffey Honorary Life President: Jason Cook First Team Secretary: Dave Patterson Vice Chairman: Richard Bainbridge Treasurer: Brenda Pearson Kit Manager: Helen Stoker Junior Recruitment Officer: David Thomas

Hebburn Hebburn Town Town History info Hebburn Player Profiles

Club Committee: Paul Hill, Paul Samuels, Steve Malley, Ronnie Tatum, Fred Atkinson, Bob Smith, Peter Stoker

Media Team Head of Media: Kieran Archer Media Officers: James Main, Jonny O'Gorman, Josh Youll, James Rushmore Club Photographers: Richard Waugh, Sean Harrison (CNC Photography), Monika Krysinska (Mon Mon) Voice of Hebburn Town: It remains a mystery???

@HebburnTown | 3

K

O B la m n i v e

“We’ve enjoyed this

M

an s e age t o r’ s N

Hello everybody and welcome back to another FA Vase tie, however you are watching.

We also have to extend a warm welcome to the staff, players, and committee of Congleton Town FC to the Green Energy Stadium. I hope you enjoy the North East hospitality, but hopefully not the result.

We’ve enjoyed this competition a lot over that last couple of seasons. To do so well in the biggest competition at this level in consecutive seasons shows what we are made out of.

People may see we used our get of jail free card in the tie against Vauxhall Motors a couple of rounds back. We were below our best that day and there may have been some luck involved, but once again the character of the lads shone through and we got back into it with last kick of the game before winning the shootout.

We had to wait along time after that game to back it up with another performance, but that opportunity finally came against Liversedge last week. They were a very tough side with a bit of quality mixed in there too. I was very pleased with the way the players battled to get through another tough tie and thought we were good value for the victory in the end.

Wednesday night was disappointing. We’re not looking for any excuses, we wanted to go through in the Durham Challenge Cup. To lead 4-1 and get it taken off you because of a poor 45 minutes is extremely disappointing. I do want to say congratulations to Birtley Town and wish them the best of luck going forward.

4 | @HebburnTown

competition a lot over that last couple of seasons. To do so well in the biggest competition at this level in consecutive seasons shows what we are made out of”

I don’t think there should be any chance of a repeat performance this afternoon. The Birtley game should serve as a huge wake-up call and the lads should come into this game with their usual focus and hard-work.

From going from no games and training to a very intense games programme, it has been challenging but also enjoyable. My coaching staff and I have been working very hard to put on great sessions to make sure we are reaching our best performances as soon as possible.

There has been a lot of Wembley preparations this week, on and off field. But we have to put that on the back burner and focus on this season’s competition.

We face a very tough tie this afternoon with Congleton.

They’ve knocked out some strong sides, we have faced teams from the North West in this competition before and they are always tough sides from a part of the country with a big passion for the game.

Enjoy the game, Kevin Bolam

Kevin Bolam

Louis Storey Captain’s Column " Our strength in depth, experience and quality showed throughout the game. It was our

first game for over 3 months, and we managed to control the game for the vast majority of the 90 minutes.

Hello everybody and welcome back to Hebburn town FC, albeit virtually. Hopefully, we will see yous all very soon!

However you are tuning in today, whether it be the livestream that the club has put on with the help of Gateshead FC, or just following social media updates, I hope that you have an enjoyable afternoon.

I promise you that representing this club has not been the same without the most important part of our club... our fans!

Last weekend we hosted Liversedge FC in the FA Vase which turned out to be a great victory for the side, taking us into the last 16 for the 3rd year in a row.

I was really impressed with Saturday’s performance from the whole group. The mindset and focus from everyone from minute one was tremendous. It was a hard task after only 3 weeks of preparation and training with such a crucial game to return, but the hard work from the team over the last couple of weeks was clear for all to see with the effort we put in.

Our strength in depth, experience and quality showed throughout the game. It was our first game for over 3 months, and we managed to control the game for the vast majority of the 90 minutes, other than a short spell.

Now we will be looking to use this strong performance as a foundation to kick on for the very exciting upcoming games.

This foundation is a reflection of the hard work the players have put in throughout the period we've had in lockdown, the group has remained focused and keep themselves in a great place to kick on for this next month of games.

”

Through the week we suffer a poor result when we exited the Durham Challenge Cup after leading Birtley 4-1. It was not good enough, to let our standards slip by that much in the second half. The Durham Challenge Cup is a good chance of silverware and one that we would have liked to pick up in this season where so many other competitions have been curtailed. However, it is in the past now, and our focus, as ever, has to be on the games coming up.

This admittedly isn’t ideal as part of the build up to today’s game. However, this is an intense period physically and we will no doubt use the loss as extra motivation and focus for the remaining run-in of the season.

At the moment we remain focussed on hosting Congleton Town this afternoon. We've done our homework and are prepared for the game which is a credit to the staff in such a short turn around.

The FA Vase presents challenges with unfamiliar opposition, but the work that has been done to ensure we come into this match as prepared as possible has been brilliant. More time between rounds allows you to research and prepare against opposition you don't normally come up against in national competitions, but we haven’t been afforded any of that. So it has been a big effort in a short space of time.

Thank you and enjoy the game, Louis

Louis Storey

@HebburnTown | 5

Last time in

Hebburn Town 2-1 Liversedge FC Fourth Round Proper 17th April 2021

By Jonny O'Gorman Hebburn Town continued their cup run after they edged past Liversedge to secure their place in the last 16 of the FA Vase.

Hebburn opened the scoring in the 31st minute through Amar Purewal before Thomas Greaves equalised for the away side 2 minutes later.

Michael McKeown’s 71st minute strike proved to be the winning goal and secured the Hornets place in the next round.

Both sides were embarking on their return to the competion following its suspension due to the latest national lockdown. Town are also on campaign to reach their second consecutive Vase final after last season’s Wembley showpiece was finally confirmed for May 3.

The Hornets showed no sign of any lockdown induced cobwebs and took control of the match, dominating possession of the ball and keeping the visitors camped in their half.

The home side’s early dominance was rewarded when a Michael Richardson corner was met by Purewal who headed home a deserved opening goal for Hebburn.

After the goal, Liversedge were sparked into life and almost scored an equaliser in the 34th minute when Oliver Fearon rattled the bar following a corner.

The Yorkshire side then made their breakthrough when Greaves latched onto a through ball and slid the ball past Mark Foden in the 35th minute.

6 | @HebburnTown

Hebburn’s winner came in the 71st minute when McKeown delightfully side footed the ball home after good work down the left. McKeown almost grabbed a second in the 85th minute but his effort blazed over the bar.

Hebburn Town managed to see out the match to book a home meeting with Congleton Town.

Hebburn Town XI: M. Foden, D. Groves, D. Lough, R. Spence, L. Storey ( C ), D. Carson, T. Potter, M. McKeown, G. Armstrong, M. Richardson, A. Purewal.

Subs used – O. Martin Liversedge XI: J. Porter, A. Porritt, J. Grant, R. Daly, K. Tarangadzo ( C ), J. Steers, A. Raw, J. Stockdill, T. Greaves, P. Walker, O. Fearon Subs used – N. Boshell A Flynn J. Walton

the Vase

@HebburnTown | 7

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8 | @HebburnTown

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FA Approve Non-league Restructure

Well last week we wrote about promotion hopes being given a boost by the recommendations of the FA's Alliance & Leagues committees.

However, it will obviously still be a lot less localised than the Northern League, and there will be some long away days along the way.

These recommendations have now been approved by the FA Council following a meeting Friday 23rd April.

As an ambitious club with an apetite to move up the league system, this is a challenge that we are well aware of and prepared for.

This proposed restructure includes the addition of a new league at Step 4, which will be administrated by the Northern Premier League.

As well as a couple more former Northern League clubs, including reuniting with our near-neighbours Dunston UTS, there are also a few teams that we have met on journeys in the cups, including Pontefract Collieries who we seem to play against in the FA Cup every year.

The addition of a new league at Step 4 means that three Northern League teams will be promoted on a points per game basis based on results from this season and 2019/20.

Eligible clubs from Step 5 & 6 will be invited to apply for promotion next week.

With a new league run by the Northern Premier League at Step 4, this allows it to be slightly more localised, easing the transition with the longer away days and increased travel expenses.

Hebburn rallies behind Hornets As we build up to our FA Vase Final, it has been great to see how the town has got behind the club.

Karren Knight-Collins and Wendy Stead from Thanks A Bunch florists have been instrumental in getting displays up around the town and helping us paint the town yellow and black.

10 | @HebburnTown

We're eagerly awaiting the contact from the FA next week and as always we're looking forward to a new challenge.

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

facebook.com/HebburnTownFC

12 | Hebburn TV

Congleton Town FC

Nickname:

Home Ground:

Founded:

The Bears

Ivy Gardens

1901

League:

League Position:

Northern West Counties League Premier Division

8th (Season Abandoned) @HebburnTown | 13

Congleton Town Club History

Manager

Ryan Austin

Club Honours

The club was formed in 1901 and joined the Crewe and District League, and were crowned champions in their first three seasons from 1901-02 to 1903-04. In 1904-05 they finished in fifth place. They then joined the North Staffordshire and District League in the 1905-06 season finishing in third place. Up until the outbreak of World War I their highest league placing came in 1914-15 when they were runners-up. When the league resumed after the war Congleton spent one last season in the league, 1919-20 finishing as league champions.

Cheshire County League In 1920 they joined the Cheshire County Division Two League, finishing as runners-up to Winsford champions: 1981–82 in their first season, 1920-21. In 1939-40, the Cheshire League disbanded due to the War and Mid-Cheshire League so the club spent one season in the Maccleschampions: 1973–74, field and District League, finishing in equal first 1975–76, 1977–78 place and winning the end of season play-off against Bollington Cross to be crowned chamCrewe and District pions.

League champions: 1901–02, 1902–03, When football resumed after World War II 1903–04 Congleton Town were once again back in the Cheshire County League. However, the strugMacclesfield and gled at first including finishing in last place in District League 1947-48. The club continued to struggle and champions: 1939–40 spent the 1950s finishing toward the bottom of the table each season.

North Staffordshire and They began the 1960s still struggling culmiDistrict League champions: 1919–20 nating in a last place finish in 1964-65, before joining the Manchester League in the 1965-66 season, finishing in fifth place. Their stay in the Cheshire Senior Cup league though lasted just three seasons and in winners: 1920–21, the 1968-69 season they joined the Mid-Chesh1937–38 ire League, finishing in eighth place. In 1969-70 they were runners-up.

Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup winners: 2006–07 They were runners-up again in 1971-72 then in 1973-74 they were crowned Mid-Cheshire Cheshire Saturday Cup league champions. The following season they winners: 1977–78 finished third before winning the league for a Crewe and District Cup second time in 1975-76. After another runners-up finish in 1976-77 they won the title for winners: 1903–04 a third time in 1977-78, their last season in the league. In 1978 the club re-joined the Cheshire County League, ion the newly formed Second Division, finishing in seventh place in their first season back in the league, 1978-79.

They won the league in its final season, 198182 before the league merged with the Lancashire Combination to form the North West Counties Football League in which they were

14 | @HebburnTown

founder members in 1982-83. In 1985-86 they were runners-up in the league, only missing out on the title on goal difference.

In 1987-88 they joined the Northern Premier League in the newly created Division One, finishing in ninth place. In the 1989-90 season, they reached the First Round of the FA Cup after beating Witton Albion in the fourth qualifying round. In the first round they were drawn away to Football League club Crewe Alexandra where they lost 2-0. However, they struggled most years at the higher level of the Northern Premier League and after finishing in last place in the 2000-01 season, they were relegated to the North West Counties Football League Division One. They did though reach the fourth round of the FA Trophy where they lost 6-2 to Worksop Town. The club remained in Division One which was renamed the Premier Division for the 2008-09 season.

At the end of the 2008-09 season, Congleton finished fourth in the Premier Division, behind AFC Fylde, New Mills and Newcastle Town, with only the first placed side gaining promotion to the Northern Premier League. In 2009-10 the club again finished fifth after an excellent start to the season, a poor mid-season run of form cost them dearly.

Congleton Town Supporters Trust was formed in 2001. The trust aims to help the club through sponsorship and community projects.

Preceding the start of 2020/21 the Bears announced a significant boost for the future of grass roots football in the town with the merger of Congleton Town, Congleton Vale Rovers and Congleton Rovers. The enlarged club will play entirely under the Congleton Town name with a newly designed kit and club badge. It is particularly exciting for all those connected with the Club that Ian and David Brightwell, both with their well-known connections with Manchester City, have agreed to represent the enlarged club as ambassadors. The merged Club will operate boys’ and girls’ teams from under 7s through the age groups to under 18s and then combine its senior football with an Academy team, Reserves, the semi-professional First Team and a Veterans team.

THE KEY MEN

By Josh Youll

Goalkeeper

Defender

The Gaffer

Ryan Austin Having been appointed in May, Austin has led Congleton to the fifth round of the Vase for the first time since 2004.

Hailing from Stoke, Austin began his playing career with Crewe Alexandra, prior to an eight-year spell with Burton Albion.

The former defender would made over 100 appearances for Brackley Town across four seasons, before becoming player-manager at Kidsgrove Athletic in 2016.

Austin brought the likes of Eric Graves and Richard Duffy along with him to The Bears in the summer.

David Parton

Richard Duffy

The consistent shot-stopper, who carries a wealth of experience under his belt, kept a clean-sheet against Malvern Town in the last round.

Now 35, the former Welsh international is currently player-assistant at Booth Street.

Parton joined Stoke City at the age of nine, spending 10 years with The Potters while occasionally appearing amongst the first-team substitutes.

After an injury-ridden Oldham Athletic spell, Parton would sign for Hednesford, Nantwich and Newcastle Town, as well as Altrincham and Kidsgrove Athletic.

He joined Congleton from Whitchurch Alport in February 2020.

Attacker

A product of Swansea City, the experienced centre-back donned the shirt 22 times for the Welsh club, having made his debut at 16.

Duffy would make his sole Premier League appearance for Portsmouth in 2004, while winning 13 international caps during the following three years.

The ex-Millwall defender has played over 100 games for Exeter City, Port Vale and Notts County.

The Game Changer

Midfielder

Eric Graves

Arron Johns

Jonathan Beaumont

Johns, who scored the winner against Malvern, has worked well alongside Aaron Bott and Dan Cope upfront.

The reliable, attack-minded midfielder has earned countless goals and assists this campaign.

The tough-tackling midfielder has been Another former Kidsgrove Athletic a standout player for Ryan Austin's player, Johns arrived at Congleton from side this season.

Whitchurch Alport near the end of 2019.

Having rose through the ranks of Stoke City, Graves enjoyed time with Burton Previously of Hanley Town, the Albion, Gainsborough Trinity and Mickleover Sports during the early stag- dangerous frontman has been deployed primarily as an advanced es of his career. forward by Ryan Austin, but can also be utilised on the flank.

The central midfielder, who captained Belper Town during his second spell, also had stints with Gresley Rovers and Coalville Town.

Graves signed for Kidsgrove Athletic in March 2018, before signing for The Bears in August 2020.

The pacey attacker has netted in each of the last three FA Vase ties for The Bears.

Beaumont played a big role in Norton United's 2013/14 season, as they were promoted as champions to tier eight, while also facing Gateshead in the FA Cup first round a year later.

The ex-Leek and Newcastle Town playmaker linked up with Kidsgrove Athletic, before moving to Chasetown in 2018.

Beaumont signed for Congleton in time for the 2019/20 campaign, and extended his stay further in the summer.

@HebburnTown | 15

Hebburn TV

18 | @HebburnTown

FA Vase FInal Virtual Tickets

The tickets and programmes from our Vase Final virtual ticket campaign have now gone to print.

Visit our website or social media for the link to our crowdfunder.

Tickets and programmes are still available to order through our crowdfunder, but any order from now cannot be given the guarantee of arrival before the Final on Monday 3rd May.

£8 gets you a virtual ticket with your own dedicated seat number in the North Stand where Hornets fans would have been situated.

Hebburn Town are running this campaign alongside our 'Hornets in the Community' where we are hoping to use the platform from making our first Wembley cup final to raise money for some excellent causes in the community. With the biggest game in our club's 109-year history being played behind closed doors, we also wanted to give you the chance to get your hands on some kind of souvenir and to feel closer to the action.

These efforts were in part inspired by the excellent initiatives from Marine AFC and Sunderland AFC who also used huge games as a platform for fundraising efforts.

A donation of £5 would give you a printed copy of our special edition programme or entry into a prize draw.

For £13 get the full matchday experience with a virtual ticket and a copy of the special edition matchday programme.

We are devastated that our fans who have supported us all the way can not cheer us on at Wembley, but we are proud to offer you some mementos from this incredible journey.

Monies raised (after costs) will be split between the club itself and other worthy causes (Hebburn Helps Food Bank & Crisis Centre, Hebburn Town Juniors FC & Motor Nuerone Disease Association). @HebburnTown | 17

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: 13-0 Heaviest Defeat: 3-10 18 | @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 still yet 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 | 19

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.

20 | @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

Jack Lambert 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

Extremely talented, dynamic young midfielder who has signed following a spell playing professionally in Iceland. Spent his youth career with Middlesbrough FC before moving on to the likes of Scunthorpe, Blyth Spartans and Darlington FC.

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.

Michael McKeown Midfielder

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.

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.

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 | 21

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 Report

Wednesday 21st April - Durham Challenge Cup Hebburn Town 4-5 Birtley Town

By David Coulthard With last season’s Durham Challenge Cup cut short and this year severely delayed and disrupted, it’s been hard to keep track of who remains in the competition. With the Northern League season curtailed, clubs were given the option on whether to continue in the Durham Challenge Cup, with a flurry of withdrawals as a result.

Despite this, both Birtley and Hebburn have come through two ties plus a bye apiece to reach the quarter-final stage.

In the preliminary round, Birtley were drawn at home to fellow Northern League Division 2 side Brandon United and won the tie 2-1 thanks to goals from Chad Collins and Sam Hedley.

Their first-round tie was then delayed for several months and eventually played last week. This was a huge challenge against a leading first division side in Consett, who also selected a strong line-up. Again, Birtley triumphed 2-1 on home soil against Hebburn’s FA Vase final opponents as Kelvin Thear netted the winner 4 minutes into stoppage time after Joe Barwick’s early goal had been cancelled out by their opponents.

22 | @HebburnTown

Hebburn also started in the preliminary round with a trip to Ford Quarry Hub to face Division 2 side Washington. Hebburn ran out strong 10-2 winners with a double hat-trick from Cedwyn Scott (now of Carlisle United), a brace from Amar Purewal and a goal apiece for Michael Richardson and Lee Mason.

Birtley pressed for the leveller and Joshua Holland found Barwick whose snapshot was saved by Coulson but in the 39th minute the 2-goal cushion was restored through Purewal, who shrugged off Adam Ward and fired low into the near post.

Northern Alliance League club Gateshead Rutherford must have feared the worst when making the first-round trip to The Green Energy Sports Ground, but they put in a solid performance to frustrate Hebburn for much of the game, with the home side eventually clinching a 2-0 victory thanks to Scott and Olly Martin.

Hoops’ captain Jack Honour had a decent effort from 25 yards, showing that their heads had not dropped but they must have feared the worst when Richardson added a fourth in the last minute of the half. Richardson calmly rounded Mills and could have gone to ground following a slight touch from the keeper but kept his feet and his composure to find the back of the net beyond the covering defender.

Like Birtley, Hebburn received a second-round bye due to Whickham pulling out of the competition.

Birtley, in their familiar green and white hoops, got the game underway kicking from right to left as I looked from the Andy Foster stand with Hebburn in their light blue away kit.

In just the 2nd minute of the game, Kaleb Young played a long ball in behind the Hebburn defence and Daniel Hill beat keeper Andrew Coulson to the ball, but his effort sailed over. The keeper appeared to clatter into him on the follow through, sparking big penalty shouts for the home side, however referee Andrew Kitchen waved away the appeals and Hill was soon forced off through injury.

In the 7th minute, the visitors had their first shot on target with Philip Mills doing well to push Jack Lambert’s effort behind for a corner, but Lambert didn’t have to wait long for his debut goal. It came just 2 minutes later following a break away from a Birtley corner. Michael Richardson crossed for Amar Purewal who brought it down and forced Mills into a terrific point-blank save but the ball fell for Lambert who controlled well and provided a composed finish.

18 minutes into the game, Sam Dinsley had a decent effort for Birtley, but it was too central and Coulson got down well then Olly Martin hit a similar effort at the other end, which was well held by Mills.

Mid-way through the half Christopher Stevens’ near post effort for the home side skipped up off the surface and had to be turned behind by the keeper then in the 25th minute The Hornets doubled their advantage with Martin turning down the right-hand side and crossing for Purewal to volley home.

It was almost 3 a couple of minutes later when a little chip forward to captain Louis Storey was met on the volley and went narrowly wide, accompanied by a clattering sound that makes me think it may have clipped the post.

HT: Birtley Town 1-4 Hebburn Town Soon after the restart, Birtley ramped up the pressure and came close on several occasions. Barwick broke clear and forced Coulson into saving with his foot when one-on-one with the keeper then forced to tip one over the top.

Just before the hour mark, the pressure paid off when Stevens thumped his low effort home, and they should have been back within 1 soon after when a corner found Honour on the edge of the 6-yard box, but his free header sailed wide.

A minute later, Hebburn almost had a 5th when Martin’s effort was tipped onto the bar by Mills, but it was clear that Birtley’s belief was growing, and Kelvin Thear fired home on 65 to get them back within 1.

The chances kept coming at either end with Barwick firing one across goal and Hebburn sub Graeme Armstrong shooting high and wide into the trees behind the goal with a half-chance and remarkably with 6 minutes left Birtley got themselves level.

A free kick into the box was headed against the bar and the rebound was eventually scrambled in by Thear (I think!).

With 2 minutes to play Hebburn thought they had won it when Lambert’s ball across goal was remarkably missed from a couple of yards by Armstrong, but just as penalties loomed it was the home side that capped a wonderful comeback with the winner through Young finding the bottom corner, sparking delight from the Birtley bench.

Hebburn came even closer in the 31st minute when Storey’s ball found Purewal who broke the offside trap and lobbed Mills, only to see his effort come back off the bar. The rebound was completely miskicked by Lambert from close range and the keeper recovered.

They would be made to pay for that miss almost instantly when Joe Barwick controlled well and smashed home from close range to half the arrears and they almost had 2 in 2 minutes when Stevens’ ball across the face of goal had to be desperately cleared.

@HebburnTown | 23

Quiz Corner

Guess WHO?

Spot the ball

24 | @HebburnTown

Sports QUiz 1. Who scored the winner 6. Who scored the equalfor Everton in their Friday iser for Leeds United Night game against against Liverpool?

Arsenal?

7. When Ryan Mason 2. How many days did the became the youngest manager to manage a European Super League last between its announce- Premier League game, ment and clubs beginning whose record did he break? to pull out?

3. Which Championship team have already confirmed their promotion to the Premier League?

4. Which other team could join them with a point this weekend?

8.Who won the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola last weekend?

9. Which team currently sits top of Rugby League's Super League?

5. How many Northern League teams remain in the FA Vase?

9

Guess who: Jack Donaghy, Spot the Ball: B Quiz: 1. Bernd Leno (Own Goal), 2. Two days, 3. Norwich City, 4. Watford, 5. Two (Ourselves and West Auckland), 6. Diego Llorente, 7. Attilio Lombardo, 8. Max Verstappen, 9. St. Helens

ANSWERS: @HebburnTown | 25

"WE REALLY BACK OURSELVES THE FURTHER WE GO": HEBBURN TOWN FORWARD AMAR PUREWAL ON FA VASE FOURTH ROUND WIN

By Josh Youll Having opened the scoring against Liversedge, Amar Purewal was relieved to get through into the last 16 of the FA Vase following a hard-fought victory.

Purewal opened the scoring on 31 minutes, before Liversedge found an equaliser just five minutes later.

Michael Richardson's precise corner found the head of Purewal on the half hour mark, who bulleted the ball into the back of the net.

"I'm pleased to get on the scoresheet," the attacker commented.

"Considering I was probably their best player for the first 20 minutes, I was glad to make up for things.

Michael McKeown fired past Jordan Porter with 71 minutes on the clock, sending The Hornets into the FA Vase fifth round.

"Louis [Storey] told me to go back post and luckily I connected with the ball well.

Purewal, operating primarily on the flank, was overjoyed with the result: "We're delighted to get through.

"We should've managed the game better though, but we rushed things slightly and their striker pegged them back straight away."

"It was a tough game, especially since we haven't played since December, so it's good to be back in the swing of things.

Kevin Bolam's side eventually celebrated a winner through McKeown on 71 minutes, and Purewal was confident as soon as he gained possession.

"It wasn't the cleanest of performances, but all we wanted was the win to get into the next round.

"As soon as the ball falls to him on the edge of the box, you know he'll either hit the target or make the keeper work.

"It was a scrappy game without much quality - it was quite a direct match as the pitch was taken out of the equation.

"He's got a great left foot and it's a great finish, but it seemed to go through in slow motion!

"Going in 1-1 at half-time, we knew we'd have the quality to break them down and get it over the line, and thankfully we did so."

26 | @HebburnTown

"We really back ourselves the further we go, we're a good team and we've got the home advantage.

"We're going back into a routine now and hopefully we can carry it on next weekend."

Editor’s Notes Hello everybody and welcome back to another digital issue of the matchday programme.

For those of you who will be watching the stream, I hope you enjoy it. Once again, we have to extend a big thanks to Gateshead FC for their help on this.

When I streamed the North Shields match earlier in the season, it was new territory for me. I found it quite stressful to produce a stream of significantly less quality than the one Gateshead put on for us.

It is great to be able to have commentary as well, I hope for those of you watching it feels more like a proper football broadcast with David Gaddess and Mark Carruthers' input.

This week has been really tough work getting the Wembley programme over the line. It has been around the clock work for me, getting the content and adapting the templates to make them more compatible with print. I really hope everyone enjoys it.

For this reason, I hope you can appreciate the scaled back nature of this digital edition. It was a case of putting this on the back burner to ensure the special edition was done.

Once again, I will be helped out by a bigger media team today, which I am grateful for.

On the media team, I realised one big mistake I made in the Wembley Special Edition. I forgot to say a big thanks to our club photographers in my column. Without Sean Harrison and Richard Waugh, these would just be blank pages and text. The excellent work they do really lights up these programmes.

I saw that Consett launched their own virtual ticket and programme initiative this week. Personally, I would urge people to support both clubs on this front. Gary Welford, who edits Consett's programmes, was very helpful in sharing information for mine. I'm going to pick up a copy of his, it looks a great piece of work.

Away from Wembley now, today we play the last 16 of this year's Vase. This squad has achieved an unbelievable feat, going so deep in this competition for three years running.

I know fans will be extremely excited about another run. I'm always nervous with football to express too much excitement at any run of form. I'm the same with Leeds United as well, I refuse to make any big predictions or look too far ahead.

Against Liversedge, the lads battled really well. You could see how hard they have worked since being allowed to return to training, to get through a 90 minutes like that and to manage the game so well at the end of it.

It wasn't the best footballing display I've watched this group put on. But its cup football and it is all about showing the mettle to get results. Something this group of lads have shown for the last few years.

Birtley on Wednesday night in the Challenge Cup was a crazy game. The complete drop in performance in the second half was strange to see. Credit also has to go to Birtley, they've now knocked out the two finalists from last season's Vase. Personally, I hope they win it now.

As for Congleton, to me they are a complete unknown. When I've interviewed Kev, Mick and Louis, they've all alluded to doing their homework.

Kev and Mick always put in the hours to make sure their lads are well prepared for any team. As always, I'm hoping for an entertaining game from the media box and a Hebburn win.

Enjoy the game, Kieran Archer

Kieran Archer @HebburnTown | 27

Hebburn Town

Congleton Town

Manager: Kevin Bolam Start

Manager: Ryan Austin Sub

Sub

Mark Foden (GK)

Start

David Parton (GK) Chris Baker

Dan Groves Jack Donaghy

Jonathan Beaumont

Darren Lough

Richard Booth

Danny Carson

Aaron Bott William Buckley

Angelos Eleftheriadis

Daniel Buehler

Louis Storey

Daniel Cope

Robbie Spence

David Drinkwater

Michael McKeown

Richard Duffy

Damen Mullen

Elliott Fenton

Carl Taylor Michael Richardson Tom Potter Jack Lambert

V

Declan Fletcher Eric Graves Anthony Griffifth Sam Hadfield-Summerbee

Olly Martin

Oliver Jepson

Amar Purewal Graeme Armstrong

Arron Johns

Andy Coulson (GK)

Jordan Johnson

Kieran Hunter (GK)

Max McCarthy Alex Morris

Dylan Rutherford

Damon Oakes

Luke Hudson

Ryan Read

Jordan Stephenson

Joshua Ryder

Ethan Carter

Thomas Schofield Jonathan Swale Stanley Tatters Lee Williamson

Attendance: Referee: *Paul Brown

MOTM: Assistant Referees: Craig Chatten & Kirk Freeth