Issue #06 - v Whickham FC (22/10/2022) [FA Vase]

“IT’S AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY AND EXPERIENCE FOR THE LADS AND THE CLUB.”

THOUGHTS FROM THE DUGOUT

Looking forward to today’s game, it’s always nice to be part of the FA Vase competition. It’s an excellent opportunity and experience for the lads and the club. We’re hoping to get a strong crowd behind us to help get us over the line after the disappointment of our last two outings, being knocked out of both the Edward Case Trophy and the Macron Cup on penalties.

The last two games have been really tough to take. We had more than enough control and good situations to finish both in regulation time, sending us through to the next rounds. Unfortunately, a mistake against South Liverpool and the circumstances of being down to 10 men for a significant period against Burscough allowed them to facilitate a way back into the ties. Eventually, we paid the price. However, there is still plenty of belief in this group that we haven’t quite put the complete performances together. We are confident they are coming, and let’s hope it starts today.

Obviously, the last few weeks have had their positives. I welcomed Elliott Moore back into the squad from a long absence, and Joe Amison and Tommy Dawson are approaching match fitness again. We’re fortunate enough to bring Sam Joel back into the team today, so it looks like a healthier picture overall. We must push each other to reflect the squad’s strength through a string of good results.

KEVIN WATKIN

“WE KNOW IT WILL BE A CHALLENGING GAME AGAINST A GOOD WHICKHAM SIDE.”

THOUGHTS FROM THE DUGOUT

Good afternoon, and welcome to Rakesmoor Lane for today’s First Round Proper, Isuzu FA Vase fixture against Whickham FC.

The boys should be going into this game with plenty of confidence after last week’s performance against Burscough FC. Even though we went down to 10 men after 40 minutes, the lads responded very well, played some attractive football and had great chances to put it to bed. Still, unfortunately, it didn’t go our way.

It’s been a mixed bag of results this season, but I’m confident that with the talent we have, we can really push on to get into the top 5 that we set of sights on at the start of the season. I believe we can get a result today and push on, but we know it will be a challenging game against a good Whickham side.

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

JASON WALKER

Reflecting over the two previous cup games, we felt we deserved to win both. Still, when you go into a penalty shootout, they say it’s inevitably a lottery, and that’s precisely what it was. We had the opportunity in both shootouts to win it, but it wouldn’t go in for us.

The game against South Liverpool was one of our worst performances this season, yet we still should have won in regulation time. In our last match against Burscough, I thought we played some excellent stuff in challeng ing conditions and should have been victorious too. We had to battle for 65 mins with 10 men after Mitch was harshly sent off. However, even then, we were still the team trying to win the game and created better chances, one of which I should have probably put away.

So we go into this afternoon’s FA Vase game in good spirits despite the two losses, and we’ll be ready for what Whickham throw at us. We’re expecting a demanding game, as they always are against North East sides, but we’ve prepared well and feel that if we play the game how we know we can, we can beat anybody on our day.

If it does happen to go to penalties again, let’s hope it’s 3rd time lucky for us...

“WE’RE EXPECTING A DEMANDING GAME... BUT WE’VE PREPARED WELL”

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

ON THE OPPONENT

THEIR HISTORY

CLUB FOUNDED 1944

It all began in 1944 when the club was formed under Axwell Park Colliery Welfare, although they were colloquially termed the Home Guard Team. Early on, the side played in the Derwent Valley League before switching to the Northern Combination and, in 1974, to the Wearside League. Whickham enjoyed quite a degree of success at this level before joining the Northern League Second Division in 1988. Having reached the Semi Final of the FA Vase in 197879, losing to Almondsbury Greenway.

FA VASE WINNERS 1981

It was in 1981 that Whickham had its finest hour. The club went all the way to the Twin Towers in the final of the FA Vase after a titanic struggle to overcome Windsor Eton in the semi Final. An estimated 5,000 fans followed Whickham to Wembley. Willenhall FC from the Midlands awaited on the big day. In a gripping Final, Whickham came back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 at full time with goals from Alan Scott and Ronnie Williamson taking the game into extratime. Ecstasy followed when Billy Cawthra broke way to win it 3-2 to send the Vase back up to Tyneside. This success leaves us as the last North East-based club to win a National Final at the old Wembley Stadium, which is now rebuilt, the club’s little piece of History. Whickham again nearly reached Wembley in 1983-84, falling short in the Semi-final in controversial fashion.

The second-leg tie at home to Stansted saw two Whickham players sent off in a bad-tempered affair. After just one season in the Second Division under the management of Billy Hodgson, the club gained promotion for the first time into the First Division in 1988-89 and spent three seasons there before being relegated in 1991-92.

PROMOTION 1994-95

Another promotion came in 1994-95 when they won the Second Division. A further two seasons were spent in the First Division before another relegation in 1996-97 back into the Second Division, where they’ve remained until 2018. After Billy’s reign, the club struggled to find its identity and, with funds tight, struggled to compete. Although three or four managers took over, the club found itself in a perilous position in 1999/00 when without the intervention of Tony Ainley, the club was in grave danger of going out of business.

DURHAM CHALLENGE CUP WINNERS

Tony’s reign started with no players and no money. Although his first two seasons were about survival, the club was again safely settled in the Northern League. Over the next three or four years, the club undertook significant changes. The hard work was rewarded when after a fantastic run defeating four First Division sides on the way, the club found itself in the final of the Prestigious Durham Challenge Cup. After being second best for long spells against an excellent Billingham Synthonia side, two late goals from Kenny Boyle and Ian Robson snatched Whickham a fantastic victory.

Building the Foundations of Whickham FC

ERNEST ARMSTRONG MEMORIAL CUP WINNERS

The following season followed the capture of the DCC by winning the newly named Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup (2nd Division Cup) by defeating Penrith in an exciting Penalty Shoot-out. On to the DCC that season, we also reached the Semi Final, defending the Trophy before losing a close game away at Chester le Street. After Tony relinquished the managerial post, the club had a lot of chopping and changing. In 2013 Robin Falcus was appointed manager. The 2012-13 season was a tough learning curve for Robin and Kris Holmes, his assistant, but the club decided to stick with a plan. Anyone who knows Robin can see his passion and hunger to get the best of the players and club, and his decision to stick has grown to be great. Robin began to build, and things took aim. The Lang Jacks finished 6th (the highest in six years) in 2017 after a roller-coaster season, and in the following season, things turned to magic.

PROMOTION TO DIVISION ONE – 2018

The aim was to Improve on the previous season, which was well and truly smashed. In a tough competitive league where many other clubs had more resources, Robin managed to build a young and hungry side which defied the odds. They were a surprise package, finishing third in the league thanks to a dramatic last day of the season. Third was enough for the club to secure promotion to Division One for the first time in 21 years.

The club’s past may be chequered and not without success,

EYES ON OPPONENT

but Whickham FC has been on this roller-coaster. There have been plenty of difficulties, yet the people behind the club always come together for the love of the beautiful game.

Their first season back in Northern League Division One was a brutal campaign for the Lang Jacks, who finished second-bottom. However, they still remained in the league and have built a strong squad ahead of the 2019-20 season – Robin’s eighth season in charge of Whickham.

After a disappointing start to the 2019-20 season, Whickham parted ways with long-serving manager Falcus and his backroom staff in October. Former South Africa international and Newcastle United midfielder Matty Pattison made the step up to management, his first coaching position. Pattison brought former Wales international and Sunderland midfielder John Oster in as his assistant.

HIGHEST NORTHERN LEAGUE FINISH – 2022

The club finished 7th in the 2021-2022 season, with their highest-ever Ebac Northern League placing following a successful second half.

After a slow start, the club decided to replace their manager. Tony Fawcett was appointed as the new manager in October 2021 and ended the season unbeaten at The First Mortgage Glebe.

The club won 13 of their 21 matches under Fawcett in the league, drawing another five and ending the campaign with 10 clean sheets.

Highest Northern League Finish

ON THE OPPONENT

FA Vase Winners (1981)

FA Vase Winners (1981)

CLUB NEWSROOM

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

40 Years of Loyal Service

History is vital to us as humans. It’s how we learn from the past and apply that to the present. Growing as a society and keeping our culture alive. It’s also important to football fans. These gentlemen have been there through it all. Helping build everything that is now a part of this beloved club. They’ve stayed committed through thick and thin.

We are putting on an evening to celebrate the efforts of three club legends that have and continue to keep the club running.

The evening will be Saturday, 19th November 2022, at Rakesmoor Lane.

Tickets cost £10 each, including a pie, peas and a disco.

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PLAYER SPONSORS

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SPONSORS

SAM STEPHENS

JASON WALKER

KEVIN WATKIN

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