Newton Aycliffe FC v Billingham Town Official Matchday Programme

AYCLIF F E OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME | SEASON 2020-21 | ISSUE 04

NEW TON

BILLINGHAM TOWN

Tuesday 29 September, 2020 | Ebac Northern League Division One | Kick off 7.45pm

WELCOME to NEWTON AYCLIFFE NEWTON AYCLIFFE FOOTBALL CLUB SECRETARY Stephen Cunliffe 01325 320656 stecunliffe@aol.com

Hello and welcome to the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium for tonight’s fixture with Billingham Town.

CHAIRMAN Allan Oliver

You jon us this evening amidst further rule changes and guidance with regards to both attending football matches and everyday life.

TREASURER Yvonne Wood MATCHDAY SECRETARY David Strickland HEAD COACH Colin Stromsoy ASSISTANT COACH Mark Wood PHYSIO Jack Petrozcy MEDIA Joe Ramage joe.ramage92@hotmail. com Bob Wood 07766808407 COMMITTEE Graeme Jones Alison Strickland Rob Tarling Dan Mellanby Scott Brassell Andy McFarlene Paul Trippett

These are testing times, but we can only offer our assurances that we are complying with every rule that is being issued to us as a club with the interests of you, our supporters, at heart.

We appreciate the disruption some of these measures may cause, but by adhering to them as a club and as supporters it will afford us the best possible opportunity to continue being able to attend the football, at least in some capacity.

Moving onto brighter things, and I am sure you are all still waiting to come down from cloud nine (or should that be six) following Saturday’s superb 6-0 win at Thornaby.

Speaking after the game, assistant coach Mark Wood suggested it was the best first half performance he has ever been invovled in and www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

it’s hard to disagree with five goals inside just 30 minutes of football.

Tonight we move on however and with it comes issue four of your Newton Aycliffe matchday programme.

In tonight’s copy we hear from the century man Marc Costello having reached a landmark 100 appearances for the club following last weekend’s FA Vase triumph over Barnoldswick Town.

Paul McGeary is back with another look down memory lane while club legend and former captain Sean Tarling is our guest in ‘A Decade On’ as he tells us about his memories of that title winning season.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the game.

Joe Ramage Editor

@NAycliffeFC

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CONT IN TONIGHT’S ISSUE...

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FROM THE DUG OUT Hear from Head Coach Colin Stromsoy on tonight’s game

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CAPTAIN’S COLUMN The Skipper Aaron Brown gives his latest thoughts from the dressing room

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YOUR NEWTON AYCLIFFE 2020-21 Player profiles and club history, it’s all here

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THE VISITORS We take an in-depth look at tonight’s visitors Billingham Town

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R E WIND

Credit Jim Chapman @BillinghamTown

CLUB NEWS All you need to know about the new Covid-19 measures in place

THE VISITORS...

A look back on Aycliffe’s latest outings since the last time we were on home soil

Saturday 26 September, 2020 Teesdale Park

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Konstantopoulos Flounders Drummond Poole Roddam Gardner Kenny Hopson Beddow Murphy Hannah

Pickford Phelan Brown McGee Pilling Costello Wood Petitjean Jarvie Reay Burnicle

Jarvie 2’ Petitjean 6’ 82’ Wood 12’ Burnicle 21’ 28’ Costello Brown

Subs: Green, Redford, Dibb-Fuller, Ardelean, Wearmouth

Newton Aycliffe were unplayable at times as they registered their highest ever away win in the Northern League at Thornaby.

Five goals inside a 30 minute first half blitz put Aycliffe on course for a win which never looked in doubt before Jake Petitjean added a sixth with his second of the game in the second half.

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weekend’s 4-0 win over Barnoldswick Town in the FA Vase.

And they picked up where they left off with Jarvie slotting the ball between Dimitrios Konstantopoulos’ legs with a little over 60 seconds on the clock after good work by Pilling and Ben Reay.

Adam Burnicle also bagged a brace with Liam Jarvie and Ethan Wood completing the rout as Aycliffe moved up to fourth in the table to keep up with the early pace setters.

The hosts almost hit back immediately when Dale Hopson forced Pickford into a good save with Aaron Brown on hand to divert the rebound away with what happened next being simply breath taking.

Lucas Pilling replaced the injured Lewis Walton at full back in an otherwise unchanged starting line-up from last

Brown and Reay exchanged a neat onetwo before Reay teed up Petitjean who fizzed an effort from 20 yards beyond

#OneTownOneTeam

Newton Aycliffe FC

Konstantopoulos into the top corner as Aycliffe moved up through the gears.

Two became three in the 12th minute when Reay once more applied pressure to the Thornaby backline with a high press and was able to win the ball and release Wood who stroked the ball into the bottom corner.

Jarvie was a whisker away from making it four minutes later when his curling effort just went past the far post.

But it was Jarvie involved once more five minutes later when he wriggled through the defence into the area and was brought down leaving the referee little option but to point to the spot.

Burnicle stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way to open his league account for the season and make it 4-0.

The striker doubled his tally in the 28th minute to cap a five star opening half an hour with arguably the goal of the game

when he bent the ball superbly with the outside of his boot into the top corner of Konstantopoulos’ net once more.

Aycliffe were in dreamland at the interval with the hosts shell shocked.

INTRODUCING

Ben Dibb-Fuller was introduced for the excellent Reay early in the second half as Aycliffe kept their foot on the pedal.

BILLINGHAM

Burnicle was close to completing his hat-trick just after the hour mark when he raced clear of the Thornaby defence but the keeper saved with his legs to deny him.

With the game fizzling out and Aycliffe looking to secure a clean sheet, there was still time for that elusive sixth goal as Connor Phelan slid an excellent ball through to Petitjean.

TOWN

With only the goalkeeper to beat, the midfielder elegantly lifted the ball over his head to seal a memorable afternoon for the club.

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

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illingham Town are the visitors to the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium as they make the journey up the A19 to be with us this evening.

Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Ashington means it has been a winless start to the season for the Teessiders and they arrive looking to move off the bottom of the Ebac Northern League Division One table.

The two side’s shared the spoils last season, each winning the away fixture as Liam McNamara’s goal was enough to secure Aycliffe a victory at Bedford Terrace in October before Billingham edged a five goal thriller at Moore Lane with exNewtonian Craig Hutchinson haunting his club with two excellent strikes as part of a 3-2 win.

Newton Aycliffe FC

Newton Aycliffe FC

Town entered the 2020-21 campaign on the back of a successful first season at this level last term before its suspension, with Barry Oliver guiding his side to 10th in the Northern League Division One table with 42 points from their 30 matches played.

The summer was spent planting the foundations for the club to progress and build this season with Chairman John Tough and Oliver wokring together to bring in a number of key signing’s including former striker Daniel Earl.

Billingham midfielder Tom Hinchley will be familiar to most at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium having spent a year in the blue of Aycliffe in 2012.

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@NAycliffeFC

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ENTS COSTEL100 Midfielder Marc Costello joins us to discuss reaching a landmark 100th appearance for the club

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REWIND A look back at the FA Vase success and Saturday’s win at Thornaby

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MEMORY LANE Ex-media man Paul McGeary looks back on his Moore Lane memories against tonight’s visitors Billingham Town

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A DECADE ON Club legend and ex-captain Sean Tarling stars in our celebratory feature as we look back at Aycliffe’s 2010-11 Northern League Division Two title winning campaign

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CHAMP

COSTEl100 Marc Costello secured his 100th appearance for Newton Aycliffe in the club’s recent FA Vase success over Barnoldswick Town. We sit down with the Aycliffe midfielder to discuss his achievement, how he might have made it here sooner and what lies ahead.

What are your memories of that 10-11 season?

It was one of the most memorable years I had not only in football, but in my life. In the February [2010] I became a father for the first time when we welcomed a beautiful little girl into our lives but, as you can imagine, pre-season was tough with a lack of sleep and Mr Gary Farley putting us through our paces was the last thing I needed to be honest!

There’s a drop of perspiration forming on Marc Costello’s head, highlighted by the fading early autumnal sun. He sits back to let out a token sigh of a job complete and looks out onto the cricket field surrounding the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium.

I remember pre-season being quite a mixed bag though. We’d had a great first season in the Northern League finishing ninth in which we played some great football and basically picked up where we left off the season before when claiming promotion from the Wearside League.

To finish top 10 in our first season was a great success for the club.

Darlington CC are the visitors as the game winds down to its close. There has been no century of runs during this drawn North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League Division Two match – that was saved for the football field pocketed in the background beyond the foliage where Costello reached his landmark 100th appearance for the club in a 4-0 win in the FA Vase over Barnoldswick Town.

For me personally, looking back now has to be one of the best season’s I’ve had in the Northern League. I was given the captaincy a few games into the season due to Paul Stout unfortunately getting injured. It was an absolute honour to captain my home town club - something I managed to do for a number of years after this success story.

We had such a great togetherness, local lads from the town who loved the club and were committed to what Allan [Oliver] and the committee were trying to do and that makes a huge difference.

We won together but we also lost together (although not very much in the 2010-11 season).

Three years since the midfielder’s arrival from Washington and a raft of changes since, just how does it feel to achieve this milestone?

“Initially I wasn’t aware,” says a smiling Costello. “I think it was Adam [Pickford] who message in the players group and said ‘oh do you know it’s your 100th game?’ And then when I got to the game

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#OneTownOneTeam

Newton Aycliffe FC

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

10NS

A decade ago Newton Aycliffe were embarking on a journey that would live long in the memory of every Newtonian as the club smashed its way to the STL Northern League Division Two championship. Winning an extraordinary 30 of their 38 matches and amassing a whopping 95 points, Allan Oliver’s men secured their place in the Northern League First Division in just their second season at Northern League level.

In this feature series we are going to look back and celebrate an historic season a decade on by revisiting games, goals and stories as told by the players and staff involved, with tonight’s guest; club legend and title winning captain Sean Tarling...

I was very fortunate that season to play over 40 games and have no injuries - if I did have any

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knocks, I played through it. I knew how strong the squad was and every one of us wanted that shirt on a Saturday afternoon. You played well, you kept it. That was always Allan’s message.

It was just a season that I will never forget. The craic was unbelievable on and off the pitch and for me that was very important. There were games in the season where we really had to dig deep and without the togetherness we had we would not have won or drawn some of those games and finished where we did.

It must have been great, as captain, to win the league with the club?

To play for your home town club was an honour, to captain your home town club was an absolute privilege but to play, captain and win the Northern League was unbelievable. I got married in July 2011, so when we won the league that year and got promoted, when we collected the trophy and had the presentation night it was like a mini stag do. Some might have called it #BEERCLUB. It was an honour to say the least.

What was the atmosphere in the dressing room like that season?

The atmosphere in the changing room was always upbeat. We had the likes of Danny Mellanby, Paul Stout, Stuey Owen (Ratboy) and the Mad Monk Scott Pocklington in the squad. It was never a dull day on match day or in training.

But not only did we have the players, atmosphere and the banter, we also had Mr Frankie Swinburne who was an absolute legend and always will be.

Frankie looked after the lads week in, week out Newton Aycliffe FC

@NAycliffeFC

and the season we won the league it really was for him. He was with us every step of the way that season.

How long into the season was it when you realised you had a chance to win it?

I’m not sure I ever really thought about it. I do remember a turning point for us as a team however; we’d had some mixed results in the early games including against Guisborough who have and will continue to be Newton Aycliffe’s bogey team.

We got beat 2-3 at home and then the following week we played them again and drew 2-2 and I knew then that if we were to get out of the league it would be Guisborough fighting it out with us so it gave us a team to judge ourselves against and we came out on top in the end.

Are there any games/goals that stand out?

I often like to remember playing Whitley Bay away - we won the game 1-4. It was always a tough game playing Whitley Bay, they’ve always been a very organised side. But that day we outclassed them from start to finish and as a player it’s always nice to get on the score sheet and I think the lads are still sick of me talking about that goal now. I

won’t go into to much detail about it, but it was one of my best efforts - I’m sure Paul McGeary can mention it in his column though it at some stage!

Can you believe it’s been 10 Years?

Not at all. It really does show you how quick time goes by. Looking back now we were a group of home-grown local lads who loved playing football, had great togetherness, loved a pint and were mates. Simple as that.

We were/ have been very fortunate to experience what we have with our friends because that is exactly how it was. We were playing home games in front of 300-400 plus every other week beating teams such as Morpeth, Whitley Bay, Hebburn, Marske United very comfortably.

To say it’s been 10 years since we did what we did is unbelievable.

The commitment that Allan [Oliver] continues to give the football club is a different level - without him the club does not exist. For me personally, as the boots are currently perched on two hooks, I loved my time with the club and would give anything to roll back 5-10 years to do it all again. We conquered what we set out to do that season and we celebrated that success for about 12 months after!

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

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FROM THE DUG OUT

COLIN

STROMSOY Newton Aycliffe Head Coach Colin Stromosy delivers his verdict ahead of tonight’s home encounter in the Ebac Northern League Division One with Billingham Town.

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ood evening and welcome back to the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium as we look to maintain our positive start to the new Ebac Northern League season.

It has been a challenging first month of the campaign both on and off the pitch, but I think we can all share in the comfort of knowing we have returned and gotten down to business in the correct and appropriate way throughout; adhering to all of the guidelines in place to ensure we can carry on with playing football.

It is a tough schedule for us all; tonight’s game will be our seventh of the month, on the back of a strenuous pre-season schedule, so in that respect I’m happy with the start we have made.

None more so than with Saturday’s performance and result at Thornaby.

Right from the get-go we were at it all over the pitch – the forwards pressed, the midfield squeezed up and the defence pushed on.

To take an early lead away from home

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is always a great thing, but to capitalise on that in the manner in which we did over the following 25-30 minutes was excellent.

Those are the levels of performance and application we need to match on a regular basis. The lads have proven in spells they are capable of delivering to a very high standard at this level – to score six goals away from home in this division demonstrates that. Each goal was of its own high quality, too.

The challenge that faces us now is, can we as coaches and players replicate those levels consistently? It was a superb display and I’m proud of all the players and staff but now we must draw a line under it, refocus and prepare properly for a tough fixture this evening.

I’d like to welcome Barry along with his players and staff and the supporters of Billingham Town to Aycliffe this evening.

While it’s not been an ideal start for Billingham in terms of the table, it is still very early in the season and we know from our encounters with Newton Aycliffe FC

“THE CHALLENGE THAT FACES US NOW IS, CAN WE AS COACHES AND PLAYERS REPLICATE THOSE LEVELS” them last season just how physical and challenging tonight’s game will be so we can’t lose focus.

They will be coming here to go all out for the three points to kick-start their season and it is up to us to match those levels and make sure we show how much we want to win the game as well.

Billingham are a strong side, with some good players after making a number of significant signings over the summer.

But with that said, we are at home which

offers us a big opportunity to gain another three points.

We have won two of the three games we have played at home in all competitions so far and that is something we need to look at trying to maintain throughout the season.

Thank you for your continued support.

Enjoy the game.

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

Colin Stromsoy @NAycliffeFC

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CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

AARON

BROWN CLUB CAPTAIN AARON BROWN GIVES HIS THOUGHTS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S GAME

Hello and welcome to tonight’s game with Billingham Town.

As always, it’s great to be back on home turf once more and again under the floodlights – there’s something just a little bit extra special about playing under the lights and we’re looking forward to doing so again this evening.

of goal. I mentioned in my programme notes at the beginning of the season that I believed once we got that first goal and the lads at the top end of the pitch

We arrive tonight on the back of a special day for the club on Saturday. It’s not very often you go away from home and win 6-0 in this league so we were absolutely delighted to achieve such a result and we more than deserved it.

I’d like to think I’ve got a bit of experience behind me at Aycliffe having played here for a number of years now and I can honestly say that first 45 minutes on Saturday is right up there with the very best I’ve been involved in.

We work tremendously hard in training to be well drilled and organised and to know our individual and collective roles, so when it all comes together and works like it did on Saturday it’s a great feeling to be part of.

We were at it from the very first whistle and were absolutely ruthless in front

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Newton Aycliffe FC

got off the mark we would beat teams comfortably and we saw that on Saturday.

We have a very capable group here.

Nevertheless, that result has been and gone now. As pleased as we were with the performance on Saturday we must now make sure we are focussed on Billingham Town this evening.

It’s no good putting a display in like we did at the weekend if we don’t follow that up at home tonight.

Last time Billingham came here they came in and snatched three points from under our noses, so we have to be prepared to put in the same levels of desire, commitment and attitude as we did on Saturday.

We’ve made a solid start to the season, and these next few games give us the chance to make it a really good start.

Thanks for the support.

Up the Cliffe.

Billingham have had a tough start to the season but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking this will be an easy game.

Aaron Brown

“WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER AND WORKS LIKE IT DID ON SATURDAY IT’S A GREAT FEELING” www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

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MEET THE SQUAD

YOUR NEWTON AY SPONSORED BY

COLIN

STROMSOY

HEAD COACH Colin joined the football club in January 2019 having previously been part of the Team Northumbria set-up before they withdrew from the league. He has impressed with his wealth of innovative ideas both on and off the pitch. A UEFA A licence coach, Stromsoy guided the club to their highest ever position before the season was brought to an end in March and has brought in a refreshing brand of football to the club.

MARK

SCOTT

WOOD

ASSISTANT Mark is a former club captain who guided the club to successive promotions through the Durham Alliance and Wearside Leagues.

Despite a spell at Crook Town, Wood returned and has been a part of the fabric since whether on the pitch or in some capacity on the training ground. Mark is a key figure around the club.

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BRASSELL

ASSISTANT Alongside Mark, Scott plays a key role at the club and is Colin’s right hand man on the training pitch. Scott has been with Aycliffe for a number of seasons now and has been a part of the huge improvement in the club’s fortunes on the pitch.

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Adam has been with the club for a little over 18 months now having intially joined as an emergency goalkeeper for the injured James Winter. A string of impressive displays and a longer than expected lay off for Winter later and Pickford has now made the No. 1 jersey his own. Don’t be fooled by his size, as Pickford is comfortable with any range of touble he faces.

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Liam is a young goalkeeper who has recently joined the club and ensures Pickford remains on his toes in between the sticks with competition.

Liam is keen to learn and both he and Pickford have a good rapport.

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CONNOR

NICK

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McGRATH

PICKFORD

GREEN

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ADAM

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PHELAN

Nick is a very competent full back and can ply his trade on either side of the back four. Since arriving from Consett last summer, Green has really come into his own in recent months and has established himself as an important player in Colin Stromsoy’s side both defensively and offensively.

The son of ex-Manchester City defender, Terry, Connor was brought to the club by Head Coach Stromsoy and alongside Nick Green ensures we have two very strong options at right fullback. Phelan likes to get forward and help in attack but is no stranger to his defensive duties.

#OneTownOneTeam

Newton Aycliffe FC

CLIFFE 2020-21

OSCAR ECKLEY-ALDSWORTH

AIDAN

McGEE

Oscar is a young centre half signed during the summer with both a look to the future as well as offering strong competition for places already. Oscar has a calm head on such young shoulders and likes to play the ball out and impressed on his Northern League debut when keeping a clean sheet.

AARON

Aidan is a no nonsense centre back and has come on leaps and bounds in his endeavours to make that position his own. Along with Oscar and Sam Read, Aidan finds himself in a healthy battle to keep his spot in the starting XI alongside Aaron Brown in the heart of the defence. Aidan can head the ball and is comfortable playing out from the back.

LEWIS

BROWN

WALTON The skipper. Aaron is the heartblood of Newton Aycliffe having notched up over 250 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2014. A product of Hartlepool United’s academy, Aaron spent a season in Sweden at Ange IF having struggled in spells at West Auckland and Sunderland RCA. An ever present and an integral part of the team and system who can add the odd goal throughout a season.

Lewis arrived at Moore Lane in 2019 having enjoyed spells with Whitley Bay, Darlington and Jarrow Roofing. He enjoyed a successful first season with the club last year and made the left back position his own. A lively character in the dressing room and a brilliant left foot, Lewis is a big part of the squad.

SAM

LUCAS

READ

PILLING Sam is also a recent signing in defence having also joined the club just last summer. Sam is one of a number vying for a spot in the team in defence having arrived from Hebburn Town.

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Like Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth, Lucas is another youthful summer recruit as Colin Stromsoy looks to integrate young players into the squad. Lucas is keen to learn and improve and will only get better the more appearances he makes.

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RYAN

REAY A young exciting midfielder who impressed at Shildon last season.

Ben joins an array of attacking prospects in the Aycliffe line-up with the 18-year-old comfortable across the attacking midfield line. Can link the play and contribute goals from midfield.

REDFORD

Ryan is another handy utility man who will do whatever job is required of him when called upon. Ryan wears his heart on his sleeve and is neat and tidy in possession as well as not being afraid to get stuck in. Can play either in a central or wide midfield role.

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@NAycliffeFC

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MARC

GERARD

COSTELLO

richardson Gerard is another versatile player in the squad and is adept in a number of positions across the midfield. Gez joined Aycliffe in the latter part of the 2018-19 campaign and is renowned for his strength in the air.

The oldest player in the squad, Marc has been with the club for a number of seasons having joined the club from Washington and has a wealth of experience at this level.

‘Cossy’ is the engine room in the midfield and never stops running. Good in the air and not afraid to do the dirty side of the game, every team needs a Marc Costello.

BEN

ETHAN

WOOD

DIBB-FULLER Ethan has been at the club for two years now having signed from Easington Colliery in 2018. The midfielder has developed into a key component in the team; neat and tidy on the ball with an impressive set piece delivery. Ethan has started to contribute goals and man of the match displays to his game making him a good all-rounder.

Signed during the summer to link up once more with the Head Coach, DibbFuller is another technically sound player. Comfortable as a number eight or a 10, ‘Dibbsy’ has a lot of ability between the lines. He joins the club from Hebburn Town after impressing in pre-season.

SAM

JAKE

DIBB-FULLER

PETITJEAN Jake signed for the club in the winter last year after impressing for Crook Town in Division Two. Jake has made the step up a division comfortably and is fast becoming a regular in Stromsoy’s starting XI. A technically gifted player, Jake is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can beat a man and adds to a talented midfield.

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ANDREI-VASILE

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ARRAN

ARDELEAN Following a short spell with Guisborough Town, Andrei joined Colin Stromsoy at Team North in 2017 where he helped them to promotion. Since then he has had spells with Blyth Spartans and Whitley Bay before reuniting with Stromsoy in January this year as part of a newlook Aycliffe frontline.

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The younger of the two DibbFuller’s in the squad, Sam also joined the club in the summer and offers competition for places in both the midfield and attacking areas.

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WEARMOUTH Arran is a new recruit this summer and offers another dynamic to Stromsoy’s attack.

A vastly experienced forward, Arran started his career at Middlesbrough and has had spells with Darlington and Blyth Spartans among others.

Newton Aycliffe FC

LIAM

ADAM

JARVIE

BURNICLE Adam joined the club in January after a shake up in the forward line. Burnicle hit the ground running in style scoring eight goals in his first 10 games with the club to quickly become a favourite at Moore Lane. With spells at Shildon, Morpeth and West Auckland under his belt, Adam is an experienced centre forward who knows where the net is.

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It is difficult to find the definitive date when Newton Aycliffe Football Club was formed. There is evidence of a Newton Aycliffe Rangers in 1951 playing in the Darlington and District League. In 1954-57 there was a NAFC playing in the Auckland and District League, firstly at Sugar Hill sports ground and then Burn Lane sports ground. There then appears to be a gap.

There is a report in the Newtonian in 1965 setting out the Newton Rangers Club was formed in 1961/2 and playing home games in Darlington. A further team, Newton Aycliffe AFC was formed in 1964 as a soccer section of the NA sports club, playing its first season in 1964/5 in the Darlington Weekend League, playing home matches at Simpasture playing fields.

Newton Aycliffe Rangers later played on a pitch near Aycliffe Stock Car Stadium. In 1967/68 The Rangers won the Auckland and District League Division Two Championship (playing home games at

Liam arrived in October last year when he made the jump from the Wearside League with Darlington Town. Jarvie is versatile across the forward line and loves running at defenders with the ball at his feet. A big character in the dressing room and on the pitch.

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Croxdale Welfare). By 1968-69 they had moved to Moore Lane as part of Newton Aycliffe Sports Club and had a reserve team in the Auckland and District League Division Two. 1969 saw Aycliffe Rangers reach the Semi Final of the Durham Challenge Cup, losing to Ferryhill Athletic after beating another Northern League side Stanley United on a very heavy Moore Lane pitch.

In 1969-70 a team named Newton Aycliffe SC played in the Auckland and District League Division One and a reserve team played in Division Two. This team won the League Challenge Cup in both 1969-70 and 70-71.

As Newton Aycliffe FC the team later moved to the Teesside League and joined the Wearside League in 1984 before folding from it during the 1993-94 season.

And although the current club was reformed a number of years ago, competing successfully in the Darlington & District League its re-emergence from 2007-08 was nothing short of phenomenal.

Having smashed their way into the Start To Learn Northern League in emphatic fashion – winning back-to-back league titles; Durham Alliance (2007-08) and the Wearside League (2008-09) – Allan Oliver’s side built on their inaugural campaign at Northern League level by

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@NAycliffeFC

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topping the table for a huge eight months as they finished seven points clear of their nearest rivals in the 2010-11 title race.

The club’s development off the field has been as rapid as that on it, as Moore Lane Park gradually transformed into a ground befitting a club at Step 5 of the National League “pyramid” System – the club averaged 191 attendance in 2009-10, the fifth highest average crowd in the Northern League and 222 in 201011, again bettered by just four teams.

Of course, the club owes a lot to Sedgefield Council’s Local Improvement Programme and the Football Foundation for providing grants to afford the facilities but the football club are also indebted to the support received from Newton Aycliffe Sports Club who continue to be a massive backer and supporter of the club’s transformation.

Seated accommodation was delivered in the spring of 2010 and after the assistance from local firm Finlay Structures and a team of volunteers dedicated to the club, standing accommodation for over 100 persons was installed in February 2011, ready for the club’s transition into a top-flight outfit.

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2015/2016 was the most successful season in Newton Aycliffe’s history.

Under the management of Peter Dixon the highlight was winning the Durham Challenge Cup, but added to that we had our best ever runs in the FA Cup (2nd Qualifying Round Replay) & FA Vase (5th Round-last 16). We also had our highest finish in the Ebac Northern League ending the campaign in sixth.

In December 2016 Deano Browne & a returning Danny Mellanby joined as joint manager, steering the Club to ninth in Division One, following that with a 14th place finish in 2017/2018. For 2018/2019 Danny elected to move to a new role on the club’s committee concentrating on youth development. Andrew Jinks & former skipper Sean Tarling came in as Assistant Managers.

A poor start to the 2018/2019 season brought a change of management with former Team Northumbria manager Colin Stromsoy joining in early 2019.

His input led to an improvement in form which resulted in a 12th place finish in the league. This was developed further with the team sitting fifth in Division One when Covid-19 brought the season to a premature end.

Further works to the ground took place over the summer of 2020. New drains were laid to help reduce the number of postponements due to waterlogging. At the same time a grant from the Great Aycliffe & Middridge Partnership allowed for the resurfacing of the path leading to the ground & the construction of a turnstile.

Newton Aycliffe FC

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CLUB NEWS

NEW COVID-19 MEASURES IN PLACE Since we were last here at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium there have been some new restrictions imposed on us.

Durham and Northumberland FA’s have brought in new measures following consultation with local councils. These measures are a result of the current situation regarding Covid-19 here in the North East.

We are now limited to a spectator capacity of 150. This limit applies across the Ebac Northern League to those teams affiliated to either the Durham or Northumberland FA. We are maintaining our preference for games to be “pay on gate” but we will continue to review the situation as necessary. Please keep an eye on our website www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk for the latest updates of ticketing - look for news articles entitled “Home Games Spectator Arrangements” for all of your ticketing and access queries.

Spectators are now required to wear face coverings when attending matches and within the stadium surroundings. Please ensure that you have a face covering in place as you come through the turnstile and keep it on until you leave the ground - you can, of course, remove the face covering whilst drinking the Bovril on sale from the Bait Cabin.

Spectators need to “check in” to the ground for Track & Trace purposes upon their arrival. The easiest way to do this is to download the NHS Covid-19 app to your phone where you then just need to scan the QR code as you come in. If you don’t have a smartphone, or an older phone that can’t download the app, please give your name and contact details as you enter the ground to one of our club officials.

Once in the ground please observe social distancing measures. Also please queue responsibly at the toilets or Bait Cabin.

While the restrictions may seem onerous they are there for our mutual benefit. We want to continue to play in front of spectators but that can only happen if we continue to act responsibly.

If you have any comments or suggestions on our Covid-19 measures please email our Covid-19 Officer, Yvonne Wood, via info@ newtonaycliffefc.co.uk.

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Newton Aycliffe FC

FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE NORTHERN LEAGUE From Thursday, September 24 all of our clubs are required by law to use the new NHS Covid-19 app.

The new NHS QR poster – specific to each club – has to be displayed. This will help NHS Test and Trace to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

The app is available for spectators to download and we would ask everyone who has a smart phone to use the app so that we can continue to hold matches. Instructions on how to download the NHS-Covid-19 app for both Apple and Android phones are at (it includes the need to turn Bluetooth on): https://covid19.nhs.uk/help-downloading. html Minimum versions for Android and iOS are required: Android version – 6.0 and up with iOS version – 13.5 or later. (Clubs should still retain a paper system to record those spectators who do not or cannot use the app.)

All spectators should wear a face covering when attending a game.

The NHS COVID-19 app has a feature that

allows users to quickly and easily ‘check in’ to a venue by scanning the code. The information stays on the user’s phone. In England, you do not have to ask people who choose to ‘check in’ using the official NHS QR code to provide their contact details. If there is an outbreak associated with a venue, a message will be sent to the relevant app users with the necessary public health advice. This will help to avoid the reintroduction of further lockdown measures.

In addition to maintaining and sharing records where requested and displaying an official NHS QR poster, everyone must also continue to follow other Government guidance to minimise the transmission of COVID-19. This includes maintaining a safe working environment and following social distancing guidelines – here: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/staying-alert-and-safe-socialdistancing/staying-alert-and-safe-socialdistancing-after-4-july And the FA’s guidance is here: https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/sep/10/ updated-covid-19-guidance-for-grassrootsnls-wfp-100920

DIBB-FULLER INJURED Everyone at Newton Aycliffe would like to wish Sam Dibb-Fuller a speedy recovery from injury.

The attacker suffered a serious knee injury in training last week following an innocuous

incident during a practice game.

Sam was treated by club physio Jack Petrozcy and other club officials and the early signs are encouraging for a full recovery. Get well soon, Sam.

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

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THE VISITORS...

INTRODUCING

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illingham Town are the visitors to the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium as they make the journey up the A19 to be with us this evening.

Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Ashington means it has been a winless start to the season for the Teessiders and they arrive looking to move off the bottom of the Ebac Northern League Division One table.

The two side’s shared the spoils last season, each winning the away fixture as Liam McNamara’s goal was enough to secure Aycliffe a victory at Bedford Terrace in October before Billingham edged a five goal thriller at Moore Lane with exNewtonian Craig Hutchinson haunting his old club with two excellent strikes as part of a 3-2 win.

Town entered the 2020-21 campaign on the back of a successful first season at this level last term before its suspension, with Barry Oliver guiding his side to 10th in the Northern League Division One table with 42 points from their 30 matches played.

The summer was spent planting the foundations for the club to progress and build this season with Chairman John Tough and Oliver working together to bring in a number of key signing’s including former striker Daniel Earl.

Billingham midfielder Tom Hinchley will be familiar to most at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium having spent a year in the blue of Aycliffe in 2012.

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MEET THE SQUAD

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Barry Oliver is currently enjoying his second spell with Billingham Town having left the club at the end of 2017 after succeeding Darren Trotter.

Oliver became a firm favourite among supporters at Bedford Terrace overseeing a much improved run of form for the club in 2015 and brought a number of exciting cup runs back to the former Durham Challenge Cup winners.

Since leaving the post, the former Northallerton Town assistant had been involved with the clubs’ developmental programmes assisting Billingham U23’s and was the overwhelming favourite to take over the reins once more in the summer of 2018.

Alongside Paul Edwards, Oliver guided Town to their first ever Northern League Championship in 2019 as they secured their spot in the Northern League Division One where the finished 10th in their first campaign.

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Guilherme Baltazar Daniel Boyle Alex Bruton Leon Carling Nicholas Cranston Christopher Dickinson Connor Dunlavey Daniel Earl Christopher Emms Matthew Frazer Thomas Hinchley

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Cameron Holliday Dale Lee Connor Hudson Oliver James Dominic Joynes Brandon Kirkbride Ashley Lavan Matthew Lovatt Elliott May Clayton McDonald

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Lewis McDonald Stephen Oakley Matthew Osmond Liam Pritchard Josh Smith Alex Snaith Anthony Snook Keaton Sturdy Cameron Wilson Matthew Wilson

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BILLINGHAM TOWN was originally known as Billlingham Social Club and was founded in 1967 by Tom Donnelly and Robbie Cushley. Tom, who played in Town’s first game back in 1968, has been secretary of Billingham Town since its conception until 2000 when he relinquished this post to become chairman of the club and subsequently is now life president.

In 1968 Town joined the Second Division of the Stockton & District League and won the league title at the first attempt, playing at Mill Lane and the legendary slope – the top of the corner flag was level with the crossbar. Town stayed in the Stockton League until 1973 and won the Division A League title three times and the League Cup twice and also winning the Stockton Charity Cup twice.

In 1974 Town were admitted into the Teesside League and remained members for eight years. During this time they won the League twice (1978-79 and 1981-82) and were runners-up once.

In 1975 they were beaten finalists in the Durham Amateur Cup Final, but won the competition in 1976 and 1982.

In 1982 the club took the golden opportunity of joining the newly formed Second Division of the Dryboroughs Northern League and changed its name to Billingham Town. After three years in the Second Division Town gained promotion into the First Division but were immediately relegated back to the Second Division in 1986. However, they bounced straight back in 1987 and lost to neighbours Synthonia in the final of the Durham Challenge Cup a year later. Another relegation followed in 199192, but they regained their place in the top flight in 1997-98 and have remained there since.

After being runners-up in the Durham Challenge Cup in 1988-89 and 2001-02 Town eventually won the cup in season 2003-04 when manager Alan Robinson led them to a 3-1 victory over then UniBond side Bishop Auckland.

Since 1981, ground improvements at the Bedford Terrace ground have resulted in new dressing rooms, a cantilever stand, hard terracing behind one goal, hard terracing and covered accommodation opposite the main stand. A refreshment room and a re-turfed pitch surrounded by an 8ft boundary fence around 5.5. acres of land.

Bedford Terrace is now recognised as having one of the more attractive grounds in the North-East. Floodlights were installed in the 1992-93 season with the official switch-on match against www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

Interim Chairman John Tough Tel: 07540096819 (M) Directors Joh Tough & Neil Martin Company Secretary: Rob Fenby Secretary Ray Morton 22 Beverley Road, Billingham, TS23 3RE Tel: 07866 952211 Email: morton353@hotmail. com Commerical Manager Stephen Durrant Colours Shirts: Blue (Home), Red (Away) Shorts: Blue (Home), Red (Away) Stockings: Blue (Home), Red (Away)

Ground Bedford Terrace, Billingham, Cleveland TS23 4AE Tel: 01642 560800 Head of Medical Harrison Hudson Kit Man Steve Cranston Groundsman Ian Stewart, Keith Tippey & Paul Holyland

@NAycliffeFC

Clubhouse Manager Chris Winn

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Middlesbrough F.C. After sever gales blew down one of the pylons, Town installed new floodlights in 2003.

In the summer of 2007 Hartlepool United invested in Bedford Terrace and completely re-laid the football pitch to a depth of several feet and installed new drainage. The new pitch measurements and now exactly the same measurements of Pool’s Victoria Park. Also behind the scenes there has been a total facelift with new showers and central heating being put in the dressing rooms.

Hartlepool now play the majority of their home Reserve games at Bedford Terrace.

The 2015/16 season saw the arrival of Manager Barry Oliver and assistant Graham Popple whom have brought stability to the club and managed a respectable finish season. The 2016/17 season was one of the clubs most exciting in recent years with an FA Vase run that saw Town knocked by Cleethorpe Town in the 4th Round proper.

The Lincolnshire side went on to make the final only to be beaten by South Shields.

Also that year Craig Hutchinson broke the record for goals scored with a total of 59.

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At the end of the 2017/18 campaign, stalwart of the club and long running Chairman & Secretary, Peter Martin announced his retirement from all club duties. Unfortunately the 2017-18 campaign saw the club rapidly decline off the field with volunteers leaving and attendances dropping dramatically.

In January 2018 the Billingham Town Supporters Trust was set up which worked to oust the regime in charge, eventually taking over the running of the club facilities on 18th February after an EGM of club supporters and volunteers. Paul Beddow was voted in as the new Chairman of the Supporters Trust along with a strong committee behind him.

The new committee immediately set about getting the club back on track which saw many ex-volunteers and supports return and rally around the club.

At the end of the 2017-18 season, Manager James Hunter and his assistant Harry Taylor stood down from their positions, and the

Newton Aycliffe FC

club moved swiftly to appoint familiar face Barry Oliver and ex-Thornaby manager Paul Edwards as a joint management team.

The 2018-19 season was a successful one, exceeding all expectations, with the club earning promotion as League Champions the first title in the Northern League.

2019-20 saw the club establish themselves in the Northern League First Division, working their way to the top half of the table before the season was cut short when the Covid-19 Pandemic saw the season cancelled and the country enter lockdown for 5 months.

The Old Boys

OVER THE years several players who had their start at Billingham Town went on to have careers in the full time game. Pride of place must go to the only one who went on to win international caps, GARY PALLISTER, who did in fact win almost every honour in the game. He joined Middlesbrough in November 1984 from Billingham Town and went on to play 189 games for them, plus seven for Darlington, where he had a loan spell a year after joining Boro. In August 1989 he was sold to Manchester United for £2.3m and over the next nine years, along with Steve Bruce, formed a vital part of the United side that won virtually everything.

In the summer of 1989, after 437 games for United, he was sold back to Middlesbrough for a £200,000 profit. Though he did play 61 games back at Middlesbrough, injuries were taking their toll and it was no surprise when he retired in the summer of 2001.

MARK HINE played for Billingham Town and Whitby Town before being signed

by Grimsby Town in October 1983. Over the next 10 years Mark played 252 games for Grimsby, Darlington, Peterborough, Scunthorpe and Doncaster Rovers. Since leaving the full time game he played with Gateshead, Stalybridge Celtic, Spennymoor and Whitby Town among others, picking England Semi-Pro caps up along the way.

DAVE ROBINSON left Billingham to start his league career at Hartlepool in August 1983, and over the next three years played 66 league games for them before being transferred to Halifax Town. Again he had three years with the club, adding 72 league games to his total. His next move took him to Peterborough where he played 95 league games in what had become his usual three year stay. His league career ended at Notts County where he played just three games in two years.

Two football league clubs actually signed TONY BARRETT from Billingham Town.

Grimsby Town signed him first, but released him after he had played 28 games for them.

He rejoined Billingham, however after a few months Hartlepool United paid £1,000 for his services and he rewarded them with 116 games before moving to York City in March 1989. He went on to play 166 times for York,

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but sadly his last season there was marred by a serious groin injury and he was released in the summer of 1955.

Not quite making the grade was another Town ‘old boy’, TONY HALL. As an 18-yearold he left Town for Tranmere Rovers where he made just one appearance as a substitute.

Two months later he was at Hartlepool and during his time there he again made just one appearance as a sub, and that unfortunately was the end of his football league career.

Ironically, GRAEME HALL, who left Billingham to go to a bigger club never tasted league football. Graeme was signed by Arsenal and though he was sign on pro forms in 1994, he was freed a year later without a first team game. He then spent a season with Barnet, but again failed to make an appearance.

GERRY FORREST played for Southampton and Rotherham and also represented the Saints in veterans, still plays in the Over 40’s league alongside Town old boys Paul

THE FORM GUIDE

WHICKHAM

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Rowntree, George and Gary Woodhouse.

NEAL BISHOP played for Town for a number of years before moving to UniBond sides Gateshead, Spennymoor and Whitby Town.

He then played Conference football with Scarborough before being transferred to York City where he was instrumental in the Minsterman’s campaign in 2006-07, helping them towards the play-offs with some impressive midfield displays. He eventually won the ‘Player’s Player of the Year’ and the ‘Supporters Player of the Year’. After being out of contract with York City in June 2007 he signed for Barnet and immediately stamped his authority on the Barnet midfield with his displays being a central feature of the Bees good start to that season. Neal won England C honours that season and finished up as club captain of Barnett before his transfer to Notts County in the summer of 2009 where he had a successful season finishing in County winning the league and promotion to Division 1.

STOCKTON TOWN

NORTH SHIELDS

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Billingham arrive for tonight’s game without a win or a point in the league this season having lost all four of their opening fixtures after Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Ashington.

Town’s sole win of the season so far came in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round where they won 4-1 at Northallerton Town at the beginning of the month. The Teessiders currently prop up the rest in the Northern League Division One table due to having a worse goal difference than Bishop Auckland. Of the seven games Billingham have played in all competitions this season; six have been away from home with a seventh here tonight at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium. #OneTownOneTeam

Newton Aycliffe FC

ONE TO WATCH

DANNY EARL

Danny Earl returned to Billingham in the summer after a spell with the club early in his career as a teenager.

The striker got off the mark on his second debut in the Emirates FA Cup win at Northallerton Town before netting his second in Saturday’s defeat at Ashington.

Earl has carved out a strong career in the North East enjoying spells Marske United, Guisborough Town and Shildon. During his time with Marske, Earl helped fire his team to the Northern League title before moving onto the Priorymen where he scored 66 goals in two seasons at the King George V Ground. Goals followed him to Dean Street before returning to Teesside with Guisborough once more before returning to Bedford Terrace. Earl is an experienced head at the top end of the pitch for Billingham and one who Aycliffe will need to keep their eye on this evening.

HOW THEY COULD LINE-UP EARL EMMS

BRUTON

LAVAN

BOYLE

HINCHLEY

CARLING

DUNLAVEY

McDonald

OSMOND

McDonald

LAST TIME WE MET January, 2020

NEWTON AYCLIFFE BILLINGHAM TOWN

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It was a frustrating afternoon for Aycliffe who twice surrendered a lead before ultimately losing the game three minutes from time.

Adam Burnicle made his debut for Aycliffe having joined from West Auckland Town to replace Shildon-bound Dean Thexton and he continued where Thexton left off by scoring his first goal for the club inside seven minutes from a Lewis Walton corner.

The lead lasted just nine minutes however as ex-Newtonian, Craig Hutchinson, showed great composure to turn Walton in the area before slotting past Adam Pickford.

Burnicle was on hand to restore the lead for Colin Stromsoy’s men when he converted from the penalty spot on the half hour after the referee adjudged the Billingham centre back to have handled in the area.

But once more Billingham came back with Hutchinson who found the net from range with an excellent half-volley to level to scores at the break.

Burnicle was denied a debut hat-trick midway through the second half when he met Liam Jarvie’s cross but his shot came back off the crossbar.

It would be a miss the hosts would ultimately regret as Dan Flounders ensured all three points would had back to Teesside with three minutes remaining when he diverted an in-swinging freekick beyond the outstretched Pickford.

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Occasions CARDS, CANDLES & GIFTS

52 Beveridge Way, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4DS 01325 320443

MIXING, & MASTERING @TruStudios

www.trustudios.co.uk

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Newton Aycliffe FC

COSTEl100 Marc Costello secured his 100th appearance for Newton Aycliffe in the club’s recent FA Vase success over Barnoldswick Town. We sit down with the Aycliffe midfielder to discuss his achievement, how he might have made it here sooner and what lies ahead.

There’s a drop of perspiration forming on Marc Costello’s head, highlighted by the fading early autumnal sun. He sits back to let out a token sigh of a job complete and looks out onto the cricket field surrounding the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium.

Darlington CC are the visitors as the game winds down to its close. There has been no century of runs during this drawn North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League Division Two match – that was saved for the football field pocketed in the background beyond the foliage where Costello reached his landmark 100th appearance for the club in a 4-0 win in the FA Vase over Barnoldswick Town.

Three years since the midfielder’s arrival from Washington and a raft of changes since, just how does it feel to achieve this milestone?

“Initially I wasn’t aware,” says a smiling Costello. “I think it was Adam [Pickford] who messaged in the players group and said ‘oh do you know it’s your 100th game?’ And then when I got to the game

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obviously Graeme was there and he mentioned it to me because he’s Mr Stat man. “[To get to 100 games] it’s good.

I’m not one of these who’ll go here there and everywhere like a lot in the Northern League. As long as you’re happy then I think you should stay at a club and try and get as many games as possible.

“I should have made it sooner,” he explains. “If I wasn’t as injury prone or if I didn’t get that suspension I’d have been here ages ago, but it’s nice – it’s a good feeling.

It is true Costello might have made his 100th appearance sooner – seven games sooner in fact – had it not been for a ban he picked up early in his Aycliffe career.

The midfielder was dealt a potentially crippling 120 day suspension following an altercation with a referee. Costello and the club felt aggrieved and appealed the decision as they were required to stand in front of a panel with the Durham FA to defend his case. Fortunately for Costello, and Aycliffe, the ruling was overturned and seven games was deemed enough of a punishment.

“It was a lack of judgement on my part,” admits Costello. “But at the same time it was taken way out of context.

“I can’t remember who we were playing, it was when Deano

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[Browne] was in charge but before the game the referee was trying to find excuses to get the game called off with the condition of the pitch among other things.

“But the game went ahead so I think the ref was already ‘in one’ from the start of the game and then just the lack of respect through the game – yes you get it from the players but the referee has a bit of a duty to control it and I remember him shouting and swearing at our goalkeeper at the time Wints [James Winter] and I said to him ‘you can’t do that’ and he was like ‘you don’t tell me what to do’ and from then on he kind of had me in his sights.

“I got a yellow for a pretty nothing challenge – a tackle which had already been made a number of times through the game by other players. Then I’ve dragged someone back and he’s given me another card and he’s shouting at me to get off the pitch.”

Away from the pitch Costello teaches students in the special educational needs department and is familiar with confrontational situations and the demand to remain in control and keep his emotions in check. But on this occasion the renowned cool Costello saw red.

“It was one of the only time’s I’ve lost my temper – I’m a teacher so I’m pretty programmed to keep my cool in situations – and I’ve walked past him and stood on his

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Newton Aycliffe FC

“IT WAS A LACK OF JUDGEMENT ON MY PART...

IT WAS SILLY FROM ME, OF COURSE” www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

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foot and brushed into him with my shoulder.

“Straight away I thought to myself ‘what have you done there.’ So I had the red card but then in his report he noted that I’d stamped on him – which was taken out of context.

“It could have been up to 120 days suspension as it was listed as violent behaviour towards the referee – which is why we appealed it because that was my season done if so.

“But I think they realised the ref had been in the wrong with his behaviour during the game and then with all of the evidence from the witnesses they made the decision to turn it over so I missed the six games I’d already missed up to that point while we sorted the hearing out and then just an additional game for the actual red card.

“It was silly from me, of course, but it wasn’t as bad as was made out.”

Away from suspension Costello has had to compete for large parts of his career with

niggling ankle injuries following a bad injury picked up as a teenager at university where he damaged some of the ligaments in his foot.

It is an injury that can plague a season for the midfielder and one he must be wise to when getting kitted up on a match day.

“It was my first year at university when I used to be a winger back in my youth! I got absolutely cleaned out and got badly injured, but being 19 you think you can continue no problem.

“Then that night, as a first year, was beach night so I went out in my flip flops and sunglasses and everything else and woke up the next day and my ankle was more than twice the size it already was.

“The physio said straight away I’d had ligament damage but because of how the muscle fibres work in that part of the body it meant I’ll probably forever have injuries in that area. So now even if I catch a volley wrong or just overstretch my foot it can lead to me missing a few games.

“I have to manage it,” he says. “It’s better that you miss games where it might mean you’re only out 10 days-two weeks rather than do damage for longer or continuing to play when you’re not at your best. I can play through most injuries like dead legs or things like that but if it’s around my ankle I have to be sensible with it.”

The 33-year-old is the old is the most experienced player in the Aycliffe dressing room and following a youthful summer of recruitment from Head Coach Colin Stromsoy it

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Newton Aycliffe FC

is a testament to his ability on and off the pitch that he remains a mainstay in the Aycliffe midfield.

the ball deep and dictate. The three of us have a really good partnership.

“But we’ve got a lot of really good young players as well; Ben Reay, Lucas [Pilling], Oscar [Eckley-Aldsworth] who are all 17-18 and are going to be good players at this level. It’s a good set-up to be a part of.”

It is a midfield which is showing more than any green shoots of potential. Alongside Ethan Wood and Jake Petitjean, Costello considers himself fortunate to be playing alongside “two of the best young midfielders in the league.”

It is a set-up which has transformed drastically over the past 12 months. At the beginning of last season Aycliffe were spearheaded in attack by the

“Since Colin came in you can tell the difference,” says

“JAKE AND ETHAN ARE UP THERE WITH TWO OF THE BEST YOUNG CENTRE MIDFIELDERS IN THE LEAGUE” Costello. “I’m not knocking any of the previous managers I’ve had here but you can tell the way he does things is massively professional. Everything from training to a match day is set up such as tactics, set pieces defending and attacking.

“We’ve got some good players. I’d say Jake and Ethan are up there with two of the best young centre midfielders in the league -we’ve got a good partnership.

“It was developing last year. Initially, I was told to sit in there while they roamed but they’re both intelligent players on the pitch – although they might not be off the pitch!

“They know when one goes the other needs to sit in and vice-versa. I think Penrith away last year and RCA away were two of the main games where the three of us were interchangeable so it’s not just me sitting in there and I think the start of this year I’ve probably been forward more times than I did in the first half of last season. But I think it’s good for them this way as well to get on

prolific Dean Thexton who fired 19 goals for the club by Christmas.

Thexton would leave the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium for Shildon in January meaning it was back to the drawing board for Stromsoy and Aycliffe but Costello believes things have worked out better for the club since.

“We started well last year but I think truthfully we probably overachieved a little bit before Christmas and then Deano [Thexton] left and we actually ended up being a better team which is strange when you lose your top goal scorer.

“But our front three totally transformed and we looked a really good team and then we’ve added more quality to that in the summer and I think all of us are confident now we can have a good go.”

The early signs are promising for Aycliffe who are unbeaten in their first four Ebac Northern League Division One matches and

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have progressed to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase. The Newtonians recorded their record away win at this level on Saturday when they beat Thornaby 6-0 at Teesdale Park with two of the midfield trio getting on the scoresheet.

“I know Ethan and Jake are the ones scoring the goals out of the three of us, but when I was a bit younger and more of a box to box midfield player I would get double figures,” says Costello. “I’ve said to both of them they should be hitting double figures this season.”

we have our say with each other.

“Azz will have his say with being club captain and then the likes of me and Burnicle, due to our age and experience in the Northern League, will have our little input and it works well. We’re a good, close knit group.”

With the cricket match in front of us drawing to a close and the aches and pains of another 90 minutes of football beginning to settle in, there is still time for Costello to reflect on a landmark achievement and what the future might hold for him and Newton Aycliffe.

“HOPEFULLY BY

THAT TIME WE’VE BEEN PROMOTED”

It is that kind of off the field impetus which makes Costello such an important figure around the club. While Aaron Brown captains the side and will deliver his verdict in the dressing room it is often welcomed when the senior players such as Costello and Adam Burnicle offer their advice.

It is a role Costello is happy to play, and with 100 games in his pocket for Aycliffe a role he believes his teammates respect from him.

“I’ll go around and speak to the lads – I think that’s due to my experience anyway. We don’t have an official vice-captain. Sometimes at half-time Col and Mark [Wood] will wait while

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“To get 100 games is good but I was saying to the lads; I’ve got two years in me so it’ll be interesting to see how close I can get to 200.

“I think 36 sounds about right [to consider stop playing]. I think in terms of my private life as well, me and my girlfriend might look to start a family and obviously you can’t play forever. Hopefully by that time though we’ve been promoted and I’d be playing at the highest level I’ve ever played at as player. To do that at 34-35 would be a good achievement. Fingers crossed.”

Newton Aycliffe FC

AYCLIFF

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# 44 MARCH

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K SS PAR

2020 -APRIL

ISSUE

# 45

JUNE-JULY 2020

TO BE BECOM E THE PL ACE VENUE HAS G, DE AL AYCLIF FE HUB FOR LE ARNIN DURHA M WINS A THRIV ING WORKI NG FAMIL Y FIRM AND INVOL VING MEETI NG CONTR ACT S OF STEEL 12,000 METRE

STILLER FORCE

LOGISTICS FIRM STILLER THE L ATEST TO SIGN UP FOR SPARTA SECURITY SERVICES

SUPPLY & DEMAND

AIR EXPERTS AIM TO CRACK AYCLIFFE MARKET

MAKING HISTORY

PUBLISHERS EXPAND AS THEY MOVE INTO ICONI C BUILDING

MAN OF ACTION

CLASS ACT

THE TEKMAR CHIEF AND HIS INCREDIBLE RISE TO SUCCESS THAT BEGAN AS A SCHOOLBOY ENTREPRENEUR

TO THE TALKS ARRON RKING PETER B BUSINESS MA E AYCLIFF OF MAKING A DE S A DECA SCHOOL ENCE IN DIFFER

COMPLI

MENTAR

Y

COMPLIMENTARY

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

3

R E WIND

A look back on Aycliffe’s latest outings since the last time we were on home soil

Saturday 19 September, 2020 The Beaumont Landscapes Stadium

Phelan 19’ Jarvie 36’ Burnicle 46’ Petitjean 65’ Burnicle

4-0

Pickford Phelan Brown McGee Walton Costello Wood Petitjean Jarvie Reay Burnicle

Subs: McGrath, Eckley-Aldsworth, Pilling, Redford, DibbFuller, Ardelean, Wearmouth

Newton Aycliffe booked their spot in the Second Qualifying Round of the Buildbase FA Vase with a comprehensive victory over Barnoldswick Town on Saturday.

Connor Phelan, Liam Jarvie, Adam Burnicle and Jake Petitjean completed the rout at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium as Colin Stromsoy’s men recorded their second win of the week following Tuesday’s late Northern League win over Newcastle Benfield.

Stromsoy wanted to see more of the same from his side’s display in the second half from Tuesday and take the game to Barnoldswick and he was rewarded when his side took a deserved lead inside 20 minutes

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#OneTownOneTeam

Little Brierley Grice Turner Young Skocki Dale Hill, A Hill, G Knox Ralph

Hill, A

Subs: Barrow, Wood, Holgate, Catlow, Holt

of Saturday’s tie.

Having threatened for much of the opening exchanges Phelan finished smartly from inside the area, placing the ball into the bottom corner of Jack Little’s goal after Ethan Wood’s clever change of play.

The goal allowed the home side to dictate play with confidence and Marc Costello was unfortunate not to cap a wonderful move eight minutes later when Wood again cleverly bypassed the Barnoldswick defence with a cute lobbed pass. Costello beat the onrushing goalkeeper but lifted his shot onto the roof of the net.

Jarvie was unable to sort his feet on the half Newton Aycliffe FC

Credit @ Five Little Boys Photography

hour mark after Lewis Walton’s cross found the attacker at the back post as Aycliffe were the ones who continued to press.

Jarvie didn’t have to wait much longer though as he scored his first goal of the season to double the home side’s advantage five minutes later.

Walton’s throw from the left found Ben Reay who jinked his way between the Barnoldswick midfield and defence before releasing Jarvie and the former Darlington Town man made no mistake this time placing the ball beyond Little at his near post.

Jarvie nearly returned the favour to Reay minutes before half time when he found the midfielder on the edge of the area but Little got down well to his right to gather his snapshot and deny Reay a third goal in as many games.

Having kept Barnoldswick quiet for large periods of the first half, the visitors were perhaps fortunate not to go in at the break a man down after Andrew Hill’s lunge on Walton but referee Matthew Smith opted for a yellow card instead.

Aycliffe took a two goal lead into the interval but that lead was extended inside just 42 seconds of the restart to all but kill the tie.

Wood again involved for Aycliffe as his ball around the corner released Jarvie down the right and his pullback found Burnicle unmarked who managed to roll the ball into the far corner to score his first goal of the season.

The goal did ignite a response from the North West Counties Premier Division side as Zack Dale forced Adam Pickford into a smart stop down to his right from a close range volley.

Bradley Knox headed over for the visitors just before the hour mark as Aycliffe failed to clear their lines from a corner.

But it was the hosts who found the target again with Petitjean sticking a leg out at the back post to divert Jarvie’s cross into an almost empty net to seal a comfortable day for Aycliffe and secure their passage into the next round of the Vase.

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

35

R E WIND

A look back on Aycliffe’s latest outings since the last time we were on home soil

Saturday 26 September, 2020 Teesdale Park

0-6

Konstantopoulos Flounders Drummond Poole Roddam Gardner Kenny Hopson Beddow Murphy Hannah

Pickford Phelan Brown McGee Pilling Costello Wood Petitjean Jarvie Reay Burnicle

Jarvie Petitjean Wood Burnicle

2’ 6’ 82’ 12’ 21’ 28’

Costello Brown

Subs: Green, Redford, Dibb-Fuller, Ardelean, Wearmouth

Newton Aycliffe were unplayable at times as they registered their highest ever away win in the Northern League at Thornaby.

Five goals inside a 30 minute first half blitz put Aycliffe on course for a win which never looked in doubt before Jake Petitjean added a sixth with his second of the game in the second half.

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weekend’s 4-0 win over Barnoldswick Town in the FA Vase.

And they picked up where they left off with Jarvie slotting the ball between Dimitrios Konstantopoulos’ legs with a little over 60 seconds on the clock after good work by Pilling and Ben Reay.

Adam Burnicle also bagged a brace with Liam Jarvie and Ethan Wood completing the rout as Aycliffe moved up to fourth in the table to keep up with the early pace setters.

The hosts almost hit back immediately when Dale Hopson forced Pickford into a good save with Aaron Brown on hand to divert the rebound away with what happened next being simply breath taking.

Lucas Pilling replaced the injured Lewis Walton at full back in an otherwise unchanged starting line-up from last

Brown and Reay exchanged a neat onetwo before Reay teed up Petitjean who fizzed an effort from 20 yards beyond

#OneTownOneTeam

Newton Aycliffe FC

Konstantopoulos into the top corner as Aycliffe moved up through the gears.

Two became three in the 12th minute when Reay once more applied pressure to the Thornaby backline with a high press and was able to win the ball and release Wood who stroked the ball into the bottom corner.

Jarvie was a whisker away from making it four minutes later when his curling effort just went past the far post.

But it was Jarvie involved once more five minutes later when he wriggled through the defence into the area and was brought down leaving the referee little option but to point to the spot.

Burnicle stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way to open his league account for the season and make it 4-0.

The striker doubled his tally in the 28th minute to cap a five star opening half an hour with arguably the goal of the game

when he bent the ball superbly with the outside of his boot into the top corner of Konstantopoulos’ net once more.

Aycliffe were in dreamland at the interval with the hosts shell shocked.

Ben Dibb-Fuller was introduced for the excellent Reay early in the second half as Aycliffe kept their foot on the pedal.

Burnicle was close to completing his hat-trick just after the hour mark when he raced clear of the Thornaby defence but the keeper saved with his legs to deny him.

With the game fizzling out and Aycliffe looking to secure a clean sheet, there was still time for that elusive sixth goal as Connor Phelan slid an excellent ball through to Petitjean.

With only the goalkeeper to beat, the midfielder elegantly lifted the ball over his head to seal a memorable afternoon for the club.

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

37

STAT PACK 2020-21 FIXTURE

COMP VENUE

NL1 NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE FAC EMIRATES FA CUP FAV BUILDBASE FA VASE

KEY 1

2

3

4

5

6

DATE

RESULT

Guisborough Town North Shields

FAC

A

Sep 2

1-0

PICKFORD

GREEN

BROWN

McGEE

WALTON

COSTELLO

NL1

A

Sep 5

0-0

PICKFORD

GREEN

BROWN

WALTON

COSTELLO

Shildon

NL1

H

Sep 12

0-0

PICKFORD

GREEN

BROWN

ECKLEYALDSWORTH ECKLEYALDSWORTH

WALTON

COSTELLO

Newcastle Benfield Barnoldswick Town Thornaby

NL1

H

Sep 15

3-2

PICKFORD

PHELAN

BROWN

McGEE

PILLING

COSTELLO

FAV

H

Sep 19

4-0

PICKFORD

PHELAN

BROWN

McGEE

WALTON

COSTELLO

NL1

A

Sep 26

6-0

PICKFORD

PHELAN

BROWN

McGEE

PILLING

COSTELLO

Billingham Town Seaham Red Star Guisborough Town Billingham Synthonia Northallerton Town West Auckland Town Whitley Bay

NL1

H

Sep 29

NL1

A

Oct 3

NL1

A

Oct 7

FAV

H

Oct 10

NL1

A

Oct 14

NL1

A

Oct 17

NL1

A

Oct 20

Whickham

NL1

H

Oct 24

Consett

NL1

H

Oct 27

Bishop Auckland Ryhope CW

NL1

H

Nov 7

NL1

A

Nov 14

Hebburn Town Stockton Town Thornaby

NL1

H

Nov 17

NL1

A

Nov 21

NL1

H

Nov 28

Penrith

NL1

A

Dec 5

Ashington

NL1

H

Dec 12

Sunderland RCA West Auckland Town Whickham

NL1

A

Dec 19

NL1

H

Dec 26

NL1

A

Jan 2

Newcastle Benfield Whitley Bay

NL1

A

Jan 9

NL1

H

Jan 16

Billingham Town Guisborough Town Hebburn Town Northallerton Town Consett

NL1

A

Jan 23

NL1

H

Jan 30

NL1

A

Feb 6

NL1

H

Feb 13

NL1

A

Feb 20

Seaham Red Star Shildon

NL1

H

Feb 27

NL1

A

Mar 6

North Shields

NL1

H

Mar 13

Bishop Auckland Ryhope CW

NL1

A

Mar 20

NL1

H

Mar 27

Stockton Town Penrith

NL1

H

Apr 3

NL1

H

Apr 17

Ashington

NL1

A

Apr 24

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#OneTownOneTeam

Newton Aycliffe FC

YELLOW CARD RED CARD

WIN LOSE DRAW

7

8

WOOD WOOD

S1 SUB ONE S2 SUB TWO S3 SUB THREE

MAN OF THE MATCH GOAL SCORED ASSIST

9

10

11

S1

S2

S3

PETITJEAN

JARVIE

BURNICLE

WEARMOUTH

ARDELEAN

DIBB-FULLER

REDFORD

PETITJEAN

ARDELEAN

BURNICLE

WEARMOUTH

JARVIE

PHELAN

DIBB-FULLER

WOOD

PETITJEAN

REAY

JARVIE

ARDELEAN

REDFORD

PHELAN

BURNICLE

WOOD

PETITJEAN

DIBB-FULLER

BURNICLE

WEARMOUTH

JARVIE

REAY

ARDELEAN

WOOD

PETITJEAN

REAY

JARVIE

BURNICLE

PILLING

DIBB-FULLER

REDFORD

WOOD

PETITJEAN

REAY

JARVIE

BURNICLE

DIBB-FULLER

ARDELEAN

WEARMOUTH

RESULTS, STANDINGS & FIXTURES Saturday 26 September Ashington Bishop Auckland Newcastle Benfield North Shields Penrith Stockton Town Sunderland RCA Whickham Thornaby

4-1

Billingham Town Seaham Red 0-2 Star 3-1 Ryhope CW

2-1

Shildon

2-4 Guisborough Town

5-1 Northallerton Town

2-3 Whitley Bay 2-3

West Auckland Town

0-6

Newton Aycliffe

DIVISION ONE 1 North Shields 2 Hebburn Town 3 Newcastle Benfield 4 Newton Aycliffe 5 Stockton Town 6 Shildon 7 Guisborough Town 8 Whickham 9 Northallerton Town 10 Consett 11 Whitley Bay 12 Ashington 13 Thornaby 14 Seaham Red Star 15 Ryhope CW 16 Sunderland RCA 17 West Auckland Town 18 Penrith 19 Bishop Auckland 20 Billingham Town

P 5 4 5 4 5 5 5 6 5 2 2 5 4 6 3 3 5 4 4 4

+/- Pts

+8 13 +11 12 +2 9 +7 8 +6 8 +5 7 +2 7 0 7 -5 7 +5 6 +2 6 0 6 -5 6 -8 5 0 4 0 4 -12 4 -5 3 -5 0 -8 0

Tuesday 29 September Ashington

v

Ryhope CW

Consett

v

Shildon

v

West Auckland Town

Newton Aycliffe Sunderland RCA

v v

Seaham Red Star Billingham Town Penrith

Wednesday 30 September

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

Thornaby

v

North Shields Whickham

v

Bishop Auckland Stockton Town

v

v v

Newcastle Benfield Hebburn Town Northallerton Town Guisborough Town Whitley Bay

39

MOORE LANE MEMORIES Paul McGeary joined Newton Aycliffe’s media team in 2008 ahead of what was to become the most exciting time in the club’s history as the Newtonians embarked on their rise to the Northern League. In seven years with the club, Paul fostered many memories as the club established itself as a mainstay in the league. In this regular column, Paul will look back down memory lane, recounting memorable matches, players and supporters alike…

BILLINGHAM TOW N Saturday 29 September, 2012. Arguably the darkest day to date in our then short Northern League history. Many will debate that there have been darker since, but as a barometer, that late summer day eight years ago sticks long in my memory, and will do so for many readers this evening.

Having finished in the top 10 in our inaugural season in the top division much was expected of us again, but for some reason we got things catastrophically wrong that campaign which almost resulted in relegation, but for a late April surge which saw us narrowly avoid the drop.

We’d lost eight of our opening 10 games and had already been drubbed by seven, six, five and four goals along the way. Despite retaining the likes of Scott Pocklington, Daz Craddock, Mark Peck, Kris Hughes, Josh Knox, Stuart Owen, Sean Tarling and Fred Woodhouse, Allan had also

40

#OneTownOneTeam

added exciting talent from the Stockton area with the likes of Danny Earl, Tom Hinchley and ex-Darlington winger Danny Lambert.

It beggars belief that this team was languishing bottom of the table.

Likewise, the goals of Jamie Owens should have safely seen Billingham above their lowly berth. 24th hosted 23rd where something had to give – and it did!

Already 2-0 down, Aycliffe failed to defend a long ball forward which sent Nicky Martin in the clear. Scotty raced from his line in customary fashion and was adjudged to have felled Town’s pocket-sized striker. Red card. Allan was renowned for not carrying a goalkeeper on the bench, but he did that day with 17-year-old Ryan Farley named amongst the subs. Farley’s first touch of the ball in Northern League football was to save Owens’ penalty – a turning point perhaps?

Newton Aycliffe FC

The euphoria of the last month of that season almost wipes out the memories of the previous nine, but for me, I’ll never forget that September afternoon.

Let’s hope nothing similar happens this evening.

Familiar Faces

Things however snowballed from there and the turning point never came. It’s an afternoon I doubt young Ryan wants reminding of as we got thumped 8-0, despite his penalty save. Funnily, but for Farley, the game would’ve finished 15-0, as Aycliffe surrendered.

Everyone associated with the club embarrassed beyond belief. Expenses packages withheld. Not a player to be seen in the bar at 5pm. Resignations threatened, transfer requests submitted.

The club had reached breaking point for the first time having ridden the crest of a wave for so long.

A huge repair job was now required.

Allan always said that if the club went down to the Second Division, he doubts it would ever recover. Aycliffe needed to maintain First Division football.

The return of injured pair John Close and Paul Broom, coupled with the signing of Vase winning full-back Stephen Gibson added some much-needed stability and familiarity to the Newtonian line-up, as Oliver’s men slowly climbed their way to freedom, eventually finishing 17th.

Current Town midfielder Tom Hinchley had one season with Aycliffe back in 2012, as did Christian Selby and full back Paul Harvey, while perennial goalscorer Jamie Owens finished as the league’s top scorer in the colours of both teams - as he has gone on to do so for both Shildon and Stockton Town similarly.

Pocklington had a couple of games for the Teessiders a year or two ago but it’s fellow goalkeeper Dan Molyneux that this column fondly remembers.

Former Darlington goalkeeper Mol was a class act, on and off the field. When Scott left for Bishop, Allan needed a trusty pair of hands and he got them in Mol. Often criticised for his lack of height, Dan made up for it in every other area. He slotted seamlessly into the dressing room and even held coaching sessions.

A horrific accidental challenge up at Tow Law one night would not only end Mol’s Aycliffe career, but it put the brakes firmly on his Northern League one too – a mark of the man knowing that this close shave was one too many.

Enjoy tonight’s game.

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

Paul McGeary

@NAycliffeFC

41

CHAMP

10NS

A decade ago Newton Aycliffe were embarking on a journey that would live long in the memory of every Newtonian as the club smashed its way to the STL Northern League Division Two championship. Winning an extraordinary 30 of their 38 matches and amassing a whopping 95 points, Allan Oliver’s men secured their place in the Northern League First Division in just their second season at Northern League level.

In this feature series we are going to look back and celebrate an historic season a decade on by revisiting games, goals and stories as told by the players and staff involved, with tonight’s guest; club legend and title winning captain Sean Tarling...

What are your memories of that 10-11 season?

It was one of the most memorable years I had not only in football, but in my life. In the February [2010] I became a father for the first time when we welcomed a beautiful little girl into our lives but, as you can imagine, pre-season was tough with a lack of sleep and Mr Gary Farley putting us through our paces was the last thing I needed to be honest!

I remember pre-season being quite a mixed bag though. We’d had a great first season in the Northern League finishing ninth in which we played some great football and basically picked up where we left off the season before when claiming promotion from the Wearside League.

To finish top 10 in our first season was a great success for the club.

For me personally, looking back now has to be one of the best season’s I’ve had in the Northern League. I was given the captaincy a few games into the season due to Paul Stout unfortunately getting injured. It was an absolute honour to captain my home town club - something I managed to do for a number of years after this success story.

We had such a great togetherness, local lads from the town who loved the club and were committed to what Allan [Oliver] and the committee were trying to do and that makes a huge difference.

We won together but we also lost together (although not very much in the 2010-11 season).

I was very fortunate that season to play over 40 games and have no injuries - if I did have any

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#OneTownOneTeam

knocks, I played through it. I knew how strong the squad was and every one of us wanted that shirt on a Saturday afternoon. You played well, you kept it. That was always Allan’s message.

It was just a season that I will never forget. The craic was unbelievable on and off the pitch and for me that was very important. There were games in the season where we really had to dig deep and without the togetherness we had we would not have won or drawn some of those games and finished where we did.

It must have been great, as captain, to win the league with the club?

To play for your home town club was an honour, to captain your home town club was an absolute privilege but to play, captain and win the Northern League was unbelievable. I got married in July 2011, so when we won the league that year and got promoted, when we collected the trophy and had the presentation night it was like a mini stag do. Some might have called it #BEERCLUB. It was an honour to say the least.

What was the atmosphere in the dressing room like that season?

The atmosphere in the changing room was always upbeat. We had the likes of Danny Mellanby, Paul Stout, Stuey Owen (Ratboy) and the Mad Monk Scott Pocklington in the squad. It was never a dull day on match day or in training.

But not only did we have the players, atmosphere and the banter, we also had Mr Frankie Swinburne who was an absolute legend and always will be.

Frankie looked after the lads week in, week out Newton Aycliffe FC

and the season we won the league it really was for him. He was with us every step of the way that season.

How long into the season was it when you realised you had a chance to win it?

I’m not sure I ever really thought about it. I do remember a turning point for us as a team however; we’d had some mixed results in the early games including against Guisborough who have and will continue to be Newton Aycliffe’s bogey team.

We got beat 2-3 at home and then the following week we played them again and drew 2-2 and I knew then that if we were to get out of the league it would be Guisborough fighting it out with us so it gave us a team to judge ourselves against and we came out on top in the end.

Are there any games/goals that stand out?

I often like to remember playing Whitley Bay away - we won the game 1-4. It was always a tough game playing Whitley Bay, they’ve always been a very organised side. But that day we outclassed them from start to finish and as a player it’s always nice to get on the score sheet and I think the lads are still sick of me talking about that goal now. I

won’t go into to much detail about it, but it was one of my best efforts - I’m sure Paul McGeary can mention it in his column though at some stage!

Can you believe it’s been 10 Years?

Not at all. It really does show you how quick time goes by. Looking back now we were a group of home-grown local lads who loved playing football, had great togetherness, loved a pint and were mates. Simple as that. We were very fortunate to experience what we did with our friends because that is exactly how it was. We were playing home games in front of 300-400 plus every other week beating teams such as Morpeth, Whitley Bay, Hebburn and Marske United very comfortably.

To say it’s been 10 years since we did what we did is unbelievable.

The commitment that Allan [Oliver] continues to give the football club is a different level - without him the club does not exist. For me personally, as the boots are currently perched on two hooks, I loved my time with the club and would give anything to roll back 5-10 years to do it all again. We conquered what we set out to do that season and we celebrated that success for about 12 months after!

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

43

NEXT UP...

SEAHAM RED STAR Saturday, October 3 Kick Off: 15.00 The Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium Saturday sees us travel North East as we head to the Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium to take on Mark Collingwood’s Seaham Red Star in the Ebac Northern League Division One. Tickets are available via Seaham Red Star’s website and social media channel but be sure to check our club website www. newtonaycliffefc.co.uk for further updates ahead of Saturday’s game.

The ground is located at Seaham Town Park, Stockton Road, Seaham , County Durham.

SR7 0HP, UK just off the A19

COMING SOON...

44

Wednesday, October 6 19.45 AWAY

Saturday, October 10 15.00 HOME

#OneTownOneTeam

Wednesday, October 14 19.30 AWAY

Newton Aycliffe FC

www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk

@NAycliffeFC

3

HEAD COACH: Colin Stromsoy Adam PICKFORD Liam McGRATH Connor PHELAN Nick GREEN Aaron BROWN Aidan McGEE Oscar ECKLEY-ALDSWORTH Lucas PILLING Sam READ Lewis WALTON Sam DIBB-FULLER Ryan REDFORD Gerard RICHARDSON Ben REAY Jake PETITJEAN Ethan WOOD Marc COSTELLO Ben DIBB-FULLER Andrei-Vasile ARDELEAN Liam JARVIE Arran WEARMOUTH Adam BURNICLE

MANAGER: Barry Oliver Guilherme Baltazar Daniel Boyle Alex BRUTON Leon CARLING Nicholas Cranston Christopher Dickinson Connor Dunlavey Daniel EARL Christopher Emms Matthew Frazer Thomas Hinchley Cameron Holliday Dale LEE Connor Hudson Oliver James Dominic Joynes Brandon Kirkbride Ashley Lavan Matthew Lovatt Elliott May Clayton McDonald Lewis McDonald Stephen Oakley Matthew Osmond Liam Pritchard Josh Smith Alex Snaith Anthony Snook Keaton Sturdy Cameron Wilson Matthew Wilson