Ossett United vs Dunston

SSETT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

INGFIELD, PROSPECT ROAD, OSSETT, WF5 9HL

CLUB PRESIDENT: NEVILLE WIGGLESWORTH

CHAIRMAN: JAMES ROGERS

VICE-CHAIRMAN: PHIL SMITH

SECRETARY: NEIL SPOFFORTH

TREASURER: PAUL BILLING

BOARD MEMBERS: LEE BROADBENT, STUART GARSIDE, JOE HANKS, STEVE HANKS,

KATE HENNIGHAN, DAWN ROGERS

MANAGER: GRANT BLACK

ASSISTANT MANAGER: DAVID BROWN

COACH: ZEPH THOMAS, RYAN PUGH,

SCOUT: GARY DEVENPORT

MEDICAL TEAM: EMILY CRISPIN

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING OFFICER: KATE HENNIGHAN

HEAD OF MEDIA: CRAIG BIDDLESTONE

MEDIA TEAM: MATT BLACKBURN, CHRIS CASSIDY, HARRISON CARPENTER,

OWEN GERRARD, JAMES GOTHARD, KEITH WOOD

PROGRAMME DESIGN: JOSEPH WILLIAMSON

CLUB HONOURS

(OSSETT UNITED, OSSETT TOWN, OSSETT ALBION )

WEST RIDING COUNTY SENIOR CUP

WINNERS: 1949/50

WEST RIDING COUNTY CUP

WINNERS: 1958/59, 1964/65, 1965/66, 1967/68, 1981/82, 1998/99, 2018/19

RUNNERS UP: 2000/01

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

RUNNERS UP: 2001/02

PLAY-OFF RUNNERS UP: 2016/17

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST PREMIER DIVISION

WINNERS: 1998/99, 2003/04

RUNNERS UP: 1998/99, 2000/01

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST FIRST DIVISION

WINNERS: 1986/87

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST SECOND DIVISION

WINNERS: 1988/89

Welcome to Ingfield for today’s Pitching In NPL East game with Dunston, who will have been delighted with their opening day victory against Bridlington Town. Dunston have been consistent over recent years and with two sixth placed league finishes have been very close to the play-offs. They will prove a good test of our own credentials today as we look to challenge for a similar place in the table that Dunston have enjoyed.

There is never an easy game, either home or away, against sides who have plied their trade in the Northern Leagues. After we host Wytenshawe in the FA Cup on Saturday we face two more stiff tests at Ashington a week today then against Stockton Town the following Saturday, so you can guarantee before the month is out we will have a very good idea as to the strength of our own squad for the season ahead.

JAMES ROGERS,CHAIRMAN

Northwich followed by Saturday’s defeat at Sheffield. The old adage of not getting too high when you win nor low when you lose is definitely one to take on board I believe. We played some good stuff against both sides, with small margins in both games affecting the results.

Grant, despite being disappointed with the result at Sheffield, was able to take positives from the performance with some good attacking play, particularly in the second half, just lacking a little bit of clinical finishing. There were several players making their debuts and while there is already a strong bond off the field, it will take a few games to properly click as they get used to the way each other play.

I hope you enjoy your evening at Ingfield and here’s to a positive result!

James

Ahead of today we have played two competitive games so far with an excellent FA Cup win over 1874

THE P

I have been immersed in Non League football in Ossett for over 40 years and for much of that time one of my genuine passions has been to involve myself (technical knowledge permitting) in ground development issues. At the end of most seasons myself, John Hirst and Stuart Garside have gone around the football ground, formerly at Ossett Albion’s Dimple Wells home and more recently Ossett United’s Ingfield complex, identifying any areas of the infrastructure that require attention. This task has seen us draw up a ‘wish-list’ of possible new developments alongside all maintenance work that we feel could do with a freshen-up!

As I’ve talked about on a number of occasions in these notes before, ground grading is a vital and integral element of participation in football within the National League System. Failure to adhere to requirements within a club’s facilities can have devastating consequences as North Shields, Skelmersdale United, Yorkshire Amateur and Hemsworth Miners Welfare will readily testify as all have suffered relegation as a result of deficiencies at their respective

homes. I also note again that when it comes to football grounds it is not possible to stand still and settle for what you’ve got. Stagnation almost inevitably leads to deterioration which creates additional stress when the joint FA/NPL ground grading committee conduct their regular ground inspections.

Last May we carried out this formality as per usual and came up with the longest and most comprehensive list of ‘jobs to do’ that we have ever compiled. Looking at what we had identified back then was daunting in the extreme. One or two possibilities had to be immediately ruled out on the grounds of cost but the remaining targets on the list was still challenging to say the very least. With our new season starting with the FA Cup tie against 1874 Northwich just over a week ago I can look back on what has been achieved during the close season with (a) some surprise and (b) an immense sense of satisfaction.

It is fair to say that in all such lists we have drawn up over the years we have never achieved anywhere near as much as we have this time between the end of the last campaign and the beginning of the new one. That this has been the case is due in the main to the quite remarkable help we have been

THE P

fortunate in obtaining from this Club’s outstanding body of volunteer helpers. No fewer than 20 of our members have given up their time freely and willingly by coming along, mainly but not exclusively on Saturday mornings, to assist. Some have possessed specialist expertise and others with just a desire to get involved for the benefit of Ossett United. All the jobs large and small that have been carried out are for the betterment of our Club and Ingfield, I would suggest Ingfield is becoming a ground to be proud of and certainly one of the better facilities at Step 4 Level.

Projects completed make impressive reading. The new dressing room block is ‘work-inprogress’ but jobs also ticked off the list include:- new laundry roof, refurbishment of the café to comply with Food Hygiene requirement and regulations, refurbishment of the covered accommodation on the far side of the ground, relocation of the medical room and manager’s office, refurbishment of both the ladies and gents toilets (in Club colours no less!), roof repairs to the toilet block, new serving counter in the hospitality room, painting the edgings of the terracing, steps etc., reparation to the front of the toilet block, attending to leaks in the main stand roof, painting of the disabled cover and surrounding

barriers, painting in the Peter Mountain stand, clearance of loose material from under the pitch perimeter barrier, demolition of the stand adjacent to the changing rooms, relocation of offices, replacement of the old and rotting decking in front of the laundry block, renovation of damaged panels and fascias to the shop/can bar building.

I should, at this point, mention by name all those who have played their part in these improvements but the limits of space and more importantly the fear of inadvertently missing someone out steer me away from doing so. Believe me everyone who has helped is highly valued and appreciated and your efforts are never taken for granted. Thanks again to all those who have played their part in making sure this Club doesn’t stagnate and remains committed to providing the best facilities possible for our supporters on match days. Trevor Lockwood’s generosity regarding a donation to a ‘drinks kitty’ was important in enabling us to thank our volunteers in a small way at our last home match. To a man though, all said they didn’t volunteer for any kind of reward but simply to help the Club!

THE DUGOUT

GRANT BLACK -MANAGER

On to tonight and the games ahead, as we showed here with the excellent performance against 1874 Northwich, the group has plenty of potential.

Good Evening and welcome home to Ingfield. Myself and the team are itching to get back to winning ways following Saturday’s reverse at Sheffield FC.

I felt we played well in parts at the weekend, creating some good chances that we could have done better with. We were also unfortunate as a clear foul on Harry wasn’t spotted in the build-up to one of their goals.

It’s important to note that, on the whole, they’re very young and will need time to adjust to the level they’re now playing at. I know that if we give them that time, we will reap the rewards over the course of the season.

As always, enjoy tonight’s game and get behind the lads. We appreciate your support.

Blackie

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

HARRY COATES -CAPTAIN

I’d like to thank all the fans and volunteers that have supported Ossett during preseason and in our first two games so far.

We set our high standards early with a brilliant FA cup performance which saw us comfortably progress through to the next round.

Unfortunately in the first league game we fell short of those standards until the second half. Luckily in this league the games come thick and fast and we will be looking to put things right on the pitch and pick up our first points of the season tonight.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the game and thanks from myself and the lads for your continued support!

Harry

Juice Personnel are an independent recruitment agency based in Wakefield. We were founded in 2003 in Huddersfield with the knowledge that things could be done differently. This led us to adopt what we called our ‘refreshingly different’ approach. This radical new approach to recruitment was based around our core values of mutual understanding, honesty, integrity and quality.

From day one we had a policy to constantly review how we worked. Because of this dedication to self-improvement and our refreshing, personal approach to recruitment we saw a client and candidate loyalty that we’ve never experienced before and quickly outgrew our small office.

Skip forward a few years and we still hold fast to the same morals we started with: mutual understanding, honesty, integrity and quality Because of our unwavering dedication to client and candidate satisfaction Juice Personnel are now seen as one of the leading independent recruiters in Wakefield.

OSSETT UNITED OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER

Player’s Number Sponsor

Number 1 Stanley Kelly

Number 2 The Scottish Supporters Club

BACKROOM STAFF

GRANT BLACK – MANAGER

2023/24 WILL BE GRANT’S FIRST FULL SEASON AS OSSETT UNITED MANAGER HAVING JOINED IN OCTOBER 2022 AND OVER SEEING A RE-BUILD OF THE FIRST TEAM SQUAD. GRANT HAS SEEN SUCCESS AT OSSETT TOWN IN HIS FIRST MANAGERIAL ROLE BEFORE ENHANCING HIS REPUTATION BELPER TOWN WHERE HELED THE SIDE TO PROMOTION TO STEP THREE AND AN FA CUP FIRST ROUND MEETING WITH NOTTS COUNTY.

DAVID BROWN – PLAYER/ASSISTANT MANAGER

BROWNIE HAS STEPPED UP FROM A COACHING ROLE TO BECOME ASSISTANT MANAGER THIS SEASON AS HIS OFF-FIELD REPUTATION CONTINUES TO GROW WITH A VARIETY OF INNOVATIVE TRAINING SESSIONS KEEP THE PLAYERS ON THEIR TOES. A REGULAR GOAL SCORER THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE WILL LOOK TO ENHANCE THE SIDE ON THE FIELD WHEN CALLED UPON TOO.

RYAN PUGH – GOALKEEPING COACH

RYAN’S PLAYING CAREER SAW HIM FEATURE FOR GOOLE, NEW MILLS, MATLOCK TOWN AND A FAMOUS SPELL AT OSSETT ALBION FONDLY REMEMBERED BY OSSETT TOWN FANS AFTER ONE PARTICULAR OSSETT DERBY (ASK HIM, HE LOVES TALKING ABOUT IT…) PUGHY JOINED GRANT’S BACK-ROOM STAFF AT BELPER TOWN AND HAS PROVEN POPULAR WITH GOALKEEPERS HE HAS WORKED WITH, PUSHING THEM TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE.

ZEPH THOMAS – PLAYER/COACH

ZEPH IS TAKING HIS FIRST STEPS INTO COACHING HAVING HAD A PLAYING CAREER THAT HAS TAKEN HIM TO AMERICA, BELGIUM AND SCOTLAND AS WELL AS 20 APPEARANCES FOR THE SAINT KITTS & NEVIS INTERNATIONAL SIDE. VASTLY EXPERIENCED IN THE NON-LEAGUE GAME, ZEPH WILL BRING A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE TO THE MANAGEMENT TEAM.

EMILY CRISPIN – SPORTS THERAPIST

EMILY IS NOW IN HER FOURTH SEASON WITH THE CLUB AND WORKING UNDER A THIRD MANAGEMENT TEAM SHOWS HOW VALUED SHE IS IN THE DRESSING ROOM ENSURING THE SIDE ARE FULLY PREPARED FOR THE GAME AHEAD.

BACKROOM STAFF

GARY DEVENPORT - SCOUT

DEV WILL SPEND HIS TIME ASSESSING UPCOMING OPPONENTS AND POTENTIAL NEW SIGNINGS THIS SEASON. A KEY ROLE TO THE MANAGEMENT TEAM AS THEY PREPARE THE SIDE AHEAD OF GAMES AS WELL AS ANALYSING VIDEOS OF GAMES. HE WILL BE KNOWN TO MANY SUPPORTERS AS A HOST OF THE FORMER LEEDS UNITED PODCAST ‘TALKING SHUTT’

PLAYERS

JOE GREEN - GOALKEEPER

FORMER GUISELEY, NEWPORT COUNTY AND HYDE UNITED GOALKEEPER, JOE IS STRONG IN STATURE, AN EXCELLENT SHOT STOPPER AND HIS DISTRIBUTION OF THE BALL WILL BE A HUGE ASSET THIS SEASON. JOE MADE HIS PROFESSIONAL DEBUT FOR NEWPORT COUNTY IN THE FA CUP 3RD ROUND AGAINST BLACKBURN ROVERS.

SPONSORED BY THE HANKS FAMILY

JACOB MCLOUGHLIN – DEFENDER

SIGNED IN THE SUMMER OF 2023 HAVING IMPRESSED IN THE FRIENDLIES. STRONG AT THE BACK AND HAS THE ABILITY TO STEP INTO THE MIDFIELD WITH THE BALL TO START ATTACKS, HE WAS MOST RECENTLY AT YORK CITY.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

PADDY MILLER – DEFENDER

PADDY SURPRISED THE NON-LEAGUE WORLD AS HE CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT LAST SEASON TO RETURN TO THE FIELD RE-IGNITING A DEFENSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH HARRY COATES WHICH PROVED SUCCESSFUL AT BOTH HYDE UNITED AND TADCASTER ALBION. PADDY ADDS EXPERIENCE AND A SENSE OF CALM TO ANY SIDE HE IS PART OF.

SPONSORED BY JP NUGENT LTD PLUMBING AND HEATING

EESA NDOW – DEFENDER

FORMER BARNSLEY AND TADCASTER ALBION PLAYER, COMFORTABLE ON THE BALL AND STRONG IN 1V1 SITUATIONS, NDOW IMPRESSED DURING PRE-SEASON TO EARN A DEAL AT THE CLUB FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

JAYDEN JOHN - DEFENDER

A NATURAL LEFT-BACK, JAYDEN IS COMFORTABLE ANYWHERE DOWN THE LEFT SIDE AND COUNTS GUISELEY AND DOVER ATHLETIC AMONGST HIS FORMER CLUBS. HIS IS QUICK, STRONG AND HAS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES YOU’D EXPECT FROM A MODERN FULL BACK

SPONSORED BY LJB JOINERY

HARRY COATES - DEFENDER

A KEY SIGNING LAST SEASON FROM ASHTON UNITED DESPITE BEING CHASED BY NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH AND NPL PREMIER DIVISION SIDES. APPOINTED CLUB CAPTAIN THIS SUMMER. HARRY IS A COMMANDING CENTRAL DEFENDER AND COMFORTABLE WITH THE BALL AT HIS FEET AND MORE THAN CAPABLE TO STEP INTO MIDFIELD.

SPONSORED BY JAMES & DAWN ROGERS

JIMMY BURKE - DEFENDER

BURKEY MADE 46 APPEARANCES FOR THE CLUB BETWEEN 2018 – 2020 AND IS A WELCOME ADDITION TO THE SQUAD. AS WELL AS A SUCCESSFUL FIRST SPELL AT THE CLUB HE PLAYED A KEY ROLE FOR HYDE UNITED AS THEY REACHED THE FIRST ROUND OF THE FA CUP. JIMMY STARTED HIS CAREER AT HUDDERSFIELD TOWN AND MADE HIS EFL DEBUT AFTER TRANSFERRING TO BURY.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

DERRY ROBSON – DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

TALENTED AND VERSATILE, DEZ IS AS COMFORTABLE IN MIDFIELD AS HE IN AT FULL-BACK. DERRY HAS EXPERIENCE OF PROMOTION FROM STEP FOUR AND WILL ADD DRIVE AND EXPERIENCE TO THE SIDE. DEZ JOINED THE CLUB IN 2022 FROM NPL EAST SIDE CLEETHORPES TOWN.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

JOSH WOODCOCK – DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

PRIMARILY A RIGHT BACK, JOSH IS COMFORTABLE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE PITCH AS WELL AS FURTHER FORWARD INTO MIDFIELD. THE 21-YEAR-OLD MADE OVER 50 APPEARANCES FORBELPER TOWN AND CAN COUNT

ROTHERHAM UNITED AND LINCOLN CITY AMONG HIS FORMER CLUBS.

SPONSORED BY PAUL COOPER

FABIAN BAILEY – DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

SIGNED FROM PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES WHERE HE SPENT FOUR SEASONS. FAB IS ABLE TO TURN HIS HAND TO A NUMBER OF POSITIONS AS REQUIRED, HE STARTED HIS CAREER AT ROTHERHAM UNITED AND HAS ALSO HAD SPELLS AT FRICKLEY ATHLETIC AND OSSETT TOWN.

SPONSORED BY RICH CALLAGHAN

COREY GREGORY – MIDFIELDER

CULTURED MIDFIELDER, COREY RETURNS TO INGFIELD AFTER A SPELL AT

BRIGHOUSE TOWN. NO STRANGER TO GRANT BLACK WHO HAS SIGNED HIM FOR

A THIRD TIME HAVING WORKED WITH HIM AT OSSETT TOWN AND BELPER TOWN.

COREY WILL BE A DRIVING FORCE IN THE HEART OF THE PITCH

SPONSORED BY THE ADAMSON FAMILY

JOSH LINDLEY – MIDFIELDER

JOSH HAS SIGNED FOR THE CLUB FROM DONCASTER ROVERS AFTER A SUCCESSFUL LOAN SPELL LAST SEASON WHERE HE SCORED A VITAL GOAL IN THE 1-1 DRAW AT CHAMPIONS WORKSOP TOWN. HARD WORKING AND GOOD ON THE BALL, HE WILL ADD MORE COMPETITION TO AN ALREADY TALENTED MIDFIELD AT THE CLUB’S DISPOSAL.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

JANNI LIPKA - MIDFIELDER

A KEY PLAYER IN THE SUCCESSFUL HYDE UNITED SIDE WHO PLAYED MK DON’S IN THE FA CUP, LIPKA HAS GREAT EXPERIENCE AND HAS PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE FOR THE CLUB SINCE SIGNING LAST SEASON. HAVING HAD AN INJURY INTERRUPTED SEASON LAST YEAR, WITH A FULL PRE-SEASON BEHIND HIM JANNI IS EXPECTED TO GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH THIS SEASON

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

DESMOND AMPONSAH – FORWARD

QUICK AND TRICKY FROM EITHER FOOT, DESMOND IS SURE TO GET THE FANS EXCITED, A REAL DEFENDERS NIGHTMARE. DESMOND SPENT LAST SEASON WITH LIVERSEDGE AND TADCASTER ALBION GAINING NPL EXPERIENCE.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

TJ IBRAHIM – FORWARD

A DYNAMIC WINGER WITH AN EYE FOR GOAL, TJ WAS THE FIRST SUMMER SIGNING JOINING THE CLUB FROM BRIGHOUSE TOWN WHERE HE HAS SPENT THE PAST FIVE SEASONS. TJ HAS GIVEN FULL BACK’S SLEEPLESS NIGHTS OVER RECENT YEARS AND KNOW HOW THEY THINK AS HE IS MORE THAN CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THAT POSITION HIMSELF IF REQUIRED.

SPONSORED BY KEITH & KATH WOOD

SAM KELLY - FORWARD

ANOTHER SUMMER SIGNING AND ONE THAT WILL UNDOUBTABLY EXCITE THE INGFIELD FAITHFUL. TALL, STRONG AND QUICK, SAM WILL ADD A NEW OPTION UPFRONT FOR THE SIDE HAVING SPENT TIME IN AMERICA WHERE HE EARNED A PLACE IN THE TEAM OF THE YEAR THANKS TO HIS PROWESS IN FRONT OF GOAL SCORING 22 GOALS IN 31 APPEARANCES FOR FAULKNER UNIVERSITY EAGLES.

SPONSORED BY SPOFF & KATE

DARNELL MINTUS - FORWARD

DARNELL, WHO CAME THROUGH THE RANKS AT HUDDERSFIELD TOWN, WAS RECOMMENDED TO THE CLUB IN PRE-SEASON AND DID NOT DISAPPOINT. HE HAS A FANTASTIC WORK ETHIC, AND IS DIRECT AND POSITIVE WHEN ON THE BALL

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

ALEX PETERSON - FORWARD

A KEY MEMBER OF THE SIDE, ALEX’S WORK RATE IS SECOND TO NONE AND HE IS A HANDFUL FOR ANY DEFENDER THAT HE COMES UP AGAINST. STRONG AND EXCELLENT IN THE AIR HE IS A FOCAL POINT OF THE OSSETT SIDE BRINGING PLAYERS AROUND HIM INTO THE GAME WHILST ALSO FINISHING ANY CHANCES CREATED

SPONSORED BY MOZ & MARZ

RAFA FERREIRA – FORWARD

A FLAIR PLAYER WHO IMPRESSED IN PRE-SEASON AND EARNT HIMSELF A DEAL AT THE CLUB, RAFA HAS SPENT TIME AT GUISELEY, PICKERING TOWN AND TADCASTER ALBION AHEAD OF JOINING OSSETT UNITED THIS SUMMER.

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

THE OPPOSITION

DUNSTON FC – A BRIEF HISTORY

The Club first saw light of day in 1975 as the Football Section of a Print Works Sports & Social Club. Long-serving Club stalwart John Thompson, along with some of his fellow workmates at Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Gateshead, formed the team and joined the Newcastle City Amateur League playing at the Civil Service Sports Ground, Longbenton, Newcastle.

Early success inspired John to develop the Club and it moved to a new base, The Bay Horse public house in Whickham. The Club name was changed to Whickham Sports FC. Playing on a public parks pitch in Dunston, the Club entered the Northern Amateur League. Numerous successes were achieved at this level including League Championships and League Cup wins.

In 1980 the Club joined the Northern Combination League. Further League and Cup triumphs followed and a move to a base nearer the home ground seemed logical. The Club moved to a new base at the Dunston Mechanics Social Club and became known as Dunston Mechanics FC. As the club progressed, land in the locality was leased from Gateshead MBC and the management committee began to develop the present ground.

At this stage an approach was made to the Federation Brewery for sponsorship to assist in the progress of the Club. When they kindly agreed to become the Club’s main sponsors, the name was changed to Dunston Federation Brewery F.C. After finishing as League Champions and League Cup Winners in 1987, the Club left the Northern Combination League and joined the Wearside League. Following a period of four seasons in the Wearside League – being League Champions twice and League Cup Winners once – the club felt a need to seek new opportunities and an application was made to join the prestigious Northern Football League.

During their time in the Wearside League, the club had made considerable improvements to Federation Park with progress to a higher status of football in mind, and their application to join the Northern League was successful. The Club had now realised one of its main ambitions and so entered the National Pyramid of Non-League Football.

In its second season in the Northern League, the Club won the Second Division Title and was promoted to the First Division. That season also saw the Club reach the last eight of the national FA Vase competition

THE OPPOSITION

The Club was now an established Northern League Club having won the League Challenge Cup three years in succession from 1998 to 2000. Dunston also won the J. R. Cleator Cup in 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. Season

2003/2004 was one to remember when the club won the Northern League Championship for the first time and also lifted the League Challenge Cup. They also reached the final qualifying round of the F.A. Cup – the furthest they have ever reached in that competition.

After such a magnificent season in 2003/2004, the club went one better the following season when they repeated the Northern League Championship and Challenge Cup Double and also lifted the J. R. Cleator Cup once more.

In 2009, having been without a main sponsor for the previous three seasons, Mr. Shaun Sadler of UTS Engineering kindly agreed to provide a generous sponsorship package and it was agreed that the Club be known as Dunston UTS Football Club. The name of the ground was changed from Federation Park to The UTS Stadium.

The Club enjoyed a momentous season in 2011-2012 when, under the Management duo of Billy Irwin and Tony Harrison, they finished third in the Northern League and achieved the greatest success in their history. After a memorable run in the FA Vase, the side reached the Final at Wembley Stadium and went on to lift the trophy with a superb 2-0 victory over West Auckland Town.

After a few barren years, the Club sprang back to life again at the end of the 2017-2018 season when finishing as Runners-Up in the Durham Challenge Cup Final and going one better with victory in the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup Final. Building on the new-found momentum, Dunston continued in the same vein in the following season with a great run in the FA Cup, going out in the final Qualifying Round to National League neighbours Gateshead in front of a record crowd of 2,525 at the UTS Stadium.

The Club finished the 2018-2019 season as convincing Champions of the Northern League First Division, seventeen points ahead of their nearest rivals. Promotion ensued to the BetVictor Northern Premier North West Division but FA Regulations dictated that the “Club Playing Name” must not include any reference to a sponsor so the “UTS” was reluctantly dropped from the Club Title before the new season commenced. Shaun Sadler showed remarkable understanding of the situation and agreed to continue his wonderful sponsorship of the Club. With the aid of a generaous grant from the FSIF, improvements were completed to bring the ground up to NPL standards.

THE OPPOSITION

The step up proved more difficult than expected in the NPL North West Division and it wasn’t until the turn of the year that the team achieved any real consistency. The early cancellation of League proceedings due to Covid-19 in March 2020 saw the Club finish in mid-table. After yet another early curtailment in 2020-21, Dunston started the 21-22 season in the newly formed NPL East Division much stronger and finished in sixth-place, just missing out on the end-of-season Play-Offs. Last Season saw yet another upgrade in playing strength and more Stadium improvements but the same disappointing final finish of sixth from top. In a very competitive Division we will have to go that extra step in the 2023-24 season if we are to achieve our aim of promotion but under the guidance of our new Team Manager Jon McDonald and his Coaches we will do our best!

Previous Meetings

THE OPPOSITION

DAN STAPLES (Goalkeeper) - Dan signed for Dunston in July 2022 after impressing during pre-season. The experienced goalkeeper has had spells with Newcastle United, Sunderland, Wrexham, Bedlington Terriers and Consett.

MATTHEW CASSAP (Goalkeeper) - Matty is a very talented goalkeeper with a great future ahead of him. His agility, courage and speed of reflex promise a very successful career if he continues to develop under the guidance of Dan Staples and Dunston Goalkeeping Coach Lee Kennedy. He enjoys dual registration with Gateshead FC of the National League where he attends their Academy.

CRAIG BAXTER (Defender) - Baxter is a strong and composed right back who brings experience to the Dunston back line after playing higher up in the NLS. Craig has a proven track record throughout his career, playing for South Shields over a five-season spell and making 188 appearances. He previously played an integral role in the Gateshead side which reached the National League playoff final at Wembley Stadium in the 2013/14 season. Former Clubs include Newcastle United.

CHRIS McDONALD (Defender) - Chris is a tenacious left-sided defender who has loads of skill and the ability to get forward to deliver dangerous crosses into his opponents’ box. He joined Dunston in the summer from North Shields after their unfortunate relegation due to Ground issues. Chris had previously played for Jarrow Roofing, Whitley Bay, Berwick Rangers and Morpeth Town.

JACK CAMARDA (Defender) - The Isle of Man native signed for Dunston during the 2022-23 season. The young defender spent previous spells at the likes of Oldham Athletic, Mansfield Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers as a junior. Most recently, Jack played for his local side Isle of Man FC during the club’s inaugural season in the NWC League before studying at Durham University.

THE OPPOSITION

JUDE SWAILES (Defender) - Having been with Newcastle United since he was a youngster, Jude emerged through the Premier League Club’s Academy system before moving up into the ranks of their Under 23’s squad. Jude is a strong competitor in the Dunston back line and can be described as a no-nonsense centre-half, willing to put his body on the line for the Club.

TERRY GALBRAITH (Defender) - Terry re-joined Dunston before the start of the 2020-21 season after a superb career at Darlington FC in the National League North. He was a key member of the Dunston UTS team that lifted the FA Vase at Wembley in 2012 before joining Darlington to further his playing career. “Tez” was an immediate success at the ex-League Club and played over 250 games for them, scoring around sixty goals in the process and going on to becoming their Captain.

JACK WALKER (Defender) - Jack became Dunston’s sixth signing over the summer and adds great competition to the backline. Walker operates predominantly as a centre-back however, he can play anywhere in the back four. Most recently at North Shields, Jack was an invaluable player and won the club’s Player of the Season award in 2022-23.

MICHAEL PEARSON (Midfielder/Defender) - Having previously played for Hartlepool United, Blyth Spartans and South Shields, our current Club Captain joined Dunston from Consett AFC prior to the 2015/16 campaign. Michael was voted the Dunston Player of the Season at the first attempt. An industrious and combative player, his versatility allows him to play in several positions. He has since gone on to play more than 150 games for Dunston and never gives less than 100% effort.

DAVID ROBINSON (Midfielder) - Another summer signing and an enforcer in the middle of the middle of the park. ‘Robbo’ has previously played for North Shields, and Newcastle Benfield. The ever-reliable midfielder also had spells with Seaham Red Star and Blyth AFC where he captained both clubs. A leader and a warrior, David is another great addition to the club..

THE OPPOSITION

JAKE JENSEN (Midfielder) - Jake was one of the multiple signings for Dunston in the summer of 2022. He was on a football scholarship in the United States for four years from summer 2018 before returning to England. Jake is a technically gifted midfielder that brings energy and tenacity to the team along with an accurate range of passing.

PHIL TURNBULL (Midfielder) - Central midfielder Phil can play with either foot and is a fiercely competitive player who joined the club along with Craig Baxter in 2021. Having started out at Hartlepool United before joining York City, Phil enjoyed loan spells at Blyth Spartans and Gateshead. A permanent move to Gateshead in 2008 saw him play over 300 games for the Tynesiders and he played a vital role in the National League season which saw Gateshead reach Wembley.

JACK ELLIOTT (Forward) - Jack is a very talented player who returned to Dunston in September 2019 following a brief spell with Hebburn Town. He progressed through Newcastle United’s Academy and has had spells at Consett AFC and Whickham. Since his return, Jack has been a virtual ever-present figure in the starting eleven and continues to give his all in a Dunston shirt.

LIAM THEAR (Forward) - “Scrappy” is in his ninth season at the Club after completing a successful stint at the Gateshead FC Academy where he was very highly rated. A very strong and deceptive player who is a great character to have in the playing squad.

JONATHON CHRISP (Midfielder/Forward) - JJ is a versatile young player who can fit into the team in several positions. He is quick and can play comfortably with either foot and combines bravery with a very competitive attitude. His ability to come up with important goals makes him a real asset. Team Manager Jon McDonald describes JJ as “a player with a lot of potential”.

THE OPPOSITION

RICHARD COULSON (Midfielder/Forward) - Richie arrived in early December 2021 from Northern League side Whitley Bay. He picked up six goals at the back end of the 2021/22 season and despite missing several games through injury last season he was a vital part of the team. Able to play anywhere across the front line, Richie has added versatility to the Dunston side and he will be looking to contribute even more in the 2023/24 season.

LUKE CARR (Forward) - A player who is no stranger to the big occasion having won league titles with Morpeth Town, Consett and most recently Newcastle Blue Star. Luke has also played at Wembley twice in two FA Vase Finals, winning one of them with Morpeth. A new signing over the summer, Carr brings a lot to the table including the ability to link up the play, register assists, and score goals.

SADO DJALO (Forward) - Sadó signed early in the 2021/22 season from Bedlington Terriers. He made and excellent early impression, with the frontman scoring 11 goals for Dunston in a short period of time. Sadó was quickly snapped up by National League North outfit Blyth Spartans but his game-time was limited. A short loan back to the UTS Stadium was followed by a more permanent deal which saw Sadó return to Dunston and he has proved to be a regular goalscorer.

JACK MASKELL (Forward) - Dunston beat a host of North-East Clubs to the signature of nineteen-year-old Jack and have been very impressed with his ability and attitude during his integration into the Club. He scored an unbelievable amount of Northern League goals last season for his local Club Horden CW and we are delighted that he chose Dunston to continue his football career progression.

DALE PEARSON (Forward) – The powerful frontman signed for Dunston in February 2022 from Morpeth Town where he had been a regular starter in the NPL Premier Division. He made an instant impact last season as he quickly settled into the Dunston team. Dale also played for Consett AFC and scored at Wembley in the FA Vase Final in 2021 against Hebburn Town.

THE OPPOSITION

JON McDONALD (Manager) - Jon joined Dunston FC in early March of 2021 from Northern Premier League side Morpeth Town, where he was Assistant Manager for three seasons. During his time at Craik Park he was part of two successive promotions and a Northumberland Senior Cup victory in the 2018/19 season. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Manager’s role and holds a UEFA A Coaching Licence. He has previously managed Blyth Town, guiding them to The Northern League 2nd Division title in the 2017/18 season, as well as managerial spells with West Allotment Celtic and North Shields in The Northern League.

ANDY WRIGHT (Assistant Manager) - Andy previously played for Leeds United as a youth player and at professional level. Despite not appearing as a pro at Leeds, Wright did achieve success in the Youth Team winning the 1997 FA Youth Cup. He also had spells playing at Reading FC and at Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie as well as playing for various non-league teams. In his coaching career, Wright holds a UEFA A License and was a Lead Phase Coach at Leeds United for six years.

MARK SCOTT (Coach) - Mark joined the Club in late 2022 with experience in coaching at South Shields FC and North Shields FC where he worked with assistant manager Jon McDonald, More recently, he has spent time at Spennymoor Town FC where he was part of the academy coaching staff. He holds a UEFA A License and will be a superb addition to an already vastly experienced coaching set up.

LEE KENNEDY (Goalkeeping Coach) - Lee joined Dunston in July 2022 and immediately jumped into the task last season. Lee brings with him a wealth of experience, working with a range of teams at all levels of the game. Lee passes on his knowledge and skills to Dunston’s new breed of goalkeepers as the club looks to push on.

LEWIS BLACK (Physio) - The Club was delighted to acquire the vital services of the enthusiastic Lewis to look after the health and safety of the playing squad in training and on match days. He was appointed in time to take up his duties before the start of the 2021-22 campaign and has fitted into this most vital position in the Club extremely well.

MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY FROM £250

SPONSOR A MATCH OF YOUR CHOICE FOR UP TO 8 PEOPLE (£30 PER HEAD FOR ADDITIONAL GUESTS)

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

GROUND ENTRY, ACCESS TO HOSPITALITY SUITE WITH PANORAMIC PITCH VIEWS (2PM-5PM)

SELECT THE OFFICIAL PLAYER OF THE MATCH

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IN THE DIGITAL MATCHDAY

PROGRAMME AND PA ANNOUNCER

GOURMET BUFFET

SIX BEERS, WINE OR SOFT DRINKS PER PERSON

ENQUIRIES TO:

COMMERCIAL@OSSETTUTD.COM

Better Than Cruyff

Johan Cruyff is a legend. Everybody knows that. He is revered in his home country and across the globe for both his ability on the pitch, and his genius off it. The Dutchman is undoubtedly one of the greatest of all time, with a tiny handful of players that can claim to have played the game better. But Cruyff himself only ever conceded that one man was better than him, one man that most have never heard of.

Willy Dullens.

Dullens was born in the final months of the Second World War, in the Dutch village of Broeksittard, surviving a conflict-induced famine in his early months. Rarely without a ball at his feet, Dullens trained for six hours each day, and spent every night reading

Voetballen Doe Je Zo, ‘This is How you Play Football’. He was quickly a master with the ball at his feet.

Returning from the pit one day, his father asked young Willy how many keepie uppies he had managed that day. The answer3500 - was astonishing. When he reached 6000, he stopped. Nobody, he believed, would ever beat that.

He played for his local amateur side, using his brother’s birth certificate to trick authorities when he was just 14. He shone against fully grown adults. It didn’t take long for the professionals to take notice, and he was snapped up by local second tier side Sittardia, along with his two brothers.

Dullens could not have been more different to Cruyff. While the mercurial Total Footballer represented rebellious youth in the capital, the Sittardia midfielder embodied the working class and strict Christian values of Broeksittard. He never smoked, he never drank. After playing poorly in one game, he realised he had gone to bed too late and set himself a bedtime. He was quiet, and let his feet do the talking.

18 goals in his debut season saw Sittardia promoted. Although he wasn’t able to keep the minnows in the top flight, his talent was noticed. He started to get called up to the national youth teams, where he first encountered Cruyff. They would eventually become friends, but Dullens couldn’t believe how much the Ajax man smoked. To treat his body that way was inconceivable. He noted how talented Cruyff was though, but never felt inferior to him. He would later recall that they never lost a match they played together.

Despite relegation, a series of wonder goals ensured that he was not forgotten. Whilst playing in the second tier, he got his first Oranje senior call up, and mesmerised an

experienced Belgian defence at De Kuip. The day after his debut, Dullens was the second coming, around whom Dutch football should be built. Two weeks later, he did the same to Scotland.

Despite playing in the second tier, Dullens was named Dutch player of the year. Ahead of Cruyff. This would be his greatest accolade, and his undoing. Feyenoord spent the summer trying to sign the young man that could have them challenging Ajax once again, but he lined up for Sittardia once more.

In a friendly before the season opener, with his side 4-1 up, his teammates relaxed. But not Dullens. He demanded nothing

less than perfection, and there was a crowd to entertain. Dribble after mazy dribble frustrated the Vitesse defence, until finally one challenge came in too late, and snapped his knee. The referee didn’t even stop the game, and it was barely reported. Nobody understood the seriousness of the incident, except Dullens himself.

The Sittardia doctor told him to go home and rest, despite his insistence that he should go to the hospital. He sat on the sidelines for four weeks, as his side started poorly. When he came back, he was in pain. Ice didn’t help, and his manager had no sympathy, needing him for a relegation battle. He even received two more caps for the Netherlands, but it wasn’t the same player.

Travelling

to

the best knee doctor

in Europe didn’t help, and after an eight hour surgery the worst was confirmed. Dullens retired in 1969, at the age of 22, but not before one final swansong. Cruyff and his former teammates arranged a friendly, as a way of supporting him. In front of 55,000 fans, the great Dutch hope limped out onto the pitch at the Amsterdam Arena. He knew, deep down, that this would be his last time in a

MARTYN GREEN

stadium for a long time. The pain of not playing the game was too much. He is one of footballs great what ifs.

Enjoy the game.

Martyn

Martyn Green edits The Untold Game.

A number of excellent articles telling the untold stories of the beautiful game can be found at www.theuntoldgame.co.uk or on social media @theuntoldgame

CLUB HISTORY

Ossett United was created on 1 June 2018 following the merger of Ossett Town AFC (est. 1936) and Ossett Albion AFC (est. 1944). Both Ossett Town and Ossett Albion had managed to gain Northern Premier League status and maintain that level of football for a remarkable period of time.

The two clubs merged under the leadership of a new board brought together from the two previous clubs. The Club made its new home Ingfield, the previous home of Ossett Town, and used Dimple Wells, the previous home of Ossett Albion, as its Ladies and Academy Team base.

Despite a successful first season on the pitch, off field things were not as successful with a number of board resignations and some challenging financial issues to deal with following the merger. By the end of the 2018/19 season, Phil Smith had taken on the mantle of club chairman with Stuart Garside, Steve Hanks, Paul Billing, Neil Spofforth and Joe Hanks joining the board.

There were more troubles for Ossett United in November 2019 as a significant and unprecedented court case, dating back to a tackle in 2015 when Ossett Town were playing Radcliffe Borough, was lost with United facing legal and damages costs amounting to £135,000. Fortunately, the club received a generous loan from two of its closest supporters to avoid the club going into liquidation (at worst) or selling the Ingfield ground (at best).

CLUB HISTORY

Despite a successful first season on the pitch, off field things were not as successful with a number of board resignations and some challenging financial issues to deal with following the merger. By the end of the 2018/19 season, Phil Smith had taken on the mantle of club chairman with Stuart Garside, Steve Hanks, Paul Billing, Neil Spofforth and Joe Hanks joining the board.

There were more troubles for Ossett United in November 2019 as a significant and unprecedented court case, dating back to a tackle in 2015 when Ossett Town were playing Radcliffe Borough, was lost with United facing legal and damages costs amounting to £135,000. Fortunately, the club received a generous loan from two of its closest supporters to avoid the club going into liquidation (at worst) or selling the Ingfield ground (at best).

James Rogers and Phil Smith swapped roles due to Smith’s work commitments with Rogers taking on the role as Chairman, a role he had previously held at Ossett Town. 2020 also saw the club declare Dimple Wells as surplus to requirements and made arrangements to surrender the lease making Ingfield the single home of the united club.

GROUND IMPROVEMENTS

With the off-field rollercoaster settling down the Board progressed numerous ground improvements at Ingfield with the replacement of the pitch side barrier and installation of LED floodlights being completed in 2021 before attention turned to improving the changing room facilities which took shape in the summer of 2023 thanks to further grants from the Football Foundation.

The extension includes an additional match official room, two offices and a medical room as well as a larger, modern changing room that will become fully operational by the summer of 2024.

The Boardroom has also been strengthened in the summer of 2023 with Dawn Rogers and Kate Hennighan taking their place alongside the eight members already in place.

CLUB HISTORY

On the pitch, the first year (2018/19) was a remarkable success with attendances significantly increased from what either club had experienced previously, coupled with success on the pitch reaching the play-off semi-final and winning the County Cup, under the guidance of manager Andy Welsh.

Following the departure of Andy Welsh a couple of months in to the 2019/20 season Wayne Benn, assisted by Chick Hayward, oversaw two covid hit seasons. Hopes were high after a positive pre-season in 2021/22 with Benn reshaping the squad. The season started well with Ossett United in the top half of the table but a run of only one win in three months saw a change in the dugout at Christmas with Jas Collvier and Mark Ward taking a joint managerial role.

The season ended well with the pair unbeaten at Ingfield with seven wins and two draws but away from home inconsistent performances and results saw a ninth placed finish in only the clubs second completed season.

Colliver and Ward strengthened the squad throughout pre-season, and despite on paper the squad looking as strong as it ever had, results did not match expectations. Mark Ward resigned in September with Colliver taking sole charge before leaving the club by mutual consent the following month.

Grant Black became the clubs fourth permanent manager in October 2022, winning his first game in charge, 2-0 at the eventual play-off champions Long Eaton United and only tasting defeat twice in his first 16 games.

Results tailed off as the season ended with the club finishing in 15 th place but the management team had a clear plan in place for the type of player they wanted to bring in ahead of the 2023/24 season with their and the clubs ambition being a much higher finish than recently experienced.

The Man In The Middle

Name: Steven Taylor

Refereeing Journey: I started refereeing about 10 years ago as I had just finished playing myself due to taking longer to recover from the knocks you get while playing. I still went to watch local football, so thought what better view than to be on the pitch. I did my course and since then I have moved up from level 7 doing Sunday morning football to where I am now; Referee in The Northern Prem and Assistant Referee in The National League.

Home Saturday 19th August – 3pm

Emirates FA Cup vs Wythenshawe

Away Tuesday 22nd August – 7:45pm

Pitching-In NPL East Division vs Ashington AFC

Home Saturday 26th August – 3pm

Pitching-In NPL East Division vs Stockton Town

Away Monday 28th August – 3pm

Pitching-In NPL East Division vs Pontefract Collieries

Joe GREEN

Fabian BAILEY

Jimmy BURKE

Harry COATES

Jayden JOHN

Jacob McLOUGHLIN

Paddy MILLER

Essa NDOW

Josh WOODCOCK

Corey GREGORY

Darnell MINTUS

Dec O’HARE

Rafa FERREIRA

Josh LINDLEY

Derry ROBSON

TJ IBRAHIM

Desmond AMPONSAH

Sam KELLY

Alex PETERSON

Charlie REANEY

SHIRTS: SKY BLUE

SHORTS: NAVY

SOCKS: SKY BLUE

GK: ALL PINK

Craig BAXTER

Jack CAMARDA

Matthew CASSAP

Luke CARR

Jonathon CHRISP

Richard COULSON

Sado DJALO

Jack ELLIOTT

Terence GALBRAITH

Jake JENSEN

Jordan LAMB

Jack MASKELL

Chris McDONALD

Bradley MONCUR

Dale PEARSON

Michael PEARSON

David ROBINSON

Dan STAPLES

Jude SWAILES

Liam THEAR

Phil TURNBULL

Jack WALKER

SHIRTS: RED

SHORTS: RED

SOCKS: RED

GK: ALL LIME