Stockton Town - Match Programme

THE COLLS

WELCOME TO THE HUNTERS STADIUM

Pontefract Collieries FC would like to extend a very warm welcome to the fans, players and officials of our visitors for this fixture and to all of our Ponte Colls supporters and committee.

We also welcome our match officials and any neutrals who have chosen to come along to watch our game today.

We hope you enjoy your visit to our stadium and would like for you to make use of our facilities that we are proud to offer…

in particular, our clubhouse situated under the main stand with cold beer on tap and excellent tea bar with a selection of hot and cold food.

Whatever the outcome of today’s game, we do hope that you will be able to join us for a drink in the clubhouse after the match before wishing you a safe journey home.

We would also like to thank our sponsors and partners for the 2022/23 season

NOTE: ONLY FOOD AND DRINK BOUGHT ON THE PREMISES CAN BE CONSUMED ON THE PREMISES

H E C O L L I

COLLS CONTACTS & OFFICIALS

Office; Pontefract Collieries Football Club CIC 4 Holywell Avenue Castleford England, WF10 3FD Company No. 08103129 Director: Trevor Waddington contact@pontefractcollieries.com www.pontefractcollieries.com

The Colls Club History

Pontefract is known to have had a football club as far back as the 1890s when a side, presumably composed mainly of soldiers, competed in the West Yorkshire League as Pontefract Garrison.

Much of the history of the game in the town is still in need of further research, but it is known that a Pontefract Borough club reached the dizzy heights of the Yorkshire League in the late 1920s. They failed to finish the 1929–30 season, though. But by 1935, a club called Tanshelf Gems managed to acquire a ground on Ackworth Road, moved there, and became Pontefract United.

United ruled the roost in local football before the war, but when hostilities ended in Europe, they were rekindled in the town with the appearance of a Pontefract Collieries side, who by the late 1950s had gained slight bragging rights over their town rivals, both playing in the West Yorkshire League.

But in 1960 the old Collieries club became extinct, only for the name to return a couple of years later when United merged with a local youth side and adopted the name for themselves.

The new club quickly gained in stature and found considerable success in the West Yorkshire League, before joining the Yorkshire League in 1979. Progress on the field continued, culminating in a Yorkshire League Division Three Championship win in 1982.

This was the last season of the old Yorkshire and Midland Leagues, which then combined to form the Northern Counties East League.

The Colls were founder members of the new league. Successive promotions were gained in the first two seasons; the Runners-Up spot in Division Two (North) being followed rapidly by the Division One (North) Championship.

This was the last season of the old Yorkshire and Midland Leagues, which then combined to form the Northern Counties East League.

The Colls were founder members of the new league. Successive promotions were gained in the first two seasons; the Runners-Up spot in Division Two (North) being followed rapidly by the Division One (North) Championship.

This meteoric rise saw the Colls into the top flight of the NCEL, a position they held for a decade. Progress on the field was matched by ground improvements, as floodlights, a new clubhouse, stands, seats, and other major changes took place.

Much of the work was done during the miners’ strike, cementing further, literally, the club’s relationship with the mining industry and local community.

The floodlight opening in 1987 saw the Collieries take on Hull City in a friendly, watched by the record 1,000 crowd for the Skinner Lane ground. More honours came the club’s way as the NCEL Floodlit Cup was won twice, and two West Riding County Cup Finals were reached. Another near miss was the appearance in the NCEL Presidents Cup Final in 1994.

Managers Paul Cooper, John Brown, and Ged Elliott had been the main inspirations behind the footballing rise of the club during this sustained period of progress. But when the last of this line, Ged Elliott, left the club during 1994–95, a sudden decline could not be halted and the first relegation for many a year came about.

The appointment of new boss, Jim Kenyon, soon halted the slide, however, and the Colls bounced straight back, taking the Runners-Up spot, and winning the Wilkinson Sword Trophy along the way.

The following season saw Pontefract in yet another cup final, when they lost out by 3 –1 to Hucknall Town at Millmoor in the NCEL League Cup Final.

Success could not be sustained, though, and by 1998–99, a disastrous start saw the first 11 games lost, and only 7 points gained by Christmas. New manager, Peter Daniel, came in, and almost turned the fortunes around in an amazing rear-guard battle. The club still lost its Premier Division status, finishing second bottom, but only on goal difference.

Steve Kittrick then took up the challenge with a more locally based squad, and an emphasis on youth development. 199900 saw the Under-16’s win the West Riding Junior Cup, and the Under-19’s reach the Northern Youth Alliance League Cup Final. The senior squad also reached the Wilkinson Sword Trophy Final, which was narrowly lost on a 4–2 aggregate to Goole.

But successes at youth level were ultimately unable to be repeated by the senior squad, and Steve Kittrick left, after a disappointing finish to the 2000–01 campaign. The successful youth coach, Gary Batley, took over for the 2001–02 campaign, but a very young and unsettled side saw a disastrous season end with the Colls rock bot-tom of the NCEL First Division.

The Colls Club History

2002–03 saw Peter Daniel return, and improve-ments on the field were obvious from the very start. Ironically, despite bringing in a few key players to strengthen the squad, much of the side were graduates from the club’s youth policy, which seemingly had not matured quite quickly enough for previous managers.

The season saw the club reach its best ever stage in national competitions, reaching the Second Round Proper of the FA Vase, and with another Cup Final appearance in the Wilkinson Sword Trophy, this time losing out to Mickleover Sports, 3–1 on aggregate. A strong run in the second half of the league season saw the Colls finish in fourth place in Division One.

But optimism for the 2003–04 campaign soon evaporated, and after a poor start, Pete Daniel resigned. Reserve team manager Roly Lanes took over the reins, and the club were pulled off bottom spot, but still needed to apply for re-election. Battles off the field have dominated recent times, with fires destroying seats and parts of the stand, the tea bar, and the closure of the adjacent Prince of Wales Colliery and loss of the electricity supply. On the field, Collieries continued to struggle, and only avoided relegation on more than one occasion as a consequence of Pyramid restructuring.

Progress in national competitions was virtually nil. Things reached rock bottom in 2007–08 when, despite winning the first league game, Ponte then failed to win another for the rest of the season, and finished with just 9 points, a staggering 15 adrift of the club above them. Once again, relegation was avoided as the club were saved by the constant restructuring of the Pyramid league system.

Turmoil and bad feeling dominated the summer break, seeing the departure of the management team and most of the Committee as well. But this provided an excellent opportunity for the club to rebuild, and to put in place a plan for the future where none had previously existed.

2008-9 saw a new and enthusiastic, Committee appoint new manager, Simon Houghton, from local Central Midlands League side Kinsley Boys, and after just 4 league games the new team gained the 9 points it won the previous season. For the first part of the season, the club kept pace with eventual champions Scarborough Athletic at the top of the table, but unfortunately, a disastrous spell into the new-year saw the club embark on a run of 1 win in 9, which saw the club finish in ninth place.

2009–10 saw continual improvement from Houghton’s players. The side was strengthened and despite a slow start, the side eventually finished the sea-son in fifth place, taking four points off promoted Brighouse Town during the campaign. Despite the team topping the league during the Christmas and New Year period in the 2010–11 Season, the team’s results fell away badly in the early months of 2011.

As a result, Simon Houghton left the club, with former Leeds United captain Brendon Ormsby being brought in as manager. During his first dozen games in charge of the club, Ormsby used the remainder of last season to assess the players at his disposal and start to implement changes to the playing style of the team. With several target signings brought in during the closed season to enhance his squad, Ormsby prepared his team for an assault on the NCEL First Division.

Unfortunately, success wasn’t forthcoming for the Colls, and a bad spell during the middle of the 2012-2013 season led to Ormsby leaving the club by mutual consent. Player-managers Nick Handley and Duncan Bray stepped into the breach for the club, and with one defeat in the last ten league games, they ended the season with the club in-form,

The 2013-2014 season was one of consolidation as Bray and Handley brought in new players and stamped their style of play on the squad. Ending in a ninth place league finish.

The plan was delivered and 2014/15 turned out to be a successful season for the Colls as they finished as runners up in the NCEL Division 1 and achieved promotion to the NCEL Premier League after an absence of fifteen seasons. Along the way they achieved the season’s records for highest away win, best aggregate score, most goals scored (joint with Louth Town), second best defence and most clean sheets.

Ponte now in the NCEL Premier (in 2015/16) new players arrived to strengthen the promotion winning squad. However struggles saw a new management team announced with manager Craig Parry assisted by Craig Rouse and Nigel Danby. They fought to the bitter end and unfortunately ended up in the third from bottom spot and back into division one.

The 2016/17 season saw many changes in players and staff behind the scenes and on the field, with emphasis on the clubs infrastructure being paramount. The team had a great pre-season and that gave the side the building blocks for the year they had.

The Colls Club History

After a great start with 9 wins out of the first 9 games (including friendlies) the Colls had started will in both league and the FA Cup. The latter saw us reach our joint furthest in the competition after wins against Runcorn Town and Bootle who both went on to have good league campaigns in their own right.

We ended up getting knocked out by Tadcaster Albion after a thrilling cup tie going 2-0 down then 3-1 down and after pulling a goal back to make it 3-2 were then harshly not given a late penalty!

The league saw us put in some brilliant runs of form which saw us leap from 6th to the top of the league. Fate was in our own hands on the final day requiring a win on the final day away at Worsbrough Bridge to gain promotion, which we did 2-1 to return back to the NCEL Premier Division.

2017/18 saw what can only be described as a spectacular season. The mighty Ponte Colls surprised everyone (probably most at the club too). We started the season brilliantly winning 12 out of our first 13 games scoring 50 goals in the process. By the end of 2017 Ponte had only lost 3 times in league football and were still going strong in the FA Vase. Due to these cup runs we sat third in the league and 18 points behind league leader AFC Mansfield but many games in hand.

But by the time we travelled to Mansfield for the “Title Decider” we were right on their tails, The game was billed to be a close battle yet Ponte took the wheels off the Mansfield title charge and hammered them 3-0 in their back yard!

A win in Ponte’s next game would guarantee our historic first promotion to the Evo Stik. Away at Maltby Main saw Ponte do exactly what was needed a 2-0 win and mass celebrations. The Colls followed this up with a midweek win again away, this time at Handsworth Parramore and a 3-1 win and Pickering losing the following night, meant Ponte were CHAMPIONS of the NCEL Premier Division.

After 2 consecutive promotions the Colls had an extremely successful first ever season at Step Four in 2018-19 in the NPL Division One East finishing as runners- up to Morpeth Town. The Colls narrowly lost out on promotion to the NPL Premier Division at the first time of asking after losing to Brighouse Town in the Play-offs.

The 19-20 and 20-21 seasons were curtailed early due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 2021/22 season saw Craig Rouse return to the club as First Team Manager, along with a number of former players. We struggled to get started in the league,

but history was made in the FA Cup as Ponte reached the fourth qualifying round. FC Halifax Town needed a return leg to beat The Colls, following a draw at home in front of a club record attendance,

With only league games remaining follow exits from other cup competitions, it was time to pick up poor league form. Colls sat second bottom in early November but a string of big wins saw a jump to mid table. A strong bond between players and fans built from the start of 2022 and some big wins followed.

Many positives for the new season in 2022/23 see many players retained, plus the addition of a couple of former faces. On and off the field the club seems to be in a much stronger positions, so here's to more happy days down Beechnut Lane!

Our Visitors Stockton Town

Stockton Town FC was formed in 1979 under its original name, Hartburn Juniors. Although records around that time are sketchy, it would appear the club was formed by Derrick Small, who at the time was coaching youngsters from the Hartburn area of Stockton at the local YMCA. The club home colours of yellow/royal shirts and royal shorts established then, remains the same now.

Throughout the eighties and nineties Hartburn Juniors continued to grow and operate as a junior football club, competing in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance. The club from time to time had various bases around the town, but the early years of the new Millennium saw a marked change in the club and a permanent base at Our Lady of St Bedes School on Bishopton Road West, Stockton.

It was felt by the members that the club's name didn’t really reflect the area where most players came from. The club had grown and now had players who came from all over Stockton Borough, so it was decided to change the name to Stockton Town Football Club. There was also a desire to resurrect a senior football team to represent the town of Stockton and it was felt this would create a great development opportunity for the whole club and provide to achieve this from grass roots through a junior football club was possible.

In April 2008, the club underwent a massive investment totalling £1.4 million, which also saw a partnership with Stockton Borough Council, Stockton Sixth Form College and Our Lady & St Bedes School to develop the facilities at the site, building a new clubhouse and changing facilities. This development was the springboard for a further expansion for the club.

The next step was to introduce open age men’s football to the club. Stockton Town had proved very successful in producing top quality young players that then from age 16 went on to play for various local non-league teams. The club decided it wanted to give these youngsters an opportunity to stay within the club, so in the 2009/10 season, Stockton Town entered a team in the Teesside League Second Division, using a mix of players from the outgoing and current Under-18s.

The first game in senior football was an away fixture at St Marys College, Middlesbrough, which ended in a 2-1 defeat. Having led the league for most of the season, they faded in the spring to finish fourth in their first season as a team. The club and the players were keen to progress, and, in the summer of 2010, Stockton Town successfully applied for membership for the Wearside League for the 2010/11 season. The team struggled in the early part of their first season in the Wearside League, but an impressive run of results after the Christmas/New Year saw them finish a creditable 10th.

The improvement continued in 2011/12, with a third-place finish and a League Cup final appearance, losing 2-0 to Ryhope CW. In 2012/13, Stockton Town, with a squad made-up mainly of young, local homegrown talent, won their first trophy in senior football, clinching the Wearside League title with a spectacular run-in, winning the final 12 games to overhaul Willington FC in the last game of the season.

The following season, a second Wearside League title was won a little easier, but brought another cup final defeat to Ryhope CW. This heralded the start of a period of dominance in the Wearside League for Stockton Town’s young, but maturing squad. In 2014/15, the Club completed the clean sweep of League title, League Cup, Shipowners Cup and Monkwearmouth Cup, a feat achieved only twice before in the history of the League.

The 2016/17 season saw the unprecedented success continue in the club’s first season in the Northern League Second Division by winning the League title and losing the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup Final to Northallerton Town on penalties. In a memorable first campaign in the Northern League, the club was visibly growing and topped the average attendance charts for Division Two (179). Stockton Town unbelievably had risen from an Under-18s team to Northern League Division One in just eight years.

The 2017/18 season saw a disastrous, almost terminal, start to the first season in Northern League Division One, turn into the season of a lifetime for everyone involved at the club. After losing the first eight league games, the team rallied to win 19 and draw one of the next 23 matches, a run that saw the Anchors climb the table to safety and also set up an exciting run in the FA Vase. The highlight of this was beating competition favourites West Auckland Town in the Fifth Round in extratime of a thrilling game.

Comparatively straightforward home victories against Stourport Swifts and Windsor FC set up an all-Northern League Semi-Final clash with champions-elect Marske United. An epic two-legged affair took place, with both games played on Stockton’s home ground, ending with joyous scenes and pitch invasions from the huge 1,800 crowd as Stockton Town edged out Marske United 3-2 on aggregate to clinch a place at Wembley.

Before that glorious day arrived, the Anchors got back down to business in the league and won six of the last seven league games to finish sixth, but miss out on a League Cup final, disappointingly losing at home in the Semi-Final after two terrific away wins at Morpeth Town and North Shields. The FA Vase Final was a day to remember and a fantastic occasion for the town and the whole of the Club, but despite a brave attempt the lads went down 1-0 against Thatcham Town, the memories will last forever.

After another good but at times frustrating season in 2018/19, the club made a series of key signings in the close season with a view to pushing for promotion to Step 4 and the proposed ‘additional’ East Division.

The return of prolific striker Jamie Owens complimented a return to his roots for ex-Darlington star Tom Portas. Dan McWilliams arrived from Whitby Town and what proved to be just as significant was the capture of ex Preston North End goalkeeper Callum Roberts, and young fullback Lewis King, who joined from Spennymoor Town after spending the previous season with Burnley's youth set-up.

It was the defence that was the foundation for what was building to be a season of a lifetime only for the pandemic restrictions to force The FA to end it prematurely and cruelly leave the Anchors with nothing to show for all their labours.

They dominated the league campaign, losing just once and conceding a paltry 14 goals in 30 League matches. They were on a 20-game unbeaten run when the curtain was brought down, and the team were, pretty much, steam rolling their way to glory. Good runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase, along with a jaunt to the Semi-Final of the Durham County Cup, causing an upset against South Shields along the way, looked to merely punctuate what seemed to be a runaway promotion and titlewinning campaign.

Unbeaten in all competitions, the team missed out on a ‘perfect’ season by losing their penultimate league game, away to Prudhoe. The next season saw a fourth-consecutive Wearside League title along with the League Cup and Monkwearmouth Cup back in the Bishopton Road trophy Cabinet. During this period the Club had been working to improve facilities to the required standard to gain promotion to the Northern League and after twice being thwarted at the last minute, promotion was finally achieved in the spring of 2016 and shortly after the club opened its stadium facility with a league game against Horden CW. T H E C O L L I E R I E S | P A G E 1 0

Record crowds were seen no less than three times, with over 900 spectators attending the league fixture on Boxing Day in 2019 and an average of 500 for league games, which showed how far the club had come and almost certainly a four figure crowd was inevitable before the final game. Memories of famous victories and an exciting season will live on forever, but no official record of the achievements will be held.

Our Visitors Stockton Town

As always, the club marched on, and the Anchors signed Spennymoor Town midfielder Shane Henry and former defender Dale Mulligan resigned for the 2020/21 season. With the bit between their teeth, Stockton went into the season wanting to pick up where they left off.

The season itself began with a 2-0 win against Shildon in the FA Cup, but there were only 12 league games played before the UK went into another national lockdown in November 2020 – the Anchors were sitting second in the table with 27 points. Football did return, but it was the FA Vase and not the league as Stockton beat Charnock Richard 4-2 at home after a four-week break before losing out against Shildon in the next round of the competition. This turned out to be the final match of the 2020/21 season as the pandemic continued and meant no more football could safely be played.

As always, the club marched on, and the Anchors signed Spennymoor Town midfielder Shane Henry and former defender Dale Mulligan resigned for the 2020/21 season. With the bit between their teeth, Stockton went into the season wanting to pick up where they left off. The season itself began with a 2-0 win against Shildon in the FA Cup, but there were only 12 league games played before the UK went into another national lockdown in November 2020 – the Anchors were sitting second in the table with 27 points.

Football did return, but it was the FA Vase and not the league as Stockton beat Charnock Richard 4-2 at home after a four-week break before losing out against Shildon in the next round of the competition. This turned out to be the final match of the 2020/21 season as the pandemic continued and meant no more football could safely be played.

With over 40 games played across the two seasons, questions were being asked as to what would happen with the outcome of the season. The Football Associated decided to combine the two seasons during their restructure of non-league football, meaning the Anchors finished top on points-per-game – therefore gaining promotion to the Northern Premier League for the first time in the club’s history. Michael Dunwell’s side headed into their first season in the Northern Premier League East Division full of belief that they won’t just be there to make up the numbers but compete with the very best in the league.

And it turned out to be the case as the Anchors managed to finish fourth in the table and make the Play-offs in their first season at Step 4. A historic night in Cleethorpes in the Semi-Final will live long in the memory. Adam Nicholson and Kev Hayes scored the goals to fire Stockton through to the Final, where they took on local rivals Marske United. Unfortunately, promotion to the Premier Division wasn’t to be as two wonder strikes was the difference between the sides in difficult conditions.

Dunwell and the Stockton management team recruited four players in the summer of 2022, with former Spennymoor Town striker Stephen Thompson the first through the door. Former Marske striker Matty Tymon, ex-Blyth Spartans and Stockton youth product Cameron Painter, and highly sought-after striker Elliott Beddow also followed as the Anchors look to push to go one better in the 2022/23 campaign.

GOALKEEPERS

Lewis McDonald

Lewis signed for the Anchors in the summer of 2021 and will provide competition for the number one shirt. An excellent background in nonleague, the shot-stopper has previously played for Marske United and Billingham Town – and has played against Stockton Town for the latter.

Callum Roberts

Callum joined from Billingham Synthonia, where he spent one season with in the Northern League side. Before that, Callum spent six years of his youth career with Sunderland before joining Preston North End in 2014, where he spent two years on a scholarship, and he went on to sign a professional contract in April 2017. He was involved in the first team setup at PNE and also played a key role in helping the Lilywhites reach the FA Youth Cup Quarter-Finals, making two saves in a penalty shoot-out against Everton. Callum also spent time on loan at Skelmersdale United in the Evo-Stik league. Callum is very mobile, agile, has good feet and has great hands, and brings a steely assurance to the defence.

DEFENDERS

Tom Coulthard

Tom is a product of the youth system here at Stockton Town. The defender broke through into the first team squad when he was 17 and has been an ever present since. A tough, strong, quick, thoroughbred of a centre half, Tom rarely gets ruffled or loses a challenge in the air or on the floor and has forged an impressive long-standing partnership at the back alongside captain Adam Nicholson. Tom has a decent scoring record for a defender and is also partial to scoring the odd free kick or penalty when called on.

Louie Hall

Louie is another player to have made the transition up to the first team from our Under-18 side this summer and has certainly impressed both management and supporters alike with some great performances in pre-season. Louie is calm and composed on the ball, knows how to do both sides of the game very well, and can also get forward with ease.

Lewis King

Lewis was a member of Hartlepool United Academy until 16. He then spent time at Burnley in their youth set up before returning to the North East and joining Spennymoor Town where he impressed with a string of solid performances for the Under-18s earning a call into the first team squad. Lewis is a great prospect, he's athletic and likes to get forward when playing as a full back but is very difficult to get past when defending and can perform equally as a centre back.

Dan McWilliams

Dan is a Stockton lad and after being released aged 16 from Middlesbrough Academy where he played in the Nike Cup winning side. He played for the Anchors for a season, but the talented left footer was taken into the Northern League by Billingham Synthonia and the following year he joined a very good Guisborough side.

The full-back moved with the manager to Whitby Town in 2015 and was a regular for the NPL Premier side. Dan is an athletic quick left sided defender who operates mainly at left back. He's technically excellent and a good passer of the ball, and also is comfortable in possession at either end of the pitch.

Dale Mulligan

Dale re-joined his brother Nathan at his hometown Club after a spell at Shildon. He played for the Anchors during their successful Wembley run in the 2017/18 season and won Manager’s Player of the Year for some colossal performances, leaving for the Railwaymen early the next season. Dale is an old school centre half, big and strong with a great never-say-die attitude. He is a no-nonsense player, good in the air and loves a tackle, and always defends with everything on the line. His experience of the Northern League, and character, strengthens the squad further.

Adam Nicholson Club Captain ‘Adi’ re-joined Stockton Town to play Under-18 football and went on to make his senior debut in the first ever season of adult football in the Teesside League age 16 and now has notched up over 400 appearances for the first team. At 6’5”, his strength is in the air, but his commitment to the team and desire to win are a major factor in a back four that has been so instrumental in the team's success to date. After missing most of the Wembley season with a serious knee injury, He fought his way back to be first choice again and was back to his dominant best last season. A good organiser and reader of the game, he's forged a formidable partnership with Tom that has now spanned eight seasons – and he also has an impressive goal scoring record for a defender.

MIDFIELDERS

Alfie Conway

Alfie is one of five Under-18 players to have impressed this pre-season and signed with the first team ahead of their first season in Step 4. Brother of Sam, the midfielder shows experience beyond his age and is comfortable in possession and going forward.

Liam Cooke

Liam started his career with Middlesbrough, playing with their Academy, before joining Whitby Town on a dual-registration in August 2019, following a trial with the club. In December 2021, the midfielder joined Stockton Town on a permanent deal from Whitby, where he made 37 appearances.

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Our Visitors Stockton Town

Cooke is a playmaker with an eye for a pass and can play either behind the front man or out wide and knows where the back of the net is. He is also the brother of Bradford City attacking midfielder Callum Cooke.

Shane Henry

Shane's nickname 'The Bull’ becomes clear when you see him play. He joins his hometown club after six seasons playing National League Football with Spennymoor Town who he joined from Whitby Town in 2014. He is renowned for his powerful midfield displays and tireless work-ethic on the pitch. Twice Managers’ Player of the Year at the Moors his experience will be invaluable in the Anchors drive to climb the pyramid and he will become an essential cog in the midfield.

Nathan Mulligan

Nathan was with Middlesbrough FC until his release at age 18, when he joined Darlington FC and played in the Football League. He joined Stockton Town from Billingham Synthonia having previously played for Whitby Town, Marske United and Norton & Stockton Ancients. Nathan’s quality and experience was key on the road to Wembley in 2018 – in the FA Vase Final - and he wrote himself into Anchors history by tucking away the crucial penalty in the Semi-Final Second Leg against Marske. Nathan is a technically good, all-round player, mobile, deceptively good in the air and can play in a variety of positions but operates mainly as an attacking or holding midfielder. He scores goals, is up there at the club for being a penalty expert and always contributes in every game.

Cameron Painter

Painter was Stockton’s third signing of the summer, arriving from National League North side Blyth Spartans. The midfielder, who can also play in defence at right back, was with the Anchors youth set up before heading to then-Football League club Grimsby Town.

The midfielder went on to sign a professional contract aged 18, also moving out on loan to Lincolnshire-based Spalding United, of the Northern Premier League, for three months in 2020. At just 20-years-old, Painter has bags of ability, and will bring a lot of versatility and energy to the Stockton team.

Tom Portas

Tom started his career at Middlesbrough’s youth Academy leaving at age 15. He played for Stockton Towns successful U16s before being picked up by Guisborough where he received a lot of attention. He joined Whitby Town in 2011 and won three Player of the Year awards at the club in season 2012/13.He signed for Darlington in the summer of 2014 and scored the goal of the season against Bamber Bridge. Tom starred in two consecutive promotions for the Quakers including winning the NPL Premier Title.

After missing most of the 2016/17 season with a bad injury, he left and spent last season at West Auckland. Tom is a mobile, all round, proven high quality, central midfielder who has a complete range of passing and dead ball skills.

FORWARDS Elliott Beddow

One of the highly sought-after strikers this summer, Beddow put pen to paper and become the club’s fourth signing of the summer. The marksman has spent the last two seasons playing in the Northern League, where he scored 31 goals in all competitions last season for the Blues – including 24 in the league to help his side finish third behind promoted clubs North Shields and Consett. Beddow began his senior career at Billingham Town as an 18-year-old in 2016 and was part of the Town side, which pipped Thornaby to the Northern League Division Two title in 2019. The striker then made the move across Teesside to Teesdale Park in 2020 and has featured against the Anchors for both Clubs.

With pace to burn, Beddow has no hesitation making those darting runs in behind the defence but can also hold the ball up well and bring others into the game. There’s no doubt that the former Thornaby man will make the step up to the Northern Premier League with ease and continue where he left off in the Northern League in front of goal.

Peter Bulmer

Peter previously played at Guisborough Town in the Northern League, where he won the North Riding Senior Cup. He then joined Marske United and played his part in winning the Northern League Division One title in 2018. Pete is an intelligent footballer who can play a variety of positions,

including full-back. He operates mainly as a wide attacker and with his pace, quick feet and close control he’s very difficult to defend against as he can go inside or outside comfortably.

Kev Hayes

Kev forced his way into the first team squad during the Northern League Second Division title winning season in 2017 with a string of impressive performances for the Under-18s and then continued that form to cement a regular starting place. Kev is the type of player that spectators want to see on the ball as much as possible, a naturally gifted wide attacker, who commits defenders with a drop of the shoulder, can go past players at very close quarters and has rocket of a left foot. The winger can play on either side of the pitch and with his work rate and regular goals, he is a vital member of the attacking part of the team. After some mesmerising performances on the way to the FA Vase Final in 2018, he was voted North East Young Player of the Year by the Sunday Sun.

Mikey Roberts

Mikey is a Stockton lad who had previously played at Guisborough Town, Spennymoor Town, Whitby Town and Marske United before returning home. He won the North Riding Senior Cup with both Guisborough and Whitby and then the Northern League Division One title with Marske in 2018. Quick, skilful and a good finisher with great technique, Mikey has a great work ethic and is always on the move and a nightmare to mark.

Lloyd Shobo

Shobo made his first-team debut against Worksop Town in April 2022, and has signed for the 2022/23 season, where he will continue developing as a player, learning from experienced marksmen like Stephen Thompson and Matty Tymon. The youngster has ability in abundance and after impressing with the Under-18 side over the last two seasons, first team manager Dunwell brought him into the squad.

Stephen Thompson

Stockton’s first statement signing of the summer came in the shape of former Spennymoor Town striker Thompson, who had gained promotion from the Northern Premier League East Division with Marske United last season.

Thompson has spent the last two seasons with Spennymoor but was with the Seasiders for the final two months of the campaign and made a successful impact as he claimed another promotion. The experienced marksman joined Darlington from Durham City back in 2012 and went on to become the joint-all-time top goalscorer with 100 goals and also the longest serving player in the club’s history. The striker can play up front, out wide or in the number 10 role, and has shown throughout his career that he can easily adapt to whichever role he is required to play in. The signing of Thompson is a big statement of intent from the Anchors, who will be aiming to rack up the goals in the 2022/23 season and go one better than last season.

Matty Tymon

Having saw two strikers depart in the summer, the Anchors were quick to snap up their summer targets, as Tymon become the second signing after Thompson. The former Marske United man spent the last two seasons with the Seasiders, where he went on to score 32 goals in 68 appearances. The striker featured against the Anchors three times last season and played a pivotal role in the Seasiders gaining promotion to Step 3 for the first time after a 2-1 win in the Play-off Final against Stockton.

The 32-year-old started his career with Hartlepool United and following a two-year spell with Workington, he made the move to Whitby Town, where he remained until 2020 before a move to Marske followed. Tymon is an out-and-out striker, who certainly knows where the back of the net is. He will bring bags of experience to the Stockton team and will be aiming to help the team go one better this season.

Squad Pen Pics The Colls

Lloyd started his senior career at Chesterfield in the football league He’s since gained experience in National League and NPL. A great shot stopper and has made a big impact since joining The Colls

Pat joins The Colls on loan from Football League club Hartlepool

United The Young stopper is from Pontefract and is with the club initially till Jan 2023

Club Captain Jack joined The Colls academy following leaving Bolton Wanderers He quickly joined the first team and made a big impression.

One of the clubs youngest captains, he is a massive part of how we play

Jake returns to Ponte this year after a spell at Worksop Town An experienced defender at this level, he’s a real leader and has the ability to chip in with a goal from the back.

A stalwart for us, Spencer is a real Rolls Royce of a footballer and a leader amongst the dressing room Vice Captain he is and has been a key component for The Colls over the years.

Our young player of the year last season, Jack has matured into a strong defender that can play either centre or left back. As well as reading the game well, it is his ability to bring the ball out which often catches the eye.

A product of the Chesterfield FC academy, following his arrival he has made a number of appearances and has more than handled himself at this level. He will go on to have a big future at the heart of defence

Another experienced head at the back, Ben joined the club in December 2021. The left sided defender featured heavily in the sides up turn in league form last season

One of our new recruits this season, Harry can feature anywhere across the back line. He joins the club following spells at Ashton United, Scarborough Athletic and York City

A Ponte unsung hero, now player assistant coach Jimmy is a combative player that can play anywhere in either defence or midfield, a real presence in the side.

Fabian is into his fifth straight season at Ponte

He is a real versatile player that can feature anywhere from defence to midfield

Scott Brown DF/MF

‘Browny’ is another player that can feature in the heart of defence or midfield, he’s always fire in the tackle but is also great with the ball at his feet. Made a real difference upon returning from a loan last year.

Versatile Fullback or Midfielder Adam joins the club from Liversedge, where he won a league and cup double last year. He has played for local rivals Tadcaster Albion and Ossett United as well as stints at Farsley Celtic and Harrogate Town

Jack Lazenby - MF

Jack is a ball playing midfielder that has a great range of passing and loves a crunching challenge A former Guiseley academy product, will be looking to kick on this year

Cody Cromack MF

Combative Deep lying midfielder, Cody returns for his second spell after enjoying success at the club Returns following spells at Worksop Town and Tadcaster Albion

Lloyd Allinson GK

Jack Greenhough DF

Jake Picton DF

Spencer Clarke DF

Jack Shepherd DF

Callum Brook DF

Ben Turner DF

Harry Spratt DF

Jimmy Williams DF/MF

Fabian Bailey DF/MF

Adam Porritt DF/MF

Pat Boyes GK

Squad Pen Pics The Colls

Mitch Rose - MF

An engine in the midfield of the park, he has played a number of times in the football league as well as for Non League clubs higher up the pyramid. A player that adds quality and experience.

Jack Vann MF

Vanny joined Ponte last summer and made a real impression, a real cog in The Colls engine room controlling the midfield Ran a one man goal of the season competition last year with two fine strikes

James Baxendale MF

Another midfielder that comes alive in the final third, made a number of Football League appearance for Walsall before moving down the pyramid. He’s back for his second stint at Ponte and will look to add goals and assists Recently also joined the coaching staff as First Team Coach

Gavin Rothery MF

Midfield dynamo and now Head Coach, Gavin is a midfield dynamo and makes his impact when dancing passed defenders Missed parts of last season through injury but when for another key component to our side

Josh Nodder - MF

'Nodds' joins the club from Sheffield FC, Josh is an attacking winger that loves to get forward and has reuglarly chipped in with goals and assists. A great additions to the squad and will provide more depth and experience to our squad.

Mikey Dunn - FW

’Magic Mikey’ a defenders nightmare, this lad on his day can be one of the best players in the league He’s footwork and speed often leave defenders on the floor He’s enjoyed a bright preseason will look to add to his NPL tally of goals this season

A Gibraltar International who has 17 caps and a goal for his country, Adam has a great pedigree and has scored goals for each club he’s been at A fast intelligent forward, he’ll be looking to chip in with plenty of goals and assists

Joe Lumsden FW

Another striker that knows where the back of the net is He rejoined the club last spring and will be looking to add to his tally from last campaign and his previous spell at Ponte

Young forward Greaves joins following spells at clubs higher up the pyramid after his release from Rotherham United The 6ft 4 striker knows where the net is and will be competing for a starting role

Gavin Allott FW

A proper old fashioned no. 9, Gav joins Ponte after winning the league last year with Liversedge. Another man that’s goal record speaks for itself and he’ll no doubt cause many issues for opposing defences

Craig Rouse - Manager

Now in his second season as manager at Ponte, previously a goalscoring player then assistant coach as Colls went through their most successful years Now looking to guide the club to more success

Lee Kelsey - GK Coach

An experienced coach with a UEFA B License as a coach and Keeper Coach Lee is also our Head of Academy and Community and is lead coach for our Scholars during the week

Megan has stayed on for her second season with Ponte as Head Physiotherapis, she works closely with Craig Rouse and the lads to ensure they remain in the best condition

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C O L L I E R I E S

L L

R

S

Adam Priestley FW

Megan Parsley - Phsyio

Jerome Greaves FW

FANS FORUM

Each week we will give a fan of either The Colls or our opponents the chance to discuss their team and what they love the most about Non League Football. This week we will speak to David Walton (Pontefract Collieries Supporter)

David tell us first of all why you follow Pontefract Collieries and how you found out about them?

Pontefract is my local team where I live and I’ve followed them for last six years, knowing quite a few of the players having played with and against them in sunday league football.

What is it about Non League football that you enjoy the most?

I love non league football because I know I’ll never be disappointed. You are always guaranteed entertainment of goals, cards, dirty tackles, fights and if all that fails you can always rely on the ponte Colls fans for a good laugh and banter throughout the game all for a reasonable price.

Can you tell us about your favourite experience/match in Non League (so far)?

My favourite matches to date were the play semi final win 3 1 at home to Ossett , it was a great evening and the atmosphere was electric and also the home 0 0 draw in the FA cup last season at home to Halifax The stadium was packed out and the lads were awesome that day and was unlucky not to win.

Finally, We’re well into the season now, what do you make of the start to the season?

I think the squad has improved incredibly since last season, the new signings have really helped us climb higher in the league and also great to see some old faces return back to the Colls this season. I feel if they continue how they have been this season we should look forward to a promotion/play off spot. Big shout out to Spencer Clarke too since I’ve watched him play, forever consistent with his performances and hope he never retires!

H E C O L L I E R I E S

P

Fixture

Garforth Town

Grimsby Borough

Date Result

06/08 13/08 16/08

1

Att

Players

Allinson Picton Spratt Clarke Turner Williams Vann Baxendale Rothery

(pen)

0 277 Allinson Greenhough Spratt Picton Turner Williams Vann Baxendale Dunn

Hebburn Town

1 236 Allinson Greenhough Turner Picton Clarke Spratt Vann Baxendale Priestley

Stockton Town 20/08 FAC

3 Allinson Greenhough Turner Picton Clarke Spratt Vann Brown 4Rothery 82

Consett

Lincoln United Ossett United

Charnock Richard 03/09

Charnock Richard North Shields

Dunston

Comp FAC FAT Chester FC Brighouse Town

Shildon AFC

North Shields

NPL NPL NPL NPL Cleethorpes Town

Stockton Town 18/10

Grantham Town Bridlington Town Sheffield FC

Carlton Town

Tadcaster Albion

Long Eaton United Worksop Town

Brighouse Town Grimsby Borough Stocksbridge PS

Ossett United Hebburn Town Consett Worksop Town Shildon AFC

Stockton Town

Dunston Cleethorpes Town

North Shields

Grantham Town

Bridlington Town Sheffield FC

Carlton Town Lincoln United Stocksbridge PS

Long Eaton United

Tadcaster Albion

23/08 27/08 29/08 06/09 10/09 13/09 27/09 04/10 08/10 15/10 22/10 29/10 05/11 12/11 19/11 26/11 03/12 10/12 17/12 26/12 02/01 07/01 14/01 28/01 04/02 07/02 18/02 28/02 04/03 18/03 25/03 01/04 08/04 10/04 15/04 22/04

1 323 Allinson Greenhough Spratt Picton Clarke Williams Vann Baxendale Dunn Allott

Allinson Greenhough Spratt Picton Clarke Brown Vann Bailey 2Allott 2 128 Rothery

Allinson Greenhough Spratt Picton Clarke Shepherd Vann Baxendale 5Dunn 27

Allinson Picton Spratt Brown Shepherd Bailey Vann Rothery Priestley

ABaxendale llinson Bailey Shepherd Picton Clarke Williams SVann pratt Allott

216 Boyes Brook Turner Clarke Baxendale PPriestley icton Brown Rothery Allott

FAC NPL NPL NPL NPL NPL NPL

NPL NPL NPL NPL NPL NPL NPL

FAC 21/01

Allinson Greenhough Spratt Picton Clarke Brown Vann Baxendale Priestley Rothery

Allinson Greenhough Spratt Clarke Turner Cromack Vann RBaxendale ose Lumsden

Allinson Greenhough Spratt Clarke Shepherd Cromack Vann RRothery ose

Dunn

Boyes Greenhough Turner Clarke Shepherd Williams Spratt RBaxendale ose

Boyes Greenhough Turner Clarke Shepherd Picton Spratt VBaxendale ann

NPL

Dunn Lumsden Subs Bailey

Lazenby Brook (Brown Baxendale 63') (Williams 74') (Dunn 83')

Allott Lumsden Subs Bailey (Porritt 75') Priestley (Porritt 75') Porritt (Williams 73') Rothery Brookx3

Allott Lumsden Subs Dunn (Lumsden 66') Rothery (Baxendale 74') Brook Bailey Williams

Allott Lumsden Subs Dunn (Brown 66') Priestley (Lumsden 87') Williams Baxendale (Rothery 66') Bailey Brook Shepherd

Priestley Subs Brook Bailey (Vann 45') Brown (Williams 71') Rothery (Baxendale 66') Lumsden

Priestley Subs Lumsden Baxendale Williams Brook (Shepherd Allott 74') (Brown 76') (Priestley 76')

x2 Allott Lumsden Subs Priestley (Allott 78') Rothery (Baxendale 45') Brook Bailey (Dunn 85') Brown

Dunn Subs Allott (Lumsden 57') Kelsey Williams Baxendale (Priestley 57') Brook (Brown 57') LTurner umsden Lumsden Subs Priestley (Allott 86') Dunn (Bailey 45') Rothery (Williams 70') Brook Brown

Lumsden Subs Dunn (Priestley 72') Kelsey Brook (Brown 68') Porritt (Lumsden 90') Falk Adamson Bailey

Dunn Subs Greaves (Cromack 82') Rothery (Baxendale 76') Priestley (Lumsden 64') Brook Brownx2 Lumsden Subs Greaves (Lumsden 65') Baxendale

Picton (Greenhough 86') PWilliams riestley (Rose 66')

Greaves Subs Rothery (Greaves 42') Picton Brook ABaileyPllott riestley (Williams 73') (Baxendale 76') Priestley x2 SubsAllott Lumsden (Allott 62') Brook Bailey (Priestley 84') Nodder (Baxendale 68') Williams