Month: April 2015

ENL 1 – Bedlington Terriers Result

It Was Not To Be

Shildon AFC dreams of winning the EBAC Northern League for the first time in 75 years were shattered on Wednesday 29th April 2015 when they were held to a 1 – 1 draw at Bedlington Town. The Railwaymen needed all three points to lift the title.

Marske are now champions on 90 points with Shildon one point behind on 89.

Prior to kick off the match had been labelled a formality for Shildon as Terriers were in free fall and were winless in 11 games prior to tonight.

Shildon dominated play from the start with Terriers defending in numbers throughout the game.

After chances from Mark Doinger, Billy Greulich-Smith and Mark Hudson, against the run of play, Terriers were ahead on 32 minutes when a through ball found Lee Scott, who looked to be well off-side, as he fired a left foot shot past keeper Lewis Graham.

Half Time:  Bedlington Terriers  1  Shildon AFC  0

In the second half Shildon continued to control the play and were rewarded on 64 minutes when a cross from Ben Wood was headed home by Billy Greulich-Smith for 1 – 1.

It was one way traffic as Shildon searched for the winner. Despite corner after corner and missed chances the final whistle blew and the deflated Railwaymen had failed to capitalise on their superiority.

Final Score:  Bedlington Terriers  1  Shildon AFC  1

Goalscorer:  Greulich-Smith 64.

Subs:  Emms for Doninger 46, Atkin for Hudson 77.

Bookings:  (Y) Scroggins 47, Greulich-Smith 51.

A very, very disappointing result. We had 80% of the play yet failed to win the game.

Man-of-The-Match

ENL 1 – Bedlington Terriers Preview

bedlington

Venue

Welfare Park
Park Road
Bedlington
NE22 5DP

Match Day

29th April 2015
Kick Off: 19:30

Admission Prices
Adults £TBC
Concessions £TBC

Current League Position –  17th ENL1
P 41  W 13  D 4  L 24  F 74  A 96  Pts 43

Last Match Played
25th April 2015 – ENL 1
Bedlington Terriers 2 Celtic Nation 6

Facts
Founded: 1949
Nickname: Terriers
Record Attendance: 2,400 v Colchester United, FA Cup 1st round 1998
Joined Northern League: 1982-83
Home Colours: Red shirt, shorts and socks
Away Colours:
Website: http://www.bedlingtonterriersfc.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BTFCOfficial
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/bedlingtonterriersfc

History of Bedlington Terriers FC taken from www.bedlingtonterriersfc.com

Football teams have been around in Bedlington since the early 1900’s. The present club was formed in 1949 under the name of Bedlington Mechanics joining the Northern Combination League. The first honour of the new era was the Northumberland Minor Cup in season 1953/54 and they followed this up with their only Northern Combination title in 1954/55. During these years they changed their name from Mechanics to Colliery Town and then as Bedlington Colliery Welfare they joined the Northern Alliance League in 1955/56.

They spent 8 seasons in this league before disbanding at the end of the 1962/63 season. During this spell they won their first Northern Alliance League Cup. During this period they played their home games at West Sleekburn ‘A’ Pit. In 1965 the club re-formed as Bedlington Colliery Welfare and moved to Milnes Park staying there three seasons before moving to the present location of Dr. Pit Welfare Park. In the 1966/67 season the club did the “double” in the Northern Alliance League and in 1969/70 won their third League Cup final. At the end of the 1970/71 season they had to leave the Northern Alliance and played in a number of minor local leagues until season 1979/80. For this season they joined the Tyneside Amateur League under the name of Bedlington United and in 1980/81 were re-admitted to the Northern Alliance League.

They won their fourth Northern Alliance League Cup in season 1981/82 and in the next season were elected as founder members of the Northern League 2nd Division winning promotion to the 1st Division in season 1984/85 as division runners-up. In their first season in the 1st division they finished runners-up but sadly in the next season they were relegated back to the 2nd division. The club spluttered along in the next few seasons and early in 1993 faced the real prospect of going out of business as they were marooned at the bottom of the 2nd division and had their fixtures suspended by the league for a month. Bedlington stalwart Billy Ward with almost 40 years at the helm approached local businessmen Dave and Keith Perry and asked them to mount a rescue operation. What happened next is the stuff dreams are made of.

With extinction ruled out the Terriers as they had been renamed stormed back and in the very next season won the 2nd division title. Sadly, Billy Ward had departed this world and missed this renaissance although his memory still burns bright at the club. Consolidation followed and gradually the tide turned. In 1996/97 the club marched to St. James Park and picked up the NFA Senior Cup beating Morpeth Town 2 – 0 in the final. The same season saw them win the Northern League Cup by defeating Billingham Synthonia 3 – 0 in the final. In season 1997/98 it got even better as the Terriers ran away with the 1st Division title by a clear 12 points scoring 120 goals in only 38 games. They completed the season by retaining the NFA Senior Cup defeating Blyth Spartans 2 – 1 in the final at St. James Park.

The 1998/99 season was Bedlington’s 50th year since the club was formed and what a season it was. It started with a Cleator Cup win over Dunston Fed and continued with a march to the second round proper of the F.A. Cup after defeating Colchester United of the Football League Division Two 4 – 1 in round one before finally falling away at Scunthorpe where the “Woof Woof Terriers” chant was born. The league title was retained this time with 26 points to spare, 128 goals and 101 points. The other story of the season was the F.A. Carlsberg Vase where the Terriers marched all the way to Wembley Stadium for a day in the club’s history never to be forgotten. A last minute goal from opponents Tiverton Town denied them the trophy but with an open top bus ride to follow on the return, 1998/99 was the year that Bedlington Terriers put themselves firmly on the footballing map.

The coming seasons were still successful, but a return trip to the FA Vase final was just that little too far out of reach with Quarter final and Semi Final appearances still ensuring they were one of the top sides at that level in the country.

Meanwhile, the Northern League title in total was won for five consecutive seasons, equalling the run of Blyth Spartans when they were sweeping all before them and were just pipped to the post in the sixth season by Brandon United. Along with the Northern League titles, Bedlington also won the League Cup in 2001 and the Northumberland Senior Cup in 2002 and 2004.

With such success in the previous years, there was always going to be a period of change and that started during the 2005/6 season when mass changes started to happen behind the scenes. The team still managed to reach the FA Vase fourth round but things were not well and in the close season Bedlington entered a very dark few months which almost saw the team disappear forever.

A summer of trauma ensued as the club veered on the edge of extinction, and the eventual departure of the unimaginably successful management partnership of Keith Perry and Tony Lowery, until current Chairman David Holmes stepped in along with local businessman Graeme Redpath, steadied the ship, and showed the way to a brighter future.

Even a serious arson attack on the Clubhouse, soon after the takeover, couldn’t dent the determination to get Bedlington Terriers back on track. However, the effects of the summer of trauma had it’s impact on the pitch, as a squad of mainly teenagers found it difficult to compete against much more experienced teams. Facing almost certain relegation heading into April 2007, a stunning finish to the season saw them lift up to third bottom in the table. With Newcastle Blue Star heading for the Unibond League, it meant that only two clubs were relegated and the Terriers were reprieved. However by November things had not progressed as hoped and Tom Wade left the club. A week later it was announced that the management duo of Perry and Lowery were back to help the Terriers climb the table once again, with Holmes leading the club.

After finishing 7th in Div 1 of the Northern League at the end of the 2011 – 2012 season, Dave Holmes resigned as Chairman of the club with local businessman Ronan Liddane taking over the reigns. Ronan has a fine footballing pedigree, having played for teams such as Blyth Spartans, Blue Star and having Managed Crook Town.

ENL 1 – Durham City Result

Just One Win Away

Shildon AFC are now just one win away from winning the Northern League championship after a nervy 3 – 1 home win against Durham City on Saturday 25th April 2015.

The Railwaymen travel to Bedlington Terriers knowing three points will lift them the title for the first time since 1940.

Shildon started nervously and went behind after just 8 minutes when Walid Abeid’s shot was punched out by keeper Lewis Graham for Ryan Noble to fire in the rebound.

Shildon were level 10 minutes later when a Mark Doninger shot was handled in the box by Nathan Lawrence and Lee Scroggins converted the spot kick.

Shildon settled down and started playing their normal passing game, taking the lead before the half hour when a JohnBrackstone cross found Billy Greulich-Smithj whose header was parried out by keeper Harkess for Billy to fire back into the roof of the net.

Both keepers were kept busy with Shildon’s keeper saving from Patton and Durham’s  from Paul Connor.

On 45 minutes a curling shot from Durham’s Callum Patton hit the bar.

Half Time:  Shildon AFC  2  Durham City  1

The second half turned out to be the same as the first half, end to end stuff.

On 47 minutes a long range drive from Patton was headed off the line by Daniel Moore, before  Shildon made it 3 – 1 when a left cross from Chris Emms found man-of-the-match Paul Connor whose perfect left foot shot beat keeper Harkess.

Shildon’s keeper Lewis Graham made two further saves, with Shildon controlled the play during the last 15 minutes. Near the end Ben Wood hit the bar and Mark Hudson had a free header.

Final Score:  Shildon AFC  3  Durham City  1

Goalscorers:  Scroggins 18, Greulich-Smith 27, Connor 55.

Subs:  Hodgson for Doninger 61, Wood for Emms 73, Richardson for Connor 89.

Bookings: (Y)  Moore 23, Harwood 29

After the match manager Gary Forrest said “We were a bit nervous at the start but we showed great spirit and got back to our normal game. We still have one game to play and we haven’t won anything yet. We need to stay focused and adopt the same attitude as we’ve been showing during the last few games”.

Man-of-The-Match

ENL 1 – Durham City Preview

durham

Venue

Dean Street
Shildon
DL4 1EZ

Match Day

21st April 2015
Kick Off: 19:30

Admission Prices
Adults £6.00
Concessions £4.00
Children under 16 free

Current League Position –  12th ENL1
P 41  W 17  D 7  L 17  F 75  A 73  Pts 58

Last Match Played
18th April 2015 – ENL 1
Durham City 0 Ashington 2

Facts
Founded: 1949
Nickname: City
Record Attendance:
Joined Northern League: 2012-13
Home Colours: Yellow shirt, blue shorts and socks
Away Colours:
Website: http://www.durhamcityafc.com/index.php
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TheCitizensAFC
Facebook:

Durham City A.F.C. – A Brief History (taken from www.durhamcityafc.com)

The club was first inaugurated in the 1918-1919 season and for that season only, operated in the old Victory league, which was formed in celebration of the end of the First World War. Subsequently the team was admitted to the North Eastern League where they played for two seasons before being admitted to Division 3 North in 1921. The club operated in that league until 1928, when they failed to gain re-election and were replaced by Carlisle United F.C. The club immediately rejoined the North Eastern League where they stayed until 1938 when, due to financial constraints, the club was forced to disband. They then became members of the Wearside League but again disbanded in November 1938. The club reformed in 1950 and gained admission to the Wearside League, where they operated until 1952 before joining the Northern League where they remained until 2008. At the end of the 2007/08 season, their second Championship winning season the club finally achieved promotion to the UniBond First Division North.

The club has occupied five different grounds since it’s formation. In their first season the club played at Garden House Park (almost where County Hall now stands) before moving to Kepier Heughs, near to the old Ferens Park ground where they stayed for four seasons. The club then moved on to Holliday Park (named after the late Alderman T.W. Holliday), on Framwellgate Waterside, where they stayed until they disbanded in 1938. The club’s fourth ground, named after the late Alderman H.C. Ferens, was acquired when the club reformed in 1950. Alderman Ferens was for many years, prior to his death in 1975, President of the club and a generous benefactor in connection with the purchase of the land for that ground. Ferens Park was at that time probably one of the most attractive grounds in the Northern League. Set in rural surroundings its facilities included a comfortable clubhouse, a covered stand and floodlights. This ground also hosted the club’s largest attendance, which stands at 7,000, for an F.A. Cup Second Round tie against Tranmere Rovers on 7 November 1957 which City lost 0-3.

City left Ferens Park at the end of their first Championship winning season in 1993-94 but because their ground wasn’t completed on time they were unable to join the Northern Premier League. After ground-sharing with Chester-le-Street Town for a season the club moved to its fifth and current ground – New Ferens Park. Situated in Belmont on the outskirts of the city the purpose built stadium is easily accessible from all major roads, boasts a two storey clubhouse, a 300-seater stand, which also provides covered accommodation for 600 standing spectators, and excellent floodlights.

In the 2007-08 season, City were crowned Northern league Champions for only the second time in their history. This was rewarded with promotion and they duly took their rightful place in the Northern Premier League.

In 2008-09, and at the first time of asking they became Unibond League 1st Division North Champions.

The squad was strengthened during the summer months and yet another successful season looked to be on the cards when the Club’s major sponsor pulled out after only the second game in the Premier League. With no funds to cover expenses etc. there followed an exodus of players. This left the Club only one option in it’s fight for survival.

Players, most of whom were aged between 16-18, from the local academy stepped in and although the Club finished bottom of the league with zero points (even though two victories were notched up) this ensured not only the completion of the fixture list but more importantly, the survival of the Club.

 

The following season was one of consolidation as the club slowly started to rebuild and a lot of hard work and dedication, both on and off the pitch, saw the club gradually re-establish itself. The team management put together a young side and were rewarded with a creditable 9th position finish to the 2011/12 season.

 

However the constant travelling to away games up and down the A1 and the costs involved began to take its toll and a difficult decision had to be made to once again ensure the survival of the Club. At the end of the season it was announced that Durham City AFC had resigned from the Northern Premier League. The Northern Premier League, the FA and the Northern League were all sympathetic and the Club was once again accepted as a member of the Northern League for the 2012/13 season.

In December 2013 former Newcastle United defender Olivier Bernard took over Durham City AFC with a vision of it becoming a community club comprising youth teams from age 6 upwards as well as a reserves team. The intention being to bring success back to the Club which he believes is long overdue and he targets promotion to the National Conference League within 5 – 7 years. 

The arrival of Olivier sparked a turn around in results with the Club looking to finish the 2013/14 season well into the top half of the table.