Category: News

Shildon dares to dream!

When Shildon defeated their local rivals, Bishop Auckland to win the Durham Challenge Cup for the second time in 1925-26 (the first victory coming in 1907-08 as Shildon Athletic) little did they know that it would take another 41 seasons (the intervention of the Second Word War cancelling all competitive football for several years) before they would see their name etched on the cup again.

In the 1971-1972 season, the patient Shildon fans once more celebrated with their players as they proudly held the trophy aloft after overcoming Durham City.

Now another 41 seasons have passed and Shildon are once more in the final, this time against another local rival, Spennymoor Town. If history was written by numbers, then those numbers are surely aligning themselves for the Railwaymen.

The players have given their all this season, reaching heights that no one would have credited them with after a stuttering start to their league and cup campaigns. But if any group of players deserved some reward for their efforts this season, it is surely this group of Dean Street’s finest for many a year.

Gaffer, Gary Forrest, has taken the club from relegation candidates to league and cup challengers and now, on the eve of an historic day, the fans dare to dream!

A new chapter in the history of Shildon Football Club is ready to be written, and this group of players are ready to write it. We wish them every good fortune on the field of play tomorrow as they attempt to turn theirs and our dreams into reality.

The Durham Challenge Cup Final will kick off at 10.45am on Good Friday at Billingham Synthonia’s Central Avenue Stadium. Entry is just £5 and £2 concessions.

Dare to dream with the Railwaymen!

 

Gary Forrest interview

Last night Shildon played their last home match of a wonderfully successful season. To date the side are second in the league and halve the best away record of any side. After the match, Archie MacKay spoke to Gary Forrest about the game, the season and the forthcoming Durham Challenge Cup final on Friday:

https://audioboo.fm/boos/2077174-gary-forrest-interview

Shildon v Dunston: Gary Forrest and Ben Wood

Gary Forrest and Ben Wood speak to Shildon AFC match programme editor, Archie MacKay after Wednesday night’s 1-0 Northern League Division One win over Dunston UTS at Dean Street:

Gary Forrest:

Ben Wood (with apologies for sound quality)

Gary Forrest interview: Shildon v Morpeth

Shildon manager, Gary Forrest reflects on the Railwaymen’s home draw against Morpeth.

With all Shildon’s title rivals also dropping points, the Railwaymen were disappointed not to exploit an advantage. Gary expresses his frustration at the decision to allow play to go on in the lead up to Morpeth’s equaliser and at the condition of the Dean Street surface.

Gary Forrest: Shildon v Morpeth

Supporters Club issues over £1,200 in grants to local community

It’s a very special day for Shildon AFC Supporters Club tomorrow (15 March) as they welcome several local community groups to Shildon’s home Northern League match against Morpeth Town.

The Supporters Club launched the Shildon AFC Supporters Club Lotto, which is drawn weekly, at the beginning of the 2013-14 season. Since its introduction it has distributed over £3,000 in prize money and this week will be distributing its first grant funding to local community groups.

Shildon AFC Supporters Club Chairman, Russell Henderson said: “Tomorrow is a special day and we are delighted to be welcoming seven local community groups, who all successfully applied to our small grants fund, to Shildon’s home match, where they will collect their cheques.

“Putting money back into the local community is our top priority and this is the first time we are able to distribute money from the grant fund, although it won’t be the last. The lottery runs every week, all year round, and the more players there are, the more money we will be able to re-invest back into the local community.

“When new funds are available we will let the community know through local press outlets, but we hope to be able to announce an additional round of funding to coincide with each time the lottery jackpot is won.

“The fund is open to all small local groups and we are especially interested in helping groups who don’t have access to other means of funding such as the National Lottery. Anyone who runs a small group and needs funds for items such as equipment or to fund a group trip, for example, or any other reason is very welcome to apply. The maximum grant a group can apply for is £200 in one year. ”

At tomorrow’s match, the lottery will be distributing over £1,200 in total grant funding to the following local community groups:

Shildon Community Safety
Kay’s Hill Animal Sanctuary
Bishop Auckland Hospital Radio
Prince Bishops Primary School Community Garden
Shildon Community Garden
The Monday Club and
Jubilee Community Centre

The lottery manages a facebook page which contains full details of how to participate and includes a weekly draw announcement immediately after each draw. The page can be found by searching Facebook for Shildon AFC Supporters Lotto or by going directly to facebook.com/safcslotto.

Free Foundation of Light course in Shildon

Starting on the 20th March, the Foundation of Light will be delivering a brand new NEET programme which is aimed at young people in South Durham aged 16-19.

Foundations in Shildon is the venue for delivery and the course will run on a Thursday and Friday from 10am – 3pm for 12 weeks.

Lunches and travel expenses are provided to the young people and they will take part in a varied mix of sporting and cultural activities including completion of an accredited BTEC qualification.

Get in touch with Foundation of Light at Shildon, at the contact details below to chat about or register your interest in the course.