DIRECTORS:
Chairman: David Dent
Secretary: Martyn Tweddle | programme@shildonafc.com
Treasurer: Diane Dent
Director of Football: John Reay
Director of Operations: Michael Wilson
Tony Bennett
Brian Burn
Norman Smith
Paul Mulley
Carolyn Mulley
Ian Clinton
Board Advisor: Rick Marsden
The Club is under the significant control and ownership of our Chairman, David Dent, and our Treasurer, Diane Dent.
President: John Atkinson
Enquiries:
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE J DENHAM METALS STADIUM AT DEAN STREET:
CLUB HISTORY:
FORMED in 1890 as Shildon Town, the Railwaymen joined the Auckland and District League two years later and in 1894 merged with the Rangers and Heroes to become Shildon United. In 1900, the club played in the new Northern League Division Two but folded that season due to financial problems – as did the Second Division.
A re-formed club joined the Northern League in 1903 to replace Stockton St John’s. In 1907, Shildon joined the semi-professional ranks of the North Eastern League, finishing second in season 1932/33.
Before WWII the club won four successive Northern League Division One titles; a record that stood until overhauled by Blyth in 1984. In 1937 the team was unbeaten on their march to the title with Jack Downing firing in a record 61 league and cup goals.
A replay win at York City in 1927/28 saw the club reach the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time. In the first round, they have also played Brentford, Doncaster Rovers, Lincoln City, Scunthorpe United, and Oldham Athletic three times. The last time the club reached the first round was in 2003/04, losing out 7-2 against Notts County. The club also reached the second round, in 1936/37 against Dartford.
The Dean Street turnstiles and distinctive grandstand were erected in 1923. A £45,000 grant saw new dressing rooms and a social club built beneath the stand 60 years later.
Shildon won the Second Division championship in 2001/02, scoring 135 goals, and finished runners-up in two cup competitions. The following season they won the Northern League Challenge Cup with a 3-2 golden goal victory over Billingham Synthonia at Feethams.
Tragedy struck the club in February 2004 when 26-year-old player, Lee Hainsworth was killed in a road accident on his way to training. He had been with the club for six years. The Brown Street stand was renamed in his memory.
Bill Aisbitt, a lifelong stalwart at the club, died in June 2003 and the boardroom was named in his honour after over 50 years of loyal service.
At the end of the 2004 season, the Railwaymen came under serious threat through financial difficulties when the former chairman severed all ties with the club. At the end of the season, all the players and the manager left the club, leaving it crippled.
But during the close season, the club appointed a new chairman, Brian Burn who ensured its survival. The club survived a relegation scare and since then has gone from strength to strength.
In 2012-13, the club reached two cup semi-finals. A depleted side lost in the Durham Challenge Cup to Spennymoor Town. The match brought an end to the playing career of midfielder Chris Hughes after he suffered a knee injury. And there was more heartbreak as the side narrowly missed a dream day out at Wembley after losing their two-legged FA Vase semi-final to a late extra-time goal in the second leg at home.
In season 2013-14, the management team further strengthened the playing squad, bringing in several experienced players in a determined move to bring silverware back to Dean Street for the first time. The investment paid off with the club narrowly missing out on the league title, remaining competitive until the final weeks of the season.
But the club was able to avenge the semi-final defeat of the previous season when they faced Spennymoor Town in the final of the Durham Challenge Cup. On a historic Good Friday, Shildon striker, Billy Greulich-Smith added a new chapter to the club’s history books with two late goals – the winner in added time at the end of the 90 minutes – to overcome their local rivals by two goals to one. After missing out on the Northern League Championship in the 2014-15 season by one point, the team re-grouped and won the Northern League Cup and became Champions of the Northern League the following season.
Following the sudden departure of the Management Team, Chairman David Dent appointed Daniel Moore in January 2017 and Moore guided us to 3rd position in the League and a Durham Challenge Cup Semi-Final.
The first piece of silverware came at the start of the 2018/19 season with a 4-1 Penalty victory against Dunston UTS in the JR Cleator Cup. This season ended with another top 6 finish and finished as it started, with silverware coming back to Dean Street in the form of the Durham Challenge Cup, a 1-0 win against South Shields FC at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
For the 2021/22 season, and after 2,896 games in the Northern League, the Club was promoted to Step 4 of the Football Pyramid (Northern Premier League – East), the highest level the Club has ever played at.
The Club’s first season in the PitchingIn Northern Premier League East proved to be relatively successful with a top five finish, securing a play-off place. Unfortunately the play-off was lost to Marske United FC in extra time, who would eventually go on to be promoted to the Northern Premier League – Premier.
The Club has made significant improvements to the facilities at Dean Street. In April 2022 the Club launched the Shildon AFC Community Interest Company, aiming to extend even further the reach of the Club into the local community. Alongside this was the official opening of the ‘Community Garden’ a 2G playing surface created to provide an all-year round outdoor facility for the local community.
In July 2022 work was completed on the construction of a brand new changing block replacing the undersized and outdated facilities under the main stand at Dean Street. The old changing rooms have been converted into additional toilets for supporters.
Season 2022/23 was the Railwaymen’s second season in the Northern Premier League East which, despite an improved second half of the season, saw the Club relegated to the Northern League Division 1 on the final day.
A first season back in the Northern League finished with the Railwaymen in second place behind local rivals Bishop Auckland. Unfortunately in the play offs the Club were beaten by West Auckland Town FC.
In the summer of 2024 new floodlights were installed.
CLUB POLICIES:
Shildon AFC Safeguarding Policy
Shildon AFC CIC Safeguarding Policy
Policy on Ejections & Club Bans
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