SHILDON AT HOME IN FA CUP AND FA VASE

By Archie MacKay from Shildon & District Town Crier

Shildon Football Club have been drawn at home in both their opening FA Cup competitions this season.

In the FA Cup, the Railwaymen will face an old foe in Garforth Town AFC, who they met previously at the same Extra Preliminary Round stage of the competition in the 2013/14 season.

On that occasion, away from home, Shildon comfortably progressed to the next stage, winning 4-1 with goals from Ben Wood, Sam Hodgson, Jamie Harwood and Darren Richardson.

If they progress on this occasion, they will host another familiar name in Colne FC, who they last met in 2014/15 in the FA Vase, also away from home and also progressed, winning that tie 3-2 after extra time having come from behind twice in the game. A Ben Wood double and a Paul Connor goal sealed the win in a hugely entertaining game.

Meanwhile, the Railwaymen will face near neighbours, Tow Law Town in the FA Vase with the winners drawn away to the victors in the match between Easington and Holker.

The last competitive game between the Railwaymen and the Lawyers took place in the 2014/15 League Cup when Shildon ran out 0-4 winners. Manager Daniel Moore was the man of the match that day, scoring twice with Ben Wood and Adam Rundle also on the scoresheet.

The FA Cup tie between Shildon and Garforth, kicking off at 3pm, will take place at Dean Street on Saturday 10th August with the winners receiving prize money of £2,250.

The FA Vase First Qualifying Round tie against Tow Law, also at 3pm at Dean Street, will take place on Saturday 31st August. The winners receive prize money of £550.

Open training session at Dean Street

With the cancellation of the Blackpool v Spennymoor friendly, the Shildon players will be having an open training session held at Dean Street on Saturday from 1pm.

Why not come along and watch the coaching staff put the players through their paces before our game this Tuesday at home to Spennymoor.

There will also be opportunities to meet, ask questions and have your photo taken with the players and management.

Season tickets will be on sale as well as the ability to renew your Supporters Club membership. The supporters club will also be taking names for the bus travelling to watch the pre-season match at Carlton on the 20th July.

Everyone who comes along will also get a free pie with their first drink.

Three sign long term deals

Three of our current squad have now committed there futures to Shildon by signing new long term deals.

Midfielder & Captain Ben Trotter (26), Full Back Aidan Heywood (21) and Centre Half Dominic Curl (19) have all signed new contracts.

Our Full squad for the 2019/20 Season to date is

Ben Trotter
Matty Robson
Daniel Craggs
Kurt Matthews
Shaun Newbrook
Nathan Steel
Aaron Duell
Ben Reay
David Palmer
Dom Curl
Dale Mulligan
Billy Greulich-Smith
Bryan Wood
Zak Atkinson
Dane Eltringham
Chay Liddle
Aidan Heywood
Jack Vaulks
Jordan Lavery

New Signing |Kurt Matthews

The 4th signing of the season is Kurt Matthews

Kurt who can play on either wing or as a central striker has spent the last 2 seasons at Newton Aycliffe. As a schoolboy he also played at Leeds United

Speaking to the website Daniel Moore said of the signing ” Kurt is an ambitious young player that will grow and develop with us and is keen to make an impact at the club. His pace and athleticism in wide and central areas gives us a great option going forward “

On both of today’s signings he said ” I’m delighted to get Chay and Kurt on board and look forward to working with them. I think we have assembled a group now that should be challenging  for promotion so it’s down to the staff and the players to deliver that. “

Welcome to the club.

Chay Liddle signs for the Railwaymen

Chay Liddle has agreed to sign for Shildon AFC from Marske United.

The defensive midfielder becomes the third pre-season signing,

Chay signed for Marske United from Billingham Synthonia in the summer of 2017, is an intelligent defensive midfielder who reads the game well. He played a key part in their title-winning campaign of 2017/18.

His previous clubs also include Spennymoor Town & Guisborough Town.

Shildon Manager Daniel Moore said “Chay seems to have been around forever but at 27 he still has the best years ahead of him. He is professional in his approach and he understands what it takes to win trophies and promotion. He will add very good qualities down the spine of the team.”

Welcome to the club Chay.

Shildon AFC Supporters Club, Dean Street spruce up weekend @shildonfans



Shildon AFC Supporters Club is calling for volunteers who can spare any amount of time to help with the club’s annual spruce up in preparation for the coming season.

The weekend spruce up will take place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th  June, from 9am onwards each day.

The weekend will involve a general clean up around the ground as well as painting of the perimeter boards.

Volunteers are asked, wherever possible to bring along any spare tins of white paint they may have, paintbrushes and rollers.

Equipment will also be provided for those who cannot bring any along.



Aidan Heywood agrees new long term contract

We are delighted that Aidan Heywood has agreed to a new long term contract with Shildon AFC.

Aidan was last season Supporters player of the year, Managers player of the year and Players player of the year.

He made 39 appearances scoring 5 goals and had several man of the match performances including the Durham Challenge Cup Final against South Shields.

Shildon AFC Pre-Season Friendlies 2019/20

We will open our pre-season fixtures on Thursday 4th July at Dean Street with a 7:30pm kick off against Shildon BR who last season were Durham Minor Cup, Norman Wright Cup, Weardale Cup and Alan Britton Cup winners.

On Saturday 6th July we will again welcome Hartlepool United to Dean Street, Kick Off 3pm.

Our first away fixture will take place on Thursday 11th July at Hall Lane, Willington with a 7:30pm kick off.

Jason Ainsley’s Spennymoor Town will be the next visitors to Dean Street on Tuesday 16th July, Kick Off 7:30pm

The supporters club are running a coach to our next away match against Carlton Town from Nottingham who play in the Northern Premier League Division One East on Saturday 20th July, Kick Off 3pm. If you would like to travel please see either Paul or Russ to book your place.

Middlesbrough Under 23’s will be the next visitors to Dean Street on the 24th July, 7:30pm kick off before we travel the short distance to Crook Town on Saturday 27th July to play our final pre season game with a 3 o’clock kick off.