Tag: Shildon AFC

Help Shildon AFC and your community

Help Shildon AFC and help your community

These are extreme and unprecedented times for us all and firstly the thoughts of everyone at the Club are with those who have lost family and friends or indeed are struggling with social isolation. We wish to place on record our appreciation for the fantastic efforts of not only the amazing staff at the NHS but also the Care Workers in our community and other key workers who put their lives on the line every day.  Thank you!


Shildon AFC, like many other Clubs has been massively affected by this crisis but unlike many also were cruelly denied promotion which effected us financially and mentally.


We are a proud town and we will come back stronger but we need your help. We have had every revenue stream turned off over the last couple of months but we are still determined to build a team that you can be proud of and to invest in our ground to make the experience for players and supporters the best that it can be. 

We have lost the following;

– Gate receipts for the last 5 games which would have been higher than average given that we were on the verge of promotion 

– Bar and function income 

– Our contribution towards running Holiday courses for children in Shildon over the Easter Holidays 


We have to find the money to fund;

– Refurbishment and redecoration of the clubhouse

– New floors for the dressing rooms

– Repairs to our grounds maintenance equipment

– New goal posts

– Pitch maintenance works

– Repairs to the Hospitality suite roof 

– Repairs to the perimeter boards  


If you could help support us within this, no matter how little, that would be extremely appreciated, and in return we will give something back to you our community. We will donate 20% of the monies raised to our Club Charity, Team Solan, who provide an invaluable service to cancer sufferers and their families in Shildon and the surrounding areas.

Go Fund Link : Please Click Here to Support


We will also offer you the following;

£115 – 4 complimentary Tickets within our platinum suite 

£100 donation – One adult season ticket and a child for free 

£ 75 donation – Match Ball sponsor plus 5-pint cheques 

£50 a VIP day for 2 guests (free drink on arrival) entry to the platinum suite at half time for refreshments, 2 seats on the director’s row for the game.

We want to complete what we started last season and your help with raising vital funds will go along way to achieving this 

Many thanks

Shildon AFC 2019/20 Retained and Released List

The Club has been working hard over the last few weeks and  can confirm the following: 

Players currently Under Contract 
Aidan Heywood 
Jack Vaulks
Jordan Lavery
Chay Liddle 
Ben Trotter
Joe Posthill
Shaun Newbrook
Billy Greulich-Smith 

New contracts have been signed by;
David Palmer
Danny Craggs
Dean Thexton 
Dom Curl
Ben Reay 

Retained
Kurt Matthews 
Zak Atkinson 

New Signing
Michael Sweet

Released 
Dale Mulligan 
Aaron Duell

We would like to thank Dale and Aaron for their efforts over the course of the last couple of seasons. We wish them well on the next chapter of their football careers.

The Management Team and Chairman have been working hard behind the scenes and hope to announce another new signing over the course of the next week which they believe will improve a squad which was denied promotion last season by matters outside its control.

2020/2021 Season Tickets & Admission Prices

We are pleased to announce Season Card & Admission prices for the 2020/21 season. It is anticipated that the Northern League Division One will remain a 20-team league due to the Football Association decision to void the 2019/20 season.

An early bird Season Card offer for all cards bought before 31st May is available where prices will remain the same as last season.

Adults – £ 90
Concessions – £ 50 (Over 65’s)
Child – £ 25 (Under 16’s)

This gives an approximate saving of 33% for the season and represents excellent value for our loyal season card holders 

*As last season with single game admission we can offer the same reduction for Livin tenants as our partnership grows. These Season Cards will now be priced at: –

Adults – £ 70
Concessions – £ 40 (Over 65’s)
Child – £ 20 (Under 16’s)

After the 31st May ticket prices will be

Adults – £ 100
Concessions – £ 60 (Over 65’s)
Child – £ 30 (Under 16’s)

And for Livin tenants

Adults – £ 80
Concessions – £ 50 (Over 65’s)
Child – £ 25 (Under 16’s)

For single matches our admission prices will remain the same as last season:

Adults – £ 7
Concessions – £ 5 (Over 65’s)
Child – £ 2 (Under 16’s)
Under 5’s – Free

*Discounted for Livin Tenants to: –

Adults – £ 5
Concessions – £ 4 (Over 65’s)
Child – £ 2 (Under 16’s)
Under 5’s – Free

* upon production of Tenant ID 

If you would like to purchase a season ticket please either DM the Facebook or Twitter pages or email to programme@shildonafc.com with your requirement.

Shildon AFC partner with Team Solan

Shildon AFC can announce a partnership with local cancer charity , The Solan Connor Fawcett family cancer trust , also known as Team Solan . Team Solan will become the Clubs Charity of the year for the following three seasons at least.

The partnership will see the Club promoting a range of fundraising events for Team Solan, a Charity game being played at Dean Street when restrictions are lifted and volunteers from the Club help with food deliveries to cancer patients in Shildon and the surrounding areas

David Dent, Chairman of Shildon AFC said “ I was inspired by Team Solans vision, drive and commitment to make a difference to members of our community who are suffering from this hideous disease. Shildon is a community club and if we can help people by inviting them to see a game or by making regular food deliveries then that’s the least we can do. We also want to help Mark achieve his ambitions for the charity to grow but be sustainable at the same time. It’s an absolute honour to help them “

Mark Solan, Chief Executive of Team Solan said “ We are absolutely thrilled at the prospect of working alongside Shildon AFC for the foreseeable future and we would like to say a huge Thanks to the chairman and the club for giving us this fantastic opportunity . We are confident that this exciting partnership will help us reach more local families who are facing a cancer diagnosis or dealing with a cancer bereavement and we already have strong links to the club with gaffer Danny Moore and former striker Paul Connor. Paul’s father is honoured in the charity’s name and Danny has supported us tirelessly for the last 3 years.“

If anyone is needing any advice or help , please contact us on admin@teamsolan.org.uk and we will deal with your referral in strictest confidence .

For more information on the Team Solan charity please visit website at the following address https://www.teamsolan.org.uk/

Introducing… Andrew Jinks

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to yourself, in my short time of being with Shildon AFC I have realized how much of a vital role the club and all of their partners play in the local and extended community, each is as important as each other and I think it’s vital that we continue to support one and other in any way shape or form, particularly in these difficult times that we are living through.My task is to create more bespoke partnership opportunities for all of our partners to enhance the value of each sponsorship for both parties.

I know how important it is that both parties give something a little more than sponsorship. I am confident that we can offer you not only a bespoke package either as an organisation or as a life long fan but in addition the opportunity to contribute to our Academy and the creation of opportunities and support that the Club is providing to all sections of our community some of which represent the most vulnerable

I have worked on a matchday sponsor package which will be offered to all partners over the year, this will include entry ground and the new hospitality suite, within the suite, we can cater for a two-course meal for a table of ten and a fully stocked fridge throughout the game, the suite will have a game viewing area and will be showing live scores on our TV from 3pm- 5pm.

We will also be offering a breakfast partner package that will include a group of partners who will be present a few times over the year, in this meeting there will be an opportunity to discuss cross-promotion and business opportunities

I hope to meet all of our partners in the near future and get to know each individual, together as a community we have the opportunity to come out of Covid-19 together, helping each other to grow.

I will be in touch over the coming weeks to have a chat with you but if there’s any issues that you would like to discuss in the meantime please hesitate to call or email

Thanks Andrew Jinks – Shildon AFC partnership manager and football development officer.

To Contact email : andrew.jinks@shildonafc.com

Supporters Club Meeting with David Dent

On Friday 21st February in the Blue Diamond Social Club, Shildon AFC Chairman David Dent, Director Alan Boddy & New Academy Director Darren Tait, will address fans on the current situation on and off the field as well as providing an insight into what will be required should the club gain automatic promotion from the Northern League.

Anyone interest in going along, whether a current supporters club member or just interested in learning about the future plans for the club are requested to arrive by 6:50 for a 7pm start.

The supporters club meeting will be held immediately after.

 

New Elite Football Academy

King James I Academy, Bishop Juniors FC and Shildon AFC have signed a partnership agreement which aims to  provide opportunities for young people, not only in education and football but also providing apprenticeship opportunities in the travel industry. Students will have the opportunity to pursue their academic and sporting interests through unrivalled academic pathways to a variety of Universities and into training and employment. 

Shildon AFC, who have aspirations for promotion to the Northern Premier League, will become official partners of Bishop Juniors. That, when combined with their own Development Centre, will see over 350 young people associated with the Club. The creation of a very real pathway from Bishop Juniors to the First Team is in place, with two of Bishop Juniors Under 17’s already making First Team debuts this season.

Shildon AFC’s official training facilities are now located at King James I Academy where they have access to strength and conditioning suites, classrooms, football pitches and the superb 3G pitch. 

The partnership agreement is a long term commitment and it will see the development and growth of a post-16 Football Academy where scholars can take advantage of day to day coaching from ex-Northern League players and coaches, strength and conditioning, video analysis and the opportunity to train with the First Team. The partnership will also see the formation of a Reserve side for Shildon and the development of facilities at both King James and at Dean Street.

David Dent, Chairman of Shildon AFC said, “This is a really exciting partnership which gives the Club access to a unique Junior set up whose emphasis is very much on player development delivered by UEFA B Coaches. It also allows us to put in place very real player pathways and we have already seen Bishop Juniors players join our First Team squad. King James I Academy provides us with not only a first class training base, but also a Football Academy that will provide talented young footballers with the opportunity to be part of the First Team and Reserve Teams that we are planning to create. It’s not just about football; our partnership with Hays Travel and our plans for a Travel Academy based at King James will provide young people with guaranteed interviews with Hays and the opportunity to develop their career with the fastest growing independent operator within the travel industry.“ 

Nick Grieveson, Head Teacher from King James I Academy said, “We welcome the opportunity to be able to work in partnership with Shildon AFC, Hays Travel and Bishop Juniors in order to provide our students with even more exciting, educational opportunities. We very much appreciate the support provided by two high profile clubs and by Hays Travel. Students now have the opportunity to develop their careers in football and travel and to pursue their ambitions from a young age. I am sure that our partnership will help to support the next generation of young people on their way to successful futures in two growing industries with organisations that epitomise the best of the North East.”

Darren Tait, Club Secretary and Football Development Officer for Bishop Juniors FC said, ‘’We have had a very close working relationship with King James I Academy for over four years now, and this has been extremely beneficial for both parties. The opportunity to further develop with this new partnership with Shildon AFC is really exciting for us all. After our first conversation I was very impressed with the Shildon Chairman and his ambition, but more importantly, the genuine plans he has in place at the Club. We are hoping that the planned formation of our adult team, which will serve as a Shildon Reserve Team, will also offer young players a realistic pathway into adult football.’’ 

NEW SIGNING | Joe Posthill

Midfielder Joe Posthill has agreed to transfer from Thornaby, subject to paperwork approval by the league.

Joe is an attacking player who is consistently up and down the field and a great player to have in any team, he started out at the Hartlepool United Academy and was also previously at Stockton Town. 

Daniel Moore said “Joe is a talented young man and he will bring something additional to the squad. As a club we have an ethos on providing a platform for young players to develop. I really hope Joe enjoys his time with us and I’m sure he will get the supporters excited.”

 

Chairman’s Christmas Message

This time last year I said the Club was in transition and that we were rebuilding on and off the pitch . Well what a difference a year makes! Whilst we are not getting carried away, and we know that no one ever gets promoted at Christmas,  we are certainly in the mix and that’s down to our Management Team of Dan, Mark and Matty, our players obviously, our sponsors  and also down to a lot of people who go unnoticed at the Club but without them I know we wouldn’t be in this position 
 
We’ve invested heavily into our First Team and we are prepared to strengthen the squad after Christmas but only if someone comes along who we believe can improve it. Some hard decisions have had to be made along the way but they were made in the best interests of the Club and team and I think we are now realising the benefits. What’s  really pleasing is still seeing young players like Brandon Mallaburn, Matty Bateman, Jack Naylor being part of the squad and getting game time. We forget that Jack Vaulks, Aidan Heywood, Dom Curl and Aaron Duell  are still only young but what careers they have in front of them and hopefully progressing through the Leagues with Shildon AFC. Ben Reay, came through Shildon Development Centre and has been selected for England Schoolboys which is a fantastic achievement and we look forward to playing our part in his future development as does David Trotter, Manager of Witton Park who Ben plays for on a Sunday. 
 
Our Manager, Dan Moore deserves a special mention. I was in agreement with him when he decided to retire this season allowing him to concentrate on developing as a Manager. On reflection I should have encouraged him to keep playing because he has been a revelation since he put back on his boots and it’s like signing the best Centre Half in the League who’s a leader on the pitch as well. He’s also found the time to do some more FA badges as well which will hold him and the team in good stead 
 
I’ve said previously that an Academy is important to the Club moving forward, you can see the introduction of young players into the First Team, our Development Centre is moving forward under Andrew Finch and I will have some exciting news for you in the New Year about a partnership we have signed up to which gives the First Team a training base but more importantly access to a post 16 Academy and a Junior set up with 200 players attached to it which when combined with our Development Centre gives us  over 350 kids associated with the Club. This I believe is the future of our Club moving forward 
 
The community remains massive to me as does our partnership with Livin who not only are Club sponsors but help give us greater reach into the community.
 
We’ve held two hugely successful Holiday courses which are free for the kids and we plan to continue to do this. We’ve also as a whole Club made a donation recently to Shildon Alive to their Food Bank and I would like to thank our supporters and Players who have all contributed to this. 
 
We are now partnering with Hays Travel and Livin in providing opportunities to go and gain a career in the Travel industry. Anyone who applies through the Club will be guaranteed an interview which is absolutely fantastic 
 
We want to take this Club onto to play at a level that it’s never played at in over 125 years. That will mean  investment in our facilities, our whole Club  structure and our playing squad. I will speak more about this at a later date other than to promote our 12th man appeal where supporters can give as much or as little as they want and I will ringfence the monies for our Manager to go and improve  our squad for this season and next season. Should anyone be interested in this please contact me directly. It’s really important and gives you the chance to directly help. It is after all your Club and I’m just running things for you 
 
Being Chairman of Shildon AFC is never dull, there are lots of challenges but I think we are getting there, lots of positives have come out of this year such as a memorable night at the Stadium of Light when we won the Durham Challenge Cup. I now want us to create some history and get this Club promoted. I hope we can achieve this in 2020! 
 
Have a lovely Christmas everyone and here’s to a successful New Year