Tag: Shildon AFC

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 

Shildon AFC working in partnership with @HaysTravel and @weare_livin Futures

Could you be the next apprentice of the year working for Hays Travel?

Come to the open night at Shildon AFC, Dean Street to find out how you can be guaranteed an interview.

The evening will be held on Thursday 28th November from 6:30pm in the Blue Diamond Social Club, Dean Street, Shildon..

Hays award-winning apprenticeships offer you the opportunity to earn a salary, gain valuable on-the-job experience and achieve a nationally recognised certificate.  

Their experienced learning and development coaches would be on hand to give you expert advice, one-to-one support and award-winning training throughout your apprenticeship.

Many of their team leaders and managers started their career as apprentices and there are many development opportunities at Hays Travel for you to progress in your career.

On the apprenticeships John Hays, Managing Director and Founder says “We are extremely proud of our apprenticeship programme and value the wealth of energy, diversity and innovation our apprentices bring into Hays Travel”.

Martin Gray leaves Shildon AFC

Martin Gray leaves Shildon AFC

The Club announces the departure of its Sporting Director, Martin Gray from Shildon AFC. Martin has left to focus on his Academy and other business interests.

The Club stated “ We are grateful for the blueprint Martin has set down for the future direction of the Clubs training regime and Academy structure. He has a wealth of experience which we have been fortunate to draw upon whilst he’s been at the Club and he has helped set the foundations for the next chapter in Shildon AFC’s history. We always knew that Martin would be employed by Shildon AFC for a limited period of time and we wish him all the best in his future career”

FULL TIME | Stockton Town 1 Shildon 0

It was a much improved performance by Shildon, but, Daniel McWilliams scored the only goal of the game to give Stockton a 1-0 win.

The goal came in the 25min when his shot was deflected past Shaun Newbrook.

In the second half Shildon put Stockton under constant pressure but couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Attendance : 486
Shildon Man Of The Match : Chay Liddle 

FULL TIME | Easington Colliery 1 Shildon 2 #FAVase

Shildon are through to the next round of the FA Vase after a 2-1 victory in a wind affected game at Easington.

Shildon kicking with the wind in the first half scored 2 goals through Danny Craggs and Aidan Heywood. Danny Craggs from a free kick after 12 mins that floated over the keeper. Aidan Heywood then curled a shot to the goalkeepers right after 35 mins. Shildon had a few other chances but didn’t take them through Craggs, Matthews and Greulich-Smith.

In the second half Dom Curl played a back pass too short and Liam Anderson stole in to reduce the deficit. Shaun Newbrook made a couple of good saves and Shildon held out for the win.

FT : Easington Colliery 1 Shildon 2
Attendance : 140

LOAN SIGNING | Iulian Petrache from Morpeth Town

Iulian has today signed on a short term loan from Morpeth Town (subject to League approval).

Iulian is towering centre-half with an imposing presence at the heart of the defence, bringing aerial prowess and a tremendous reading of the game. After spells at South Shields and Team Northumbria, Petrache joined Morpeth.

He has previously played in his home country Romania as well as Poland and Hungary.

Shildon  manager Daniel Moore said “The signing of  Iulian on loan is a tremendous addition to our squad and will help us through some very important League fixtures in September”

Many Thanks to Morpeth Town for all their help with the loan.

Welcome to the club Iulian.

MATCH PREVIEW | Manager Moore wants more of the same

Shildon boss Daniel Moore says he expects more attacking football to come as his side welcomes Garforth Town to Dean Street in an extra FA cup preliminary round meeting this Saturday.

Speaking after Tuesday night’s convincing 5-1 victory over Ryhope CW, Moore outlined his vision for Shildon and preferred style of play.

“I want my teams to go out and attack, that’s what I loved doing as a player, so we’ve got good players in the forward areas of the pitch to make an impact”.

All this is music to fans ears as 13 goals in just 2 games has spread optimism like wildfire throughout the town with impressive attendances reflecting the quality on the pitch.

Manager Moore also highlighted the quality in depth the Railway Men possess praising the impact made from the bench on Tuesday evening.

“I was very pleased with the reaction from our players. I’ve just said to them Work rate and effort was great. Players who came off the bench as well changed the game in different ways”.

Meanwhile, looking ahead to Saturday’s cup tie.

While early in the season, the manager has already thrown the gauntlet down to his men to make Dean Street a fortress for any visiting side.

“They’re coming to us and I’ve said to the lads in there, we’ve got to make this place the same as it has been the last 2 games. A hard place to come”.