Shildon move up to 6th with a 3-2 victory at home to Seaham Red Star.
Nathan Steel scored twice in 2 minutes to give Shildon the perfect start within 10minutes. Ben Trotter then added a third just before half time.
In the second half Curtis Coppen scored and then Paul Gardiner further reduced the deficit to 3-2. Coppen was then sent off for a second yellow card.
Man of the Match : Nathan Steel
FT : Shildon 3 Seaham Red Star 2
You may see some new faces appear on match days in the coming weeks as we support Shildon AFC’s emerging talent.
This allows the under 18’s to play league matches as well as train with the first team to help them develop as players and develop their skills.
Some names you may have seen up to now are :
Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth, Mason Hurworth, Steven Johnson and from this week Lewis Waters.
We are pleased to announce that Zak Atkinson has agreed terms and will be joining the first team from this Saturday
The striker joins us from Ashington FC and has had spells with Blyth Spartans, Bedlington and Rutherford AFC, having trained at Middlesbrough Academy.
“I have been very impressed by the professionalism of everyone connected with the club and Shildon have a fantastic reputation, I feel that this is the right move and I am delighted to sign”
Many Thanks to Ashington and Gav Perry for his availability to conclude the transfer.
We would like to wish all supporters, volunteers, committee members and sponsors a very Merry Christmas from everyone at Shildon Football Club.
Thank you for your continued support during 2018 and we look forward seeing you all in 2019.
Shildon AFC – Chairmans Christmas message
2018 has been a mixed year for the Club. We’ve made huge strides off the pitch but on the field has been disappointing
Those of you who attended the recent talk in with myself and Martin will have a better idea of what’s happening behind the scenes but the bottom line is we are a Club in transition and that is shown in the results
I put together a budget at the beginning of the season which the Management team agreed would allow us to compete at the top of the League. That hasn’t happened, neither have we had a good Vase run. Believe me there is no one more disappointed than me
We needed to make some radical changes which I’ve done with the introduction of Martin and changes to the Management and playing staff. Martin subsequently introduced a new training regime for the Players and we are now seeing the first signs of our Academy coming through. Dan made changes to the squad and brought in Dane Eltringham, and Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth came on against Newton Aycliffe who’s only 16. Mason Hurworth was on the bench recently and both Ben Reay who plays for our Under 17’s and Steve Johnson, son of Steve Senior who some of you will remember as a former Shildon player, now all train with the first team and have signed first team deals. These players are all 17 and represent the future of the Club. On top of that we are now seeing the development of Aidan Heywood, Brad Hird, Aaron Duell and Dom Curl all of whom are 21 or under
I appreciate that young talented footballers alone will not take the Club forward and that’s why we are delighted to sign a proven NL Centre Half in Dale Mulligan who last May played at Wembley in an FA Vase final. This will allow Dan Moore to concentrate on improving the squad performance and to develop as a Manager. We are looking to make one or two additions during the course of this season but only if they can enhance the squad and contribute towards a team that must challenge at the top next season.
We can’t turn this Club around overnight, it will take time. We have a 5 year plan to take this Club as high as we can and we want all of you and the wider community to come on this journey with us
The remainder of this season is all about improving on and off the pitch. Off the pitch I’ve restructured the Board to attract investors to the Club to help us have the necessary budget to challenge for the League title next season. The Academy is starting to take shape with new players attracted to the Club and I’m really proud of what we are doing for the local community. Believe me myself and Martin are working really hard behind the scenes and we are making progress.
On the pitch Dan Moore has a target to finish in the top 6 which I think is more than achievable with the squad. This, coupled with one or two additions to the team, will give us some momentum as we move into next season
It’s been a hard year for us all but I’m absolutely sure with all of your support we will take this Club to a level that it’s never played at before.
Have a lovely Christmas everyone and here’s to a successful New Year
Manager and players visited the Children’s Ward at Darlington Memorial Hospital this week to spread a little Christmas cheer.
Shildon AFC manager Daniel Moore and his captain Ben Trotter dropped in with some presents made possible through funding from Shildon AFC, their players, the Supporters Club, homes and communities organisation Livin, Shildon Development Centre, and Chairman David Dent and his wife Diane.
Daniel Moore said: “It’s nice to put a smile on their faces when they are having a bit of a tough time. It is something that we can give back. The afternoon went really well and we were able to leave some presents for children who might have to visit the ward over the Christmas period too.” Jayne Auld, ward manager, said, “We are very grateful for the gifts which we know will be very welcomed by the children and their families.”
Today’s game against Consett has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.
We are delighted to announce that Dale Mulligan has today completed his transfer from Stockton Town.
Dale is an old school centre half, big and strong with a great never say die attitude. He is a no nonsense player, good in the air and loves a tackle. He has a lot of experience in the Northern League having played for Billingham Synthonia, Norton & Stockton Ancients and Marske United.
Welcome to the club Dale.
On Saturday after the West Auckland game, Sue Charlton presented a cheque to Chairman David Dent & Manager Daniel Moore for £ 916.66 from her recent fundraising events.
Sue also presented two further cheques for the same amount to Diabetes UK and the Jame Cook Prosthetic Limb Centre.
Many Thanks to Sue for all her efforts and also everyone that sponsored her.