ASHINGTON AFC, a club with a rich and illustrious history, have risen Phoenix-like from the ashes after coming close to going out of existence little more than four years ago.
They are back in the Northern Premier League at Step 4 after an absence of 54 years following their impressive 3-0 victory at Glossop North End in the Inter Step 4/5 play-off decider a fortnight ago.
It represented a remarkable turnabout in fortunes for the Colliers who finished the season runner-up in Division One of the Northern League.
Chairman Brian Shotton has overseen the revival for the former Football League club – they were founder members of Third Division North in 1921 but lost their bid for re-election eight years later after finishing bottom of the table.
Shotton, 39) admits the future of the club was precarious when he took over the reins in October 2018.
“The club had fallen into a financial mess and was on the verge of closing,” Shotton revealed candidly.
“When I was approached, I couldn’t say no, but it was not a lie to say it was a massive challenge.”
Shotton, whose grandfather took him to their former Portland Park home as a young boy, explained there were also political elements as well as financial ones which he did not wish to discuss saying they are in the past.
Consolidation
“It has been quite a turn-about, but one which has happened because of the people who have supported. We have gone from having crowds of 150 to 550 last season,” he continued.
Denne historien er fra May 14, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 14, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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WRAGGY WILL BE SORELY MISSED
MACCLESFIELD FC have led the tributes to “colossal” former manager Peter Wragg, who has passed away.
BURY & RAMMY HIT BIG STAGE!
BRYANLY’S late penalty kept Bury top of the tree in front of another record-breaking crowd at Gigg Lane on Boxing Day.
BRAVE BERKO ARE ON TRACK
Ducks demolition maintains title tilt
OWLS THAT! CLEE GLEE ON TOP OF THE TREE
CLEETHORPES Town maintained their four-point lead at the top of NPL East with a hard-fought 2-1 derby win over North Ferriby at the Myenergi Stadium.
HAWKS SWOOP IN FOR DERBY GLORY
REUBEN AUSTIN hailed Havant & Waterlooville teammate Leon Maloney’s wonder goal as ‘a hell of a strike’ as the Hawks continued their promotion push with a 3-1 local derby success over Gosport Borough.
JULIUS DICTATES - BUT FANS MIST IT
JULUS Ndene handed Leek Town a famous victory in the mist – not that any of the fans got to see it!
GOLDEN BROWN BACK AT THE TOP
PHIL Brown gave his Kidderminster Harriers players Christmas off – and was rewarded with a climb to the top of the tree.
BRENNAN'S BOYS SALVAGED IN 'KAMIKAZE' YEAR END
STRAIGHT talking Dean Brennan lamented ‘kamikaze’ defending despite seeing his Barnet nick a dramatic late point to end 2024 at the National League summit.
FIVE-STAR PIRATES PUMMEL ROVERS
IN the final game of the year at the Ledger Stadium, second-placed Real Bedford faced off against fourth-placed Barton Rovers, who arrived as the league’s in-form side.
MOORE'S LATE GOAL SEALS BIG REDS WIN
GEORGE Moore was the hero grabbing a stoppage-time winner to sink Kingstonian and take Uxbridge to third in the table in what is becoming a fascinating promotion race in the Pitching-In Isthmian South Central.
