COLLIERS CREATING A NEW HISTORY

CLUB FOCUS - ASHINGTON AFC

- Tony Bugby

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.