Tow Law Town AFC V Sunderland West End FC | 20/2021 Season by Tow Law Town AFC

TOW LAW TOWN AFC “THE LAWYERS”

TOW LAW TOWN AFC V SUNDERLAND WEST END FC Tuesday 8th September 2020 • 7:30pm KO Ebac Northern League Division 2 Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

Crook Golf Club, Low Jobs Hill, Crook,

12 Noon – 4pm Function Room AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE Contact Anita Tel: (01388) 762429

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

The Lawyer’s Brief Welcome back to Ironworks Road for tonight’s fixture, Tow Law Town v Sunderland West End. PLEASE COMPLY WITH THE COVID-19 GUIDELINES The last competitive fixture on the pitch was way back on 28th January, a 2-1 victory over Willington with goals from Ryan McKinnon & Lewis Milner. That’s a total of 223 days between home fixtures. Like most Clubs, we’ve suffered with the lockdown. Revenue streams from the clubhouse & home fixtures have been greatly effected. Now, more than ever, the Club needs you, the supporters & sponsors behind us. During the enforced break, Michael & Warren have been busy bringing players into the squad. Johnson Ballan, Matty Robson, Jake Thompson, Marshall Topham, Aaron Willoughby have joined. Welcome back to all the players, old & new. Sadly, in the last 3 weeks, the Club lost a valued supporter & volunteer with the passing of Audrey Wilkinson. Audrey will be missed around the Club & our sympathies go to Dave & the family.

Tow Law Tow Town LawAFC Town “The AFC Lawyers”

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

Welcome to Tow Law Serrvice Station,. Welcome to Tow Law Serrvice Station,. We are located on Bridge Street, Tow Law, We are located on Bridge Street, Tow Law, County Durham, DL13 4LD. County Durham, DL13 4LD. We are a family run business with your needs at our We are a family run business with your needs at our heart. heart.

Telephone 01388 731341 Telephone 01388 731341 E-mail: budgiehpss@gmail.com E-mail: budgiehpss@gmail.com

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

Fresh Bread • Fresh Pies • Cakes Sandwiches • Outside Catering Everything is freshly homemade on site.

57 High Street, Tow Law, DL13 4DP Tel: 07584 411 195 Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

80 Hope Street, Crook, County Durham DL15 9HT

Tel: 01388 417 337 or 07963 635 568 | Email: studio@rcphoto.co.uk www.ritchiecoatsworthphotography.co.uk | Find us on Facebook 8

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

Getting Married? Get in touch today to secure photography for your special day.

Jeff Morris Plant Hire The Ambulance Station, Roddymoor Crook, County Durham Tel: 07887800972

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

30% OFF ALL CANVASES: WHEN USING YOUR OWN PHOTO.

Design & Print

Packages for Business @Ritchie Coatsworth Photography Event Package £199 10 x A3 Posters, 20 x A4 Posters, 2 x A1 Poster and 5000 x A5 Flyers.

Vehicle Signage Small Van £125 • Transit Van £180 Large Iveco Type Van £220

New Business Package £249 500 x Business Cards, 5000 x A5 Flyers, Logo design or a vector redraw and one month advertising in Out & About Magazine.

Shop Header & Window Signage Prices start from £80 Mug Printing £8 T-Shirt Printing from £6.50 We can also print large format Canvases, Posters & Popup Banners.

Studio: 01388 417 337 • Mobile: 07963 635 568 Email: studio@rcphoto.co.uk 10

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

T.A.T. (Technical Area Talk) We welcome Sunderland West End for our first home game since lockdown. They are a very tough side that work really hard and counter attack well so we need to be at our best. We are still without Lewis Milner (ankle injury), Michael Brown (holiday), Ryan Mckinnon ( working holiday) , Mark Pattison is back in training and working hard on his fitness. We are also pleased to have Matty Moffat back for tonight’s game , Matty missed Saturdays game as his wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, congratulations to both of you. Its been a very strange preseason having to work under new restrictions and not having all players available due to work commitments, holidays and an extensive injury list however we managed to get everyone up to a good fitness level but we now need a few games to get the team functioning smoothly playing 2 games a week should get us up to speed in about 3 weeks. We are delighted with the additions to the squad over the summer and feel that there is a healthy blend of experience and youth in the squad. Its going to be a tough season as we have set our targets high but we feel the squad is capable of achieving high standards.

Michael Vasey & Warren Pearson

Tow Law Tow Town LawAFC Town “The AFC Lawyers”

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

Ebac Northern League Division 2 Table (Current)

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

Lawyers Club History The “Lawyers” were founded in 1890 and became founder members of the Auckland and District League in 1892. The following year they won the Durham Amateur Cup. They first joined the Northern League in 1894, winning the Durham Challenge Cup two years later. After leaving the Northern League the Lawyers played in the South Durham Alliance (1900 to 1905) and Crook and District League (1912 to 1914). After the war the club played in the Auckland and District League until being readmitted to the Northern League in 1920 where it has played ever since. Until 1994/95 season the club had not won the championship apart from two successive seasons 1923/24 and 1924/25. In between the League Cup was won in 1973/74 when Ashington were beaten 2-1 in the final at Crook. The 1994/95 League Championship win is a certainly an outstanding memory for the club especially as it was won by 14 clear points. Another outstanding memory was the tremendous F.A. Cup run of 1967/68. Having reached the first round Tow Law beat Mansfield 5-1 and in the second round drew 1-1 with Shrewsbury at Ironworks Road. The Lawyers went into the hat for the Third Round and drew a home tie with Arsenal. Sadly, it was not to be after they went down 6-2 at Shrewsbury in the replay. Frank McGee reported after the replay “Arsenal were saved from a fate worse than death - a trip to Tow Law in January”.

the ground is down to the regular work which has been done since 1921 by many hardworking bands of voluntary labour. A major scare occurred early in the 2004/05 season, the playing surface was struck by subsidence, rendering it unplayable. The Club was forced to ground share at Esh Winning for the remainder of the season, whist repairs were carried out by the Coal Board. Continuity at the club was provided by the longest serving trio of officials in the League, Chairman Harry Hodgson, Treasurer Harry Dixon and Club Secretary Bernard Fairbairn who followed his father and grandfather into the job.) They had over 100 years’ service between them. Harry Hodgson stood down as Chairman at the end of the 95/96 season. At the end of 1997 Harry Dixon also stood down but stayed on as the Club President until his death in 2002. Harry Hodgson took over as President. Bernard Faribairn stepped down as Secretary in 2007 after being in the post since 1961 – over 40 years. “A prisoner would get less for murder.

Peter Quigley and Tony Heslop took the Club on its first visit to Wembley was made on 9th May 1998 after a tremendous F.A. Vase run. It was a splendid adventure which sadly ended with a 1-0 defeat by Tiverton.

During 2004, Harry Hodgson again showed his devotion to the Club, returning as Chairman for 1 last year. Following the 2004/05 season he was replaced by Sandra Gordon, the first female Chair at the Club and only the third in the long history of the League.

The Lawyers first ground was in Church Lane, but the present Ironworks Road ground was built by volunteers during the miners’ strike of 1892/93. Ironically it was rebuilt during another miners strike in 1921. Today the much-improved state of

Famous ex-players include Billy Hall who played for Blackpool and Manchester City, Chris Waddle who transferred to Newcastle in 1980 & Steve Howard of Leicester City.

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

Tow Law AFC Pen Pics Michael Vasey (Manager): Michael has a wealth of ENL experience, having played for Tow Law, Crook, Newcastle Blue Star, Durham City & Blyth Spartans. He’s previously managed the Club & returned for the 2019/20 season. Warren Pearson (Coach): Warren played for Tow Law in the 90’s & in the FA Vase Final at Wembley. Most recently the coaching staff at Queen of the South, his experience will be pivotal to the Lawyers success. Mark Spedding (GK Coach): Mark was most recently with Durham City. Joins the Lawyers as Goalkeeper Coach to assist with player development. Ginalee Brownson (Physio): Ginalee joins Tow Law, having previously worked with Crook Town & Durham City. She runs her own Sports Therapy Business. Lewis Graham (Goalkeeper): Lewis joined the club for 2019-20 season. He has proved that he is one of the top goalkeepers in the League & can constantly be heard shouting advice and instructions to those in front of him. (Sponsored by David Edwards) Marshall Topham (Goalkeeper): Marshall is a young goalkeeper who was with South Shields Academy. He possesses loads of ability. Previously with Darlington Town & Billingham Synthonia. 18

Ryan McKinnon (Defender): The big centre-back signed on loan from Consett in January 2020. He spent eight years at Newcastle United Academy. He’s a Durham Challenge Cup winner in 2018, who has played 150 plus games for Consett. Lewis Milner (Defender): Lewis is another player joining The Lawyers from Willington. A strong central defender, we have tried on numerous occasions to land him & finally succeeded in 2019. Scott Oldfield (Defender): Scott is a pacey left sided defender/wing back. He returns to the Club for a 2nd spell, having spent 2018/19 with Willington. (Sponsored by Shaun Meek, Driving Instructor) Mark Pattison (Defender): Mark is in his 2nd spell with the Club, having spent 2 seasons with Birtley Town. He is an accomplished left back, adding Northern League experience to the squad. Matty Robson (Defender): Matty is a very experienced defender, having joined Hartlepool United at the age of 17. He has also played for Carlisle United & Gateshead, joining the Lawyers from Shildon, where he made 73 appearances & scored 10 goals. Robbie Shields (Defender): Robbie signed for the 2019/20 season after a 2 year spell at Willington. He can play anywhere along the back.

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

His versatility is a great asset to the management team.

joined us from Whitley Bay. Previously with Willington.

Jake Thompson (Defender): Jake is a young centre half, signed in August 2020 from Newcastle Benfield.

David Webb (Midfield): David joined on the eve of the 20-21 season, on a dual registration with Spennymoor Town. A young player who will do well in Northern League football, he marked his debut with a goal at Newcastle University.

Tom Aldsworth (Midfield): Tom joined on transfer from Bishop Auckland on the eve of 20-21 season. Comfortable on the ball, he can play anywhere across the midfield. Jeb Atkinson (Midfield): Jeb is a left sided midfield player, joined the Club at the start of 2019/20 season. Previously with Jarrow FC. Adam Knowles (Midfield): Adam began his ENL career with Esh Winning & Chester-le-Street, before joining Tow Law, had a short spell at Consett, returning in October 2017. He’s played over 100 games for the Club. Loves going forward. Joel Pearson (Midfield): Joel is a midfield player, who can also be an attacking wing back. He joins Tow Law after 7 years at Queen of the South. Barrie Smith (Midfield): Barrie brings a great deal of experience with him from his time at South Shields, where he made 323 appearances & won six trophies during his time at the club. He is a great addition to the Lawyers’ squad. Barrie can play central or out wide & also full back. (Sponsored by Alfie Edwards) Jeff Smith (Midfield): Team Captain. Jeff is a very experienced midfield player, who played with Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. He

Jason White (Midfield): Jay is another recruit from Willington. An intelligent midfielder, capable of pushing forward & scoring goals. Johnson Ballan (Forward): Johnson is a skilful young forward from Leeholme who made his Northern League debut for New-ton Aycliffe late in the 2018/2019 season having played for Newton Aycliffe Under 23s. He moved to Tow Law for the 20-21 season. Michael Brown (Forward): Michael signed from Consett; were he’s had 2 spells. He also had 2 seasons at Willington. His pace and work rate make him a real handful. Mattie Moffat (Forward): Matty is an experienced centre forward, who scores goals for fun. He’s played 1st Division football for West Auckland, Bishop Auckland & Consett. He was with Willington for most of the 2018/19 season before joining the Lawyers. Aaron Willoughby (Forward): Aaron is a local lad, who played against us for Hartlepool United in the 19/20 Durham Challenge Cup. A forward with an eye for goal, he has lots of ability.

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”

TOW LAW TOWN AFC V SUNDERLAND WEST END FC Tuesday 8th September 2020 • 7:30pm KO Ebac Northern League Division 2

Tow Law Town AFC Squad 2020/21 Tom Aldsworth Jeb Atkinson Johnson Ballan Michael Brown Lewis Graham Adam Knowles Ryan McKinnon Lewis Milner Matthew Moffat Scott Oldfield Mark Pattison Joel Pearson Matty Robson Robert Shields Barrie Smith Jeffrey Smith Mark Spedding Jake Thompson Marshall Topham David Webb Manager: Michael Vasey Coach: Warren Pearson GK Coach: Mark Spedding Physio: Ginalee Brownson 24

Tow Law Town AFC “The Lawyers”