Down the years there has been no shortage of proud moments F0R the Railwaymen AS SHILDON ARE AFFECTIONATLEY KNOWN.
Before the War, the club won four successive titles, a record which stood until Blyth won their fifth in 1984; in 1937 the title was won by going through the season unbeaten, Jack Downing firing 61 league and cup goals. That record came under threat in 2004 when Garry Barnes hit 53 goals in 52 appearances.
The club was formed in 1890 as Shildon Town to play friendlies, or "ordinary matches" in the jargon of the day. In 1892 they were founder members of the Auckland arid District league, and two years later merged with two other Shildon teams - Rangers and Heroes - literally to become United. After a year in the Wear Valley league, United joined the new Northern League division two, but the club folded due to a financial problem in 1900 and the second division ceased the same year.
They re-formed later that year as Shildon Athletic, joining the Northern League in 1903 to replace Stockton St.John's. The Dean Street home was known as the South Durham Athletic Ground, and was also a cycle track.
In 1907 the club joined the semi-professional North Eastern League for 25 years - dropping the "Athletic" in 1932-33, finishing second as a prelude to their great days.
Shildon had already tasted FA Cup glory, the high point a replay win at York City in 1927-28, and in the first round have played Oldham Athletic three times, Brentford, Lincoln City and Scunthorpe United. The club again reached the First Round Proper in Season 2003-04 after a fantastic run before losing 7-2 to Notts County.
The Railwaymen reached the Amateur Cup quarter-finals in 1938 and 1959.
Famous names to represent the club include Stan Seymour - later player and chairman at Newcastle United, Dickie Downs, who won international honours at Barnsley, and Wacker Wild, a tenacious pre-war full back and one of the game’s great characters.
The Dean Street turnstiles and distinctive grandstand went up in 1923, and 60 years later a small band of volunteers, plus the small matter of £45,000, were responsible for new dressing rooms and social club beneath the stand.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson switched on the floodlights when his team played a friendly in May 1987 - appropriate given that the Railwaymen have also been known as the Red Devils.
The Centenary match against Leeds was played in 1991, and in 1994 another £11,000 was spent on floodlight upgrading. An FA grant helped dressing room refurbishment in 1999, and a new grandstand roof (£3.500) and hospitality portakabin (£11,000) were funded by insurance claims, which followed gale and fire damage.
Shildon regained First Division status by winning the Second Division Championship in Season 2001-02 scoring 135 goals and also finishing runners up in two cup competitions. Then in Season 2002-03 they won the Albany Northern League Challenge Cup with a 3-2 golden goal victory over Billingham Synthonia at Feethams.
Tragedy hit the club in February 2004 when 26 year old player, Lee Hainsworth, who had been with the club for six years was killed in a road accident on his way to training. The club renamed their Brown Street stand in Lee's memory.
BILL AISBITT , A LIFELOND STALWART AT THE CLUB DIED IN JUNE 2003 . THE BOARDROOM WAS APPROPIATLELY NAMED `THE BILL AISBITT SUITE` IN RECOGNITION OF OVER 50 YEARS LOYAL SERVICE.
AT THE END OF SEASON 2004 THE RAILWAYMEN SUFFERED A MAJOR SET BACK. THE CLUB WAS IN SERIOUS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. THE CHAIRMAN HAD SEVERED ALL CONNECTIONS WITH THE CLUB. THE PLAYERS HAD NOT BEEN PAID FOR WEEKS,SO, AT THE END OF THE SEASON , THEY ALL LEFT AND JOINED OTHER CLUBS. THE MANGER HAD ALSO RESIGNED. THE CLUB HAD NO TEAM, NO MANAGER, CHAIRMAN OR MONEY.
HOWEVER, DURING THE CLOSE SEASON, A NEW CHAIRMAN IN BRIAN BURN AND NEW MANAGER MR. GARY FORREST ARRIVED AND THE CLUB SURVIVED THANKS TO A CONCERTED EFFORT BY ALL INVOLVED.