PLAYER PROFILE
Andrew Spence. Age 22. Goalkeeper. Signed from Esh Winning. Previously at Willington and Tow Law.
Andrew Howarth. Age 29. Right back. Previously at Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland, Northallerton Town, Seaham Red Star and Middlesbrough F.C. Voted ‘Player of the year 2006-7’
Liam Clough. Age 21. Left back-Centre half. Signed July 07 from Willington. Also at Chester-le-Street Juniors.
John Jury. Age 21. Defender. Played in F.A.Vase semi-final in 2005 for Jarrow Roofing. Also at Coxhoe.
Christopher J. Mason. Age 21. Defender. Signed July 07 from Gateshead. Also played at Harrogate Town, Darlington F.C. and Ostavalls IF in Sweden.
Gary M. Ankers. Age 25. Defender. Signed Sept 07 from Tow Law. Previously at Blyth Spartans, Prudhoe Town, Crook and Evenwood.
Ross A. Cowan. Age 18. Full back. Signed end Aug. 07 from Newcastle United Academy having been there since 10years old. Made 5 appearances for NUFC Res in 2006-7. Extremely fast. National schools cross country champion in 2002.
Thomas Ptak. Age 23. Central defence. Re-signed Nov. 07 from Darlington R.A. Also at Richmond Town and Easington Colliery.
Gary Bulleyment. Age 23. Midfield. Signed Sept 07 from Gosport Borough in the Southern League. Also at Atherstone Utd. in the Ryman League.
Dean Grayson. Age 23. Midfield. Previously at Willington and Chester-le-Street
Dion Raitt. Age 28. Midfield. Signed Feb.07 from Seaham Red Star. Experienced player. Previously at Peterborough Utd, Spennymoor, Gateshead, Bishop Auckland, Durham City and West Auckland.
Karl Everitt. Age 22. Central midfield. Signed Aug 07 from West Auckland. Also at Worksop Town and Crook Town.
Simon Ord. Age 20. Midfield. Played for Sunderland Academy, Durham County U’18 s and Coxhoe Athletic.
Daniel ‘Bobby’ Moore. Age 22. Midfield. Team Capt. Played for Mansfield Town in League 2, Eastwood Town and Alfreton Town in the Unibond League.
Liam Cooper. Age 20. Central midfield. Signed July 07 from Spenny-moor Also played at Darlington R.A.
John Hutton. Age 27. Centre half. Signed Nov 06 from Horden. Vastly experienced player. Six years at Sheff. Wed. Also played at Blyth Spartans, Durham City, Seaham Red Star and Spennymoor.
Stuart Niven. Age 28. Midfield. Assistant Manager. Another vastly experienced player whose previous clubs were Ipswich Town, Barnet, Carlisle Utd. Cambridge City, Spennymoor, Durham and Tow Law.
Tyson Nicholia Masters. Age 21. Striker. Signed May 07 from Norton. Also at Wolviston.
Adam Emson. Age 22. Left wing-Striker. Previously at Richmond Mavericks and Thornaby. Clubs top goal scorer last season.
Wayne Clarke. Age 19. Defender. Signed Jan.08 from Darlington FC having been there since 12 years old.
Wanye Gredziak. Age 27. Signed October 07 for 2nd spell at club. Previously at Scarborough, Crook Town , Coxhoe and Northallerton.
Coach.- Colin Myers .Won both 1st and 2nd
division Northern league titles as a player with
Durham City and Brandon United respectively, as well as a Durham
Challenge Cup winners medal and Northern league cup runners up medal
before retiring in 2002. Joined the successful management team at
Brandon United winning both 1st and 2nd division Northern league titles
as well as two consecutive Durham Challenge cup final appearances. In
2004 joined Jarrow Roofing and helped guide them to the Semi final of
the FA Vase in 2005 losing to eventual winners Didcot Town. In 2006 on
hearing the tragic plight of his hometown club Brandon United, agreed to
return as Manager and guided them to eventual safety in the 2nd division
with no resources but left at the end of the season due to professional
differences. Re joined Jarrow Roofing at the start of the 2007/8 season
as joint manager but decided to leave in December 2007 due to personal
reasons and joined Shildon in January 2008 as First team coach at the
invitation of Gary Forrest and Stuart Niven. Previous clubs include
Sunderland, Hibernian, Whitby Town, Durham City, Crook Town, Brandon
United and Jarrow Roofing.
Manager – Gary Forrest. Age 38. Joined Shildon in May 2005 from Coxhoe Athletic.
Coxhoe were bottom of the Auckland & District League 8 year ago, when Gary became Manager. In his 2nd year in charge, the club reached 5 cup finals. The following year, the club joined the Durham Alliance League and won the championship, plus 2 more cup finals. They retained the championship the following year, before moving into the Wearside League, where they finished a credible 4th. Shildon Manager, Gary Forrest stated that the Railwaymen had a much better than expected season 2006-7, but he was very disappointed not to finish in the top five Shildon were reprieved at the end of 2005-6 season because of Thonaby’s inability to bring their ground up to standard. Finishing the season on 49 points, equal with Thornaby, but still 3rd bottom. After starting the season as relegation favourites, Shildon beat the F.A. Vase holders Nantwich away, as well as topping the league at one stage.“Had we won the last game of the season at home to Darlington R.A. we would have finished 5th. We lost, and finished 9th, still exceeding everyone’s expectations” says Gary.He says the mentality at the club has now changed. At the start of the season supporters were hoping the team would just be staying up, but towards the end of the season, after being top around Christmas, everyone wanted us to finish as high as we possibly could.“I think this season we have a serious chance of winning something, if we strengthen the squad” says The Manager. “We need to have a good solid squad of players, who can compete at Northern League level, and we’ll certainly be weeding out those players who aren’t mentally tough enough, or those who think Sunday football takes preference. I want players who are fully committed to Shildon A.F.C. Last May when I took over as Manager, I was scratching around looking for players. Now I’m looking for players who fit the profile I want” says Gary.