MATCHDAY
PROGRAMME
AVRO vs STOCKTON TOWN
SATURDAY, 29TH AUGUST, KICK OFF 3PM
Northern Premier League
AVRO
Football Club
In accordance with FA Rule 2.15, Avro FC, officially registered as Avro FC First Team Limited (Company Number: 14931069), is structured as a Private Limited Company by Shares. The current directors of Avro FC First Team Limited are Charlie O’Brien, Robert Fuller, Kelly Fuller, Mark Hutton and Liam Bambridge. The majority shareholder of Avro FC is Avro Community Football Club Limited (100%)
HONOURS
- Manchester Football League Champions: 2009/10, 2017/18
- Manchester FA County Challenge Cup Winners: 1940, 1941,
1956, 1988, 1994, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2018 (Record 10 times) - NWCFL Divison 1 North Runner-Up: 2018/19
- NWCFL Division 1 Cup Runners-Up: 2018/19
- NWCFL Premier Division Runners-Up: 2022/23
- Northern Premier League West : Runners-up 2025-26
- Northern Premier League West Play-Off : Winners 2025-26
INTRODUCTION
A welcome to all on what is our 4th home game but only our 2nd on a Saturday afternoon. We are right in the middle of the early season fixture rush of Saturday/Midweek, and of course this weekend we have the extra game on Monday afternoon when we make our first ever visit to our nearest neighbours at FC United.
Those of us who were here on Wednesday night certainly went home entertained! The effort and commitment from the players couldn’t be faulted as they found themselves 2-4 down in the second half. No heads dropped though and they kept pressing and eventually found a way back with a sublime goal from Sam Davidson, the kind we know he is capable of. The 95th minute equalizer was deserved and a lovely deft header from Benito Lowe it was. Benny had played really well since he came on as a sub, and led the line as good as any 9 you will see, it was fitting he notched his 4th goal already – equalling his entire season for us total back in 2024/25. Harry Salt was on hand to finish Jacob Holland-Wilkinson’s shot which had bounced back off the post to notch his 5th goal in just 6 games at Step 3. Let’s hope the lads return to winning ways this afternoon as we welcome Stockton Town down from Teeside. A very warm welcome to their committee, fans and players who have travelled down today.
Mark – 1st Team Match Secretary
MATCH
PREVIEW
We come into this game off the back of a very good 3 points at Hyde United, and a 8 goal thriller v Leek Town where spoils were shared. As exciting as the Leek game was, I’m sure the management will be looking for a tighter performance from the defence today! This time of year is always difficult as we juggle lots of fixtures with staff on holiday, and a settled team doesn’t really appear until into October. Stockton have had a tough start, picking up just the one win so far from six games, that being a very creditable 2-0 win against Alfreton – who defeated us of course. Last season Stockton reached the premier Division Playoffs, losing away at Hednesford Town 1-0. Stockton Town have been on a similar journey to ourselves, having left the Wearside League as recently as 2016. They have climbed their way up to Step 3 and no doubt will be looking to throw off the early season form and go one better than last season in clinching that promotion spot.
LAST TIME OUT
Benito Lowe’s 96th minute equaliser was enough to rescue a point for the Ro on another thrilling Wednesday night at the Vestacare Stadium.
TAKEN FOR GRANTed
Afternoon everyone and welcome back to the Vestacare Stadium.
A warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Stockton Town. I hope you enjoy our hospitality and the game.
We have had 18 goals in our first three home games, so fingers crossed for some more entertainment today. Maybe just a little less at our end!
We are six games in and not even out of August yet. I think most teams in the league would have taken our points return if offered it before the season started, so I am happy with where we are.
However, I don’t think we have really got going properly yet. We have shown glimpses of what we are capable of, but we haven’t played with that intent for long enough in games. That has cost us at times, especially with some of the goals we have conceded.
I know we will always create chances and carry a threat. We just need to keep adapting to the higher level and the more physical demands of this league.
We are all still learning and improving, from the players to the staff. We understand what is expected of us if we want to be successful week in, week out.
The aim now is to come out of the bank holiday weekend with some momentum and a couple of good performances. Like most teams, we have used the full squad throughout August. It can be difficult to build momentum with the amount of changes you have to make, but that is why we have a squad.
Thanks again for coming to watch us. I can promise the lads will give everything today.
Enjoy the game.
Up the Ro!
Shents.
WHO ARE YA?
HISTORY OF STOCKTON TOWN
Stockton Town traces their roots back to Junior Club Hartburn Juniors who were formed in 1979. It is believed the club was formed by Derrick Small, who at that time was coaching youngsters from the Hartburn Area of Stockton at the local YMCA. It was at this time the club’s home colours were established with yellow shirts and blue shorts which have remained since.
During the 80s and 90s, Hartburn Juniors continued to establish themselves in the Junior Football Scene competing in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance. They played across the town throughout but in the early millennium they secured a permanent base at Our Lady of St Bede’s School on Bishopton Road West.
To reflect how the club had grown and how it represented more than just Hartburn, the members decided to adopt the current name of STOCKTON TOWN FC. Another huge step forward came in April 2008 when the club partnered with Stockton Borough Council, Stockton Sixth Form College and Our Lady of St Bede’s School to build a new facility at the cost of £1.4m. The facility was the Clubhouse and the changing facilities.
As a sole Junior Club, Stockton Town had nurtured some talented youngsters who had gone on to have flourishing careers at other clubs. Keen to provide them with an opportunity to remain at Stockton, the club established its Men’s First Team. The Anchors took their place in the Teesside Football League Second Division ahead of the 2009-10 season, and they made their senior bow in a 2-1 defeat at St Mary’s College. The debut season ended with a 4th-place finish.
CONTINUE READING
The club was successful in joining the Wearside League for the 2010-11 season. The Anchors took time to adapt to the Wearside League, but a strong second half of the season secured a respectable 10th-place finish.
The steady progress continued in their second season as they finished in 3rd place and reached the Wearside League Cup Final where they lost to Ryhope CW.
The following season began with a period of domination of the Wearside League. They secured their first league title in 2012-13 and retained it with relative ease in 2013-14. Although the League Cup did evade them as they were once again beaten by Ryhope CW in the final.
In 2014-15 they became only the third side to achieve the clean sweep as they won their third straight League Title, the League Cup, the Shipowners Cup and the Monk Wearmouth Charity Cup. Unfortunately, a desired promotion to the Northern League would have to wait another year after issues securing a suitable facility.
After winning their fourth-successive Wearside League title, the club were promoted to the Northern League after moving into their current ground, which was opened for a game against Horden CW at the end of the 2015-16 season.
The Anchors seamlessly adapted to the Northern League and won the Division Two title in their debut campaign. Thus, they achieved promotion to Division One. They also reached the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup Final but lost to Northallerton Town on penalties.
The start to life at Step 5 was not so easy. They succumbed to Guisborough Town in their FA Cup debut and subsequently lost their first eight league fixtures. Undeterred by their poor start, Michael Dunwell rallied his players and guided them to a 6th-place finish. The real story came in the FA Vase where the Anchors made it all the way to Wembley for the final after beating Teesside rivals Marske United in the Semi-Final. It wasn’t to be the fairytale ending, however, as they lost 1-0 to Thatcham Town in the final.
The following season was still a solid one but saw the club slip a place in the league standings to seventh — the only time they have not finished on par or better than the previous campaign.
The Anchors came back strongly in 2019-20 and were on course for the Northern League title until Covid struck. In the FA Cup, they had their best-ever run before losing 1-0 at Guiseley in the Second Qualifying Round.
The FA attempted to resume non-League football for the 2020-21 season, but again Covid derailed the season. Another strong showing saw them well in contention at the time football was stopped in November.
In May 2021, the club was granted its deserved promotion to Step Four based on PPG following the FA’s league restructure.
The club adapted to Step Four excellently and achieved a fourth-place finish in their debut campaign in the Northern Premier League East Division, which secured a Play-Off place. A tremendous Semi-Final victory at Cleethorpes set up an all-Teesside final with Marske United which ended in a 2-1 defeat.
The following season they again reached the Play-Offs, but this time secured the home route by finishing second. A second-straight Play-Off was reached following a penalty shootout win over Stocksbridge Park Steels. Sadly, they were on the wrong side of a shootout defeat to Long Eaton United in the final.
It was the third time lucky for the Anchors in 2023-24 although it took some doing to get there. After being pipped to the league title by Hebburn Town despite leading the league for the majority of the season, they were once again in the Play-Offs. A thoroughly professional display against Carlton Town saw them secure their third-straight Play-Off final berth. Just like in 2022, they were up against Northeast rivals, this time in Dunston UTS. A dismal start saw them fall 2-0 down at the break, but an early second half goal from Mikey Roberts made it game on. Dunston restored their two-goal lead soon after, but an inspired substitute in Michael Sweet brought the Anchors back. He reduced the deficit with nine minutes remaining and equalised six minutes into stoppage time. There was another twist as Dunston restored their lead, but an excellent freekick from Kev Hayes sent the game to penalties. Dunston missed their first kick, while Stockton kept their nerves and scored all five penalties to secure promotion to the NPL Premier Division.
Just like in previous years, Stockton made an excellent start to life at Step Three and again achieved a Play-Off place with a third-place finish. Disappointingly, the season ended on a sour note as despite beating Guiseley in their Play-Off Semi-Final they were denied a place in the final after it was found they had fielded an ineligible player, thus disqualifying them.
Stockton enjoyed another strong season in 2025/26 by earning a Play-Off spot again with a 5th-placed finish. In the end they ran into a strong and determined Hednesford Town team who dispatched them 2-0 in the Play-Off Semi-Finals.
STOCKTON TOWN
SQUAD
Nathan Harker
Tom Coulthard
Adam Nicholson
Josh Baggs
Ryan Barrett
Aaron Brown
Owen Gallacher
Lewis King
Paul Rooney
Cameron Painter
Jake Petitjean
Tom Birtles
Frank Nouble
Kev Hayes
Stephen Thompson
Josh Scott
Michael Sweet
HEAD 2 HEAD
This is the first ever meeting between our two clubs
MATCH OFFICIALS:
REFEREE :
ABDUL HAKIMY
ASSISTANTS :
BEN BRIGHTON
PAUL MCMULLEN
