Month: July 2025

International Youth Tournament 2025

This weekend, the combined forces of Heaton Stan Jrs U11 Whites & Blacks proudly flew the flag in the renowned 2025 International Youth Tournament.

From the first whistle, Stan showed grit, determination, and a united team spirit that would carry them beyond the group stages. With a series of strong performances, they surged through their fixtures and earned their place in the Bowl Plate final.

There, they faced off against American side Hoosier FC – and delivered a commanding 5-1 victory. It was a match that showcased the very best of Heaton Stan Jrs: sharp passing, tireless teamwork, and clinical finishing.

The performance left spectators in no doubt – this is a team with heart, talent, and a bright future.

Oscar Jackson – Managers player of the tournament
Carter White - Players Player of the tournament
Carter White – Players Player of the tournament
Amelie Conway - Parents Player of the tournament
Amelie Conway – Parents Player of the tournament

 

William Davison - Most outstanding goal
William Davison – Most outstanding goal

 

STAN SOUNDS 002: Workington

We’ve launched a collaborative Spotify playlist so Heaton Stan fans have a chance to decide the music we play before and during half time of home games at The Willow Park!

Here’s what we played at the 2-1 friendly defeat to Workington on Saturday 26th July 2025!

 

If you want to join the collaborative Spotify playlist, here’s the link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6D1q7P20irFLM3RYngxQ2t?si=4c039bb1a3864845&pt=a6286f9b4b9c860199c4a1fa8110903e 

This playlist is basically an inbox folder where you can submit requests, which are then sifted through by media officer Liam, who then shuffles the playlist to generate enough music to fill an hour ahead of kick off and 15 minutes for half time, which is around 20-25 songs. Liam will try to make sure there’s a good mix of genres, styles and eras so there’s always at least something for everyone.

As you can see, there’s already a lot of music in the playlist so unfortunately we can’t guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled.

Here are some tips for selecting songs and making it past the sift:

  • Because of the limited amount of time, long songs will generally be passed over in favour of shorter songs, even if they’re masterpieces! This is to give everyone a fair chance, but also to make sure there’s a good variety of tracks in the playlist. We also know that not everyone has the same taste, so shorter songs means we get to cover all bases. If the track you want has a shorter edit or radio edit, that has a far better chance of appearing!
  • Because of the young age of some of our supporters, songs with explicit language will generally be passed over. If you’re able to find a clean version, or perhaps a track by the same artist which doesn’t contain explicit language, put that in instead!
  • We want a sound that reflects the eclectic tastes of our fanbase and we’d love to play hidden gems or tracks from lesser-known artists, but when putting songs into the playlist, think about the kind of upbeat energy we’re trying to generate before games. We want to generate a great, lively atmosphere at The Willow Park, so slower, sadder, overly-challenging will probably miss out. We also don’t want to upset the neighbours, so things like death metal and hard techno music will unfortunately likely fail to make the cut.

Keep the requests coming! We want the playlist to be generated by supporters as much as possible, so feel free to add things when you think of them and share the link amongst other supporters who you think might like to add to it. We again apologise if your request isn’t heard, but hopefully you get to hear some things you love, things you’ve not heard in a long time, or perhaps things you’d never heard before and end up loving!

If you’re not a Spotify user, you can email liamheatonstan@gmail.com and we can put the requests into the playlist on your behalf.

2025/26 Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division fixtures revealed!

We are delighted to confirm the Heaton Stannington’s fixture list for the upcoming 2025/26 Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division season.

Prior to the start of the league season, our first competitive game is a trip to Whitley Bay in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday 2nd August 2025, kick off 3pm.

Our league campaign begins with three newly-promoted teams in opposition, beginning with a home game against United Counties League Premier Division North champions Lincoln United on Saturday 9th August 2025, followed by a midweek away trip to Northern League winners Redcar Athletic on Wednesday 13th August 2025, then the visit of Northern League play-off winners Blyth Town on Wednesday 20th August 2025.

Over the August bank holiday weekend, we travel to North Ferriby on Saturday 23rd August 2025, and then back to The Willow Park to face Consett on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August 2025.

We travel to Consett on Boxing Day 2025, before a home game against Ashington on New Year’s Day 2026. Our visit to Woodhorn Lane will once again take place on Easter Monday.

The regular league season will come to a close on Saturday 25th April 2026 with a home game against Northern Counties East League Premier Division play-off winners Hallam.

Giving his reaction to the fixtures, manager Dean Nicholson said: “It’s always an exciting day for the fixtures. We look forward to welcoming Lincoln United for the first ever time to Heaton Stan on the opening day with some great games in the first month or two. I’m looking forward to some cracking away days again with the Stan Army.”

 

FULL FIXTURE LIST

AUGUST 2025

Saturday 2nd – Whitley Bay (a – FAC EPR)
Saturday 9th – Lincoln United (h)
Wednesday 13th – Redcar Athletic (a)
Saturday 16th – Marske United or Carlisle City (h – FAC PR*)
Wednesday 20th – Blyth Town (h)

Saturday 23rd – North Ferriby (a)
Monday 25th – Consett (h)
Saturday 30th – Ossett United (a) / FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

SEPTEMBER 2025

Saturday 6th – Emley (h – FAT 1QR)
Saturday 13th – Brighouse Town (a) / FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Saturday 20th – Bridlington Town (h) / FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round
Saturday 27th – Pontefract Collieries (a) / FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round

OCTOBER 2025

Saturday 4th – Dunston (h)
Tuesday 7th – Blyth Spartans (a)
Saturday 11th – Bishop Auckland (h)
Wednesday 15th – Newton Aycliffe (h)

Saturday 18th – Bradford (Park Avenue) (a)
Saturday 25th – Garforth Town (a)

NOVEMBER 2025

Saturday 1st – Emley (h)
Saturday 8th – Matlock Town (a)
Saturday 15th – Silsden (h)
Saturday 22nd – Hallam (a)
Saturday 29th – Grimsby Borough (h)

DECEMBER 2025

Saturday 6th – Brighouse Town (h)
Saturday 13th – Bridlington Town (a)
Saturday 20th – Redcar Athletic (h)
Friday 26th – Consett (a)

JANUARY 2026

Thursday 1st – Ashington (h)
Saturday 10th – Lincoln United (a)
Saturday 17th – Dunston (a)
Saturday 24th – Pontefract Collieries (h)
Saturday 31st – Blyth Spartans (h)

FEBRUARY 2026

Saturday 7th – Bishop Auckland (a)
Saturday 14th – Bradford (Park Avenue) (h)
Saturday 21st – Newton Aycliffe (a)
Saturday 28th – Silsden (a)

MARCH 2026

Saturday 7th – Garforth Town (h)
Saturday 14th – Emley (a)
Saturday 21st – Matlock Town (h)
Saturday 28th – Blyth Town (a)

APRIL 2026

Saturday 4th – North Ferriby (h)
Monday 6th – Ashington (a)
Saturday 11th – Ossett United (h)
Saturday 18th – Grimsby Borough (a)
Saturday 25th – Hallam (h)

Note: all dates and kick-off times are subject to change. Follow us on social media @heatonstan to keep across any updates to the schedule.

Management Sponsorship Opportunity

We are excited to offer a unique opportunity to feature as the sponsor of the management team of Heaton Stannington FC for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Our Management Sponsorship package includes the opportunity for you/your business to be:

  • Featured in match day programme
  • Featured on social media
  • Featured on screen during all pre/post match interviews with the management

The cost of this sponsorship is £100 for the season.

Morpeth Town friendly update

Morpeth Town have advised that as a result of injuries received in a friendly played last night (11th July), they will today (12th July) be sending a young squad which is unlikely to feature first team players.

Whilst this is obviously disappointing news to receive at this stage, we felt it important to go ahead with a fixture today and therefore we will welcome the young Morpeth side to The Willow Park.

We hope that everyone will continue to support the Stan by attending today’s game. We have made the decision to cut entry prices to £2 for adults and £1 for concessions. Under 16s and season ticket holders remain free.

Gates open 1:30pm for a 3pm KO.

Storey signs for the Stan

Heaton Stannington are delighted to announce the signing of young forward Max Storey.

The 19-year-old joins from Hartlepool United where he was a scholar since the age of 16, before turning professional at the start of last season. Max’s first foray into football was with Newcastle United’s academy aged 9. Last season Max spent time out on loan at Blyth Spartans and West Auckland Town.

Max can play on either wing and in his own words, he’s “a technical player who likes to receive the ball in pockets, trying to make things happen, with goals, assists and chances.”

Upon signing for the club, Max said: “I’m really happy to sign for Heaton Stannington. I think it’s a great club with lots of potential. I’ve had some really good chats with Dean and Andy about their plans for the club and it all seems really positive and exciting.”

Manager Dean Nicholson said: “Max comes with hunger and good pedigree. He has tons of potential and has already shown that he can score goals and help us in the final third. I’m excited to see Max get going and I’m sure the fans will be excited too.”

STAN SOUNDS 001: Newcastle Benfield

We’ve launched a collaborative Spotify playlist so Heaton Stan fans have a chance to decide the music we play before and during half time of home games at The Willow Park!

Here’s what we played at the 2-1 Jimmy Rowe Cup win over Newcastle Benfield on Saturday 5th July 2025!

If you want to join the collaborative Spotify playlist, here’s the link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6D1q7P20irFLM3RYngxQ2t?si=4c039bb1a3864845&pt=a6286f9b4b9c860199c4a1fa8110903e 

This playlist is basically an inbox folder where you can submit requests, which are then sifted through by media officer Liam, who then shuffles the playlist to generate enough music to fill an hour ahead of kick off and 15 minutes for half time, which is around 20-25 songs. Liam will try to make sure there’s a good mix of genres, styles and eras so there’s always at least something for everyone.

As you can see, there’s already a lot of music in the playlist so unfortunately we can’t guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled.

Here are some tips for selecting songs and making it past the sift:

  • Because of the limited amount of time, long songs will generally be passed over in favour of shorter songs, even if they’re masterpieces! This is to give everyone a fair chance, but also to make sure there’s a good variety of tracks in the playlist. We also know that not everyone has the same taste, so shorter songs means we get to cover all bases. If the track you want has a shorter edit or radio edit, that has a far better chance of appearing!
  • Because of the young age of some of our supporters, songs with explicit language will generally be passed over. If you’re able to find a clean version, or perhaps a track by the same artist which doesn’t contain explicit language, put that in instead!
  • We want a sound that reflects the eclectic tastes of our fanbase and we’d love to play hidden gems or tracks from lesser-known artists, but when putting songs into the playlist, think about the kind of upbeat energy we’re trying to generate before games. We want to generate a great, lively atmosphere at The Willow Park, so slower, sadder, overly-challenging will probably miss out. We also don’t want to upset the neighbours, so things like death metal and hard techno music will unfortunately likely fail to make the cut.

Keep the requests coming! We want the playlist to be generated by supporters as much as possible, so feel free to add things when you think of them and share the link amongst other supporters who you think might like to add to it. We again apologise if your request isn’t heard, but hopefully you get to hear some things you love, things you’ve not heard in a long time, or perhaps things you’d never heard before and end up loving!

If you’re not a Spotify user, you can email liamheatonstan@gmail.com and we can put the requests into the playlist on your behalf.

Cup draws published for the opening rounds of the 25/26 FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup

The draws have been made for the first two rounds of the 2025/26 editions of the Emirates FA Cup, The Isuzu FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup.

Heaton Stannington’s first competitive game of the season will be away to Whitley Bay in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round on the weekend of Saturday 2nd August 2025. The reward for the winners of that tie will be a home game against either Marske United or Carlisle City in the First Round Qualifying, which will take place on the weekend of Saturday 16th August 2025.

The Stan skip the Preliminary Round of The Isuzu FA Trophy which is played on the weekend of Saturday 23rd August 2025, and head straight to the First Round Qualifying, where they’ll face Emley at home. That tie will be played on the weekend of Saturday 6th September 2025.

Meanwhile, the Stan’s under-18 side will begin their FA Youth Cup journey for this season with an away game at Hebburn Town in the week commencing Monday 1st September 2025. The winners of that tie will host South Shields at home in the First Round Qualifying in the week commencing Monday 15th September 2025.

Keep across our website and social media channels where we’ll confirm dates, times, opponents, venues and ticketing information for all of these fixtures as soon as we can.

Raffle Sponsor Wanted

Non league football is associated with many things – a printed programme, a cheap pint, a greasy burger, a pin badge …. and of course a raffle!

We are seeking a sponsor for our match day raffle. This is a brand new sponsorship opportunity at The Willow Park which will see your brand appear on our new look raffle stand, the first thing which every match day visitor sees after they walk through the turnstile!

Exposure to over 10,000 visitors across the season and many more via social media. Your sponsorship will help us source better prizes for supporters who are visiting the Stan.

The cost of this opportunity includes two free season tickets.

If you would like to find out more, or discuss any sponsorship interests you have, please contact us: info@heatonstan.co.uk