With the conclusion of our pre-season friendlies, and attention quickly turning towards the 2025-26 season starting, we thought it was worth reflecting on a summer well spent.

On the non-playing side of things, we saw the departure of Tony Dunn, and the arrival of Jordan Dean to replace him as club physio.

Changes to the first team playing squad started with the retirement of Mark Turnbull, and departures for the likes of Louis Anderson, Liam Doyle, Oscar Taylor and Matthew Cassap, as well as former club captain Ryan Bailey and Jay Hornsby.

New deals were signed by a whole host of Stan regulars, with goalkeeper Lewis Brass kicking things off by committing to the club for a further 2 years. That was followed by announcements of contracts for defenders Kane Evans, Dan Capewell, Joe Shepherd, Dan Groves, Kailem Beattie and Alfie Marriot. Also committing their future to the club were midfielders Andy Burn and Alex Payne, and forward Leighton Hopper.

As well as securing current players, we’ve also made exciting additions to the first team, with new signings in key positions across the park. Bolstering the backline is defender Ben Milburn, while Luke Carr adds strength to our midfield. And up top we’ve added forwards Alfie Livermore, Max Storey and Dale Pearson, as well as welcoming back Bailey Adamson.

It’s been a busy close season for the commercial side of the club too, with sponsorships agreed to further strengthen community ties and provide vital revenues for the ongoing running and progression of Heaton Stan. The Willow continue as Home shirt sponsors and take on ground naming rights, seeing Grounsell Park renamed to The Willow Park. LDL Properties were confirmed as Away shirt sponsor, with The Back Page sponsoring shirt sleeves for both home and away tops. Jewson South Gosforth continue as sponsors of our matchday programme, and we welcomed Holbrook & Co Estate Agents as our new media sponsor. Further partnerships were struck with Ironhaven as teamwear sponsor, Coast Road Pharmacy as both stand sponsor and Stan A shirt sponsor, Spanish City as hospitality sponsor, and As Smart as Plastic as season ticket sponsor.

If you’re still looking to get involved we are looking for a raffle sponsor and have plenty of match day sponsorship opportunities available.

In terms of pre-season fixtures, we got proceedings off to a flyer, with a 2-1 win over Newcastle Benfield to retain the Jimmy Rowe Cup, with both goals scored by new forward Dale Pearson.

Next up was a Thursday night trip to Boldon CA, where we hit them for six, emerging on the right side of a 0-6 result thanks to goals from Dan Stephenson, two more for Dale Pearson and substitutes Max Storey joining in with one, and Jay Errington netting twice.

We made it three wins from three with our visit to Whickham barely a week later, with a 1-2 win for the Stan thanks to early goals from Dan Stephenson and Jay Errington.

Our final away trip of pre-season was a visit to the seaside to take on Seaham Red Star where we notched up four wins in a row with a 1-3 win. Dan Stephenson added to his tally with another goal, and there was two for Joe Robson, including a peach of a strike from the edge of the box.

The last friendly before competitive football returns was a home match against Northern Premier League Premier Division side Workington AFC. 255 people came along to The Willow Park to watch a tough test against higher-league opposition, where the Stan ran out on the wrong end of a 1-2 scoreline.

That made it 4 wins from 5, with 14 goals scored, and 5 conceded across the pre-season. Topping the goal-scoring charts was new forward Dale Pearson, with 4 goals, followed by 3 each for Dan Stephenson and Jay Errington. Joe Robson notched up 2 goals, with Max Storey and Leighton Hopper contributing 1 each.

In amongst all of that action, the fixtures were released and cup draws were made, with Heaton Stannington to host Emley in the FA Trophy on Fri 5th Sept, and the curtain-raiser for the season will see us make the journey along the coast road to Hillheads Park where we’ll take on Whitley Bay on Sat 2nd August in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.

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, followed by a midweek away trip to Northern League winners Redcar Athletic on Wednesday 13th August, then the visit of Northern League play-off winners Blyth Town on Wednesday 20th August.

And if that’s whetted your appetite for all things Heaton Stan, then you’ve still got time to buy a season ticket for the 2025-26 campaign!

We are delighted to confirm the permanent signing of forward Bailey Adamson ahead of the 2025-26 season, subject to NPL and FA approval.

Bailey returns to The Stan having previously joined on loan from Hebburn Town back in the January of the 2024-25 campaign. The teenager spent his youth career at Lincoln City.

During his loan spell with us he started 10 games and scored twice, including a memorable goal against Newcastle United U21s in the semi-final of the Northumberland Senior Cup.

On his return, Bailey Adamson said,

 “I’m very happy to be back at Heaton Stannington. I enjoyed my time here last time, hopefully I can kick on and score goals.”

Having secured the signing, manager Dean Nicholson shared his thoughts;

 “I’m delighted to get Bailey back in. He was excellent for us and helped us so much in reaching our objectives I’m sure the Stan Army will be buzzing with this one!”

Make sure you’re on the terraces to welcome Bailey back to The Willow Park – get your match tickets now!

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.

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.

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.

Heaton Stannington are delighted to announce the signing of defender Ben Milburn.

In his own words, the 22-year-old is “an old school defender, quite big, good in the air, good in the tackle with a bit of pace.”

Ben joins after leaving Blyth Spartans, having rejoined them last summer from Consett where he was named Player of the Season in his first year, and then appointed vice-captain for the following season. At the beginning of his career, Ben spent time on loan at North Shields where he was part of the side that gained promotion from the Northern League in 2022.

This is Ben’s second spell at Heaton Stan, having joined on loan in January 2025, starting one game in a 2-1 home defeat to Cleethorpes Town, before an injury drew his spell to a premature end.

Upon signing for the club, Ben said: “I’m buzzing. I was here a little bit last year, I know what the lads are like and what the gaffers bring, so I’m buzzing to be back.”

Manager Dean Nicholson said: I’m delighted to get Ben in. He came in last year and we saw huge qualities before injury cut his time here short, but he will be a massive asset for us on and off the field.”