After a period of sustained growth, which has included our recent rise up the football pyramid and consolidation of our place at Step 4 of the National League System, with a record seventh place finish in the Northern Premier League East division, Heaton Stannington FC has transitioned to a new corporate structure in order to future-proof the club.

Over the last few years we’ve continued to welcome record numbers of fans to games, invested more than £250,000 into facilities and the experience at The Willow Park thanks to support from the Premier League Stadium Fund, expanded our Stan Army volunteer base to more than 100 people, established and grown our Heaton Stan Juniors division to more than 40 teams, 500 players, and 85 FA-qualified coaches, and seen our Stan A reserves side win back-to-back promotions to reach the Northern Alliance Premier Division.

With this growth and success, both on and off the pitch, and our continued ambition, the time was right to reassess the corporate structure of the club, providing a robust legal framework to professionalise operations moving forward.

Scott Lyndon, Co-Chair and Club Secretary, said:

“This is a significant milestone in the club’s history. While promotion and cup finals naturally attract attention, ensuring the club has a modern and sustainable governance structure is equally important for our long-term future. Having grown significantly in recent years, we outgrew the unincorporated model that had served the club for more than a century. This new structure provides a scalable framework that will help ensure Heaton Stannington remains sustainable and community-focused for generations to come.”

The club called on the team at Muckle LLP and accounting firm, Azets, to support the incorporation. To formalise and update the governance of the club and set it on a more professional footing for the future.

As part of the new structure, the inaugural board of directors comprises existing club committee members Scott Lyndon (Co-Chair and Secretary), Neil Drummond (Co-Chair), George Clark (Treasurer), and Kevin Mochrie, alongside newly appointed directors Craig Swinhoe and Lee Massingham. A number of custodian trustees have also been appointed to safeguard the club’s long-term interests and provide additional protection over the future of the Club.

The club, its directors and trustees will continue to put the interests of fans, its members and the community at the heart of everything it does and will remain volunteer-run and self-funded.

If you’re itching to get some football fixtures in the calendar, we have some good news for you! The draws for the early rounds of the Emirates FA Cup, The Isuzu FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup have been made, and this is what happened…

In The Isuzu FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round, we’ll welcome Wythenshawe to The Willow Park on Saturday 29th August 2026. Wythenshawe are making their return to the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division in this upcoming season after promotion from the North West Counties League Premier Division as champions earlier this year.

For the first time we have received a bye in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round and progress straight to the Preliminary Round where we’ll face an away trip to either Newton Aycliffe or Kendal Town. Both sides will be playing in the Northern League this season, Newton Aycliffe having been relegated from the Northern Premier League East Division, and Kendal Town having finished seventh in the division. That tie will be played on the weekend of Saturday 22nd August 2026.

Our academy side will once again participate in the FA Youth Cup, receiving a bye in the Extra Preliminary Round and proceeding straight to the Preliminary Round where they’ll take on Blyth Spartans at home. The tie will be played in the week commencing Monday 31st August 2026.

Make sure you’re following @heatonstan on Facebook, Instagram, X and Bluesky for confirmation of kick-off dates, times and venues.

Heaton Stannington are delighted to announce the signing of versatile defender Alex Fil.

The 22-year-old joins from Blyth Town where he was an integral part of back-to-back promotions, taking the club from Northern League Division 2 to the Northern Premier League East Division. Last season he made 23 league starts and 10 league substitute appearances, scoring in victories against North Ferriby and local rivals Blyth Spartans.

Fil says he mainly plays as a centre back or full back, but is known for his flexibility to play across the pitch, helping the team in any way that he can, be that defensively or going up the other way to create opportunities.

Upon signing for the club, Alex Fil says:

“I’m raring to go, I can’t wait to get the season started. The main motivation for me to make the move was the reputation of the club and the ambitions it has for the season ahead, both in the league and the cup. I only live a couple of minutes away from the ground, so I’ve always been aware of the club’s reputation and what it’s trying to build. Seeing the quality of the lads who’ve also signed makes it clear that everyone recognises those ambitions too. After last year, I’d love to get into those play-off spots and push on to get promotion.”

Manager Dean Nicholson says:

“This is another signing which we have been chasing and we’re delighted to get it done. Alex is a big, strong commanding leader who is versatile and will fit right into the squad we are building. Welcome to the club, Alex!”

The 2025/26 season may have just finished, but preparations are already underway for 2026/27, and we can now reveal who we’ll be facing and where we’ll be going as part of our forthcoming pre-season ahead of a third year in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division!

Our first game is a trip to neighbours Newcastle Benfield on Friday 3rd July, kick-off 7.30pm, as we contest the Jimmy Rowe Cup for the sixth time.

Next, we travel to Hebburn Town, who will be playing in the National League North for the first time this season after finishing top of the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division. That takes place on Tuesday 7th July, kick-off 7:30pm.

We return to The Willow Park on Saturday 11th July to face National League side Gateshead. That one kicks off at 3pm.

We’ve got an inter-club match on Tuesday 14th July at 7:30pm as the Heaton Stan first team take on Heaton Stannington A, who come off the back of a very successful debut season at the top level of the Northern Alliance.

On Saturday 18th July, we’re taking a trip across the Scottish border to face Dunbar United, who finished 8th in last season’s East of Scotland League Premier Division. Kick-off at New Countess Road is at 3pm. Seats for our bus to Dunbar cost £20 per person and can be booked here.

A shorter away trip follows on Tuesday 21st July, kick-off 7:30pm, as we visit Seaham Red Star, who finished 5th in Northern League Division 2 this year, but missed out on promotion through the play-offs.

And finally, we end pre-season with a tough test at home to Basford United on Saturday 1st August, kick-off 3pm. The Nottingham-based side play in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Midlands Division and were unlucky to miss out on promotion after finishing 3rd.

For pre-season friendlies at home, tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions (over 65 and students with ID) and just £1 for under 16s (accompanied by an adult). Tickets will only be available to purchase on the day at the gate with cash or card – there won’t be any advance online sales.

Make sure you’re following @heatonstan across Facebook, X, Instagram and BlueSky for all of the latest updates.

Heaton Stannington are delighted to announce the signing of experienced striker Sado Djalo.

The 34-year-old joins after two spells at Dunston where he firmly established himself as a fan favourite, making 181 appearances and scoring 47 goals.

Djalo describes himself as a team player who likes to give everything, help his team mates, and of course, as a striker, score goals.

Upon signing for the club, Sado Djalo said:

“I’m so excited. I can’t wait to meet the boys and start my new chapter with this amazing club. I think it was time to try a new project, meet new people and give myself a chance to learn more about football. My ambition for the season ahead is to get promoted, win trophies and score goals.”

Manager Dean Nicholson said:

“This is a big signing for us. Andy and I tried to bring Sado to the club six years ago and we’ve watched his rise ever since. He’s a player who can score, assist, and has so many other positive attributes. He will be a brilliant addition to the squad, and we look forward to seeing him in action.”’

We are recruiting for a new Club Physio for Heaton Stannington FC.

This is a great opportunity to join a progressive Step 4 Club. You will ideally have Level 3 Emergency Medical First aid in Football (EMFAiF) or above, but if you don’t we will support your training to this level.

This is a paid position. To discuss further please contact scott.lyndon@heatonstan.co.uk

Heaton Stannington FC 2026/27 season tickets are now on sale.

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Both Adult and Child season ticket prices have been frozen, with Concessions seeing a modest £5 increase on last year’s prices.

Last season our home fixtures in the league ended in 9 wins and 5 draws, with 48 goals witnessed by the Stan Army. Be part of our Northern Premier League East division play-off push by backing the lads at The Willow Park and supporting your club.

Season Ticket Prices:
Adult: £155
Concession: £90 (over 65 and student with ID)
Under 16: £30

Match Day Admission:
Adult: £10
Concession: £7
Under 16: £2

Every season ticket order will receive a physical card (to be issued in due course) but the platform will also let you select a digital card on Apple and Android devices if you wish to download them to your digital wallet. Those who do opt to receive the digital season ticket will still receive a physical card.

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We’d like to thank our season ticket sponsor, KT Flooring.

Heaton Stannington are delighted to announce that Dean Smith has been appointed as our new First Team Goalkeeper Coach.

The 39-year-old has previous experience with Newcastle Benfield and Washington, and replaced outgoing goalkeeper coach Tom Flynn who announced his departure at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Upon his appointment, Dean Smith said:

“I’m over the moon. After speaking with Andy (McBride), I knew this would be a great place to be, and I feel like I fit in place with the lads already. They have a great ambition for the future of the Stan and I wanted to be part of it. I coached against the Stan last season with Benfield and really enjoyed the ground, and the fans were lovely to us. The atmosphere was incredible that day. For the Stan, as the Goalkeeper Coach, I will ensure that we will be protecting that back line like a brick wall. The project is to build on last season’s seventh-placed finish and continue the upwards trajectory. I think the fans would love to see the Stan in the Premier Division.”

Manager Dean Nicholson said:

“With every loss comes an addition. With Tom going, we knew a new goalkeeping coach was important. We spoke to a lot of people, but Dean was the standout. I look forward to working with him, and he’s someone I’m sure will improve us again with the high standards that he sets.”

Heaton Stannington are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Ollie Basey.

The 22-year-old joins from Newcastle Benfield where he made 16 appearances in all competitions, after moving from Whickham. He previously played for Blyth Spartans and Gateshead, having started his career in the academies of Sunderland and Birmingham City, winning Premier League 2 with the latter.

In his own words, Basey is “a calm goalkeeper that puts confidence and reassurance into my defence with my presence and communication.”

Upon signing for the club, Ollie Basey said:

“⁠I’m very excited to be joining a club with so much potential and ambition to improve. ⁠I’m aware of the recent success this club has had, and when you combine that with some great signings this summer already, it is a very exciting opportunity. I believe with the staff and the team they are building, we should be aiming for playoffs and above.” 

Manager Dean Nicholson said:

“I’m happy to get Ollie in. We have lost Alfie Gordon, so we felt it was important to add quality into the goalkeeping department, which we have done. He’s a big lad, he does the basics really well, and he’s someone I’m sure will be another good addition.”