Category: 2025/26

Ben Milburn returns to Heaton Stan

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.”

Heaton Stan A: Home Shirt Sponsor

We are delighted to confirm that Coast Road Pharmacy will be the new home shirt sponsor for Heaton Stan A in their debut season in the Northern Alliance Premier Division

Coast Road Pharmacy, operated by Newline Pharmacy, are a community focused family-owned business now with six locations. They personally assist patients by providing timely medications, free deliveries, treatment and advice for minor ailments, immunisations, and more.

We are delighted to partner with the team at Coast Road Pharmacy. You can find out more about them at the following locations:

Website: https://newlinepharmacy.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15TehMAvUQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Join the Team: Bar Assistant Needed

We are looking for friendly and hard-working bar staff to join the team at Heaton Stannington Football Club on match days and potentially for non-match day events & functions.

The usual hours for match days will be:

  • Saturdays 1:30pm until 7pm
  • Wednesdays/Fridays 5:30pm until 11pm

Our fixtures are variable, so there is not a set pattern of work we can commit to. For this reason, this role is ideal for someone who has flexibility or is perhaps looking for some extra income. Outside of match days we will be able to offer work on an ad hoc basis for various events and functions.

Previous bar experience is desirable but not essential as training will be given if you have the passion and enthusiasm for working behind the bar. We are looking for people who can work in a busy and fast-paced environment.

Core responsibilities include:

  • Preparing and serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Using a till to take orders and process payments
  • Checking customers identification and age verification
  • Welcoming and engaging with supporters, ensuring they have a positive experience
  • Maintaining a clean and organised bar area
  • Monitoring and replenishing stock levels as needed
  • Clearing tables, wiping surfaces and operating the dishwasher to ensure ample glassware is available

We are a friendly, inclusive and community focused Club and can assure you a positive and supportive working environment. You will be well supported by our existing team of Directors and volunteers. We will pay the real UK Living Wage of £12.60 per hour.

In line with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, we do require all applicants to have the eligibility to live and work in the United Kingdom.

We are based in High Heaton, on Newton Road, close to the Freeman Hospital. Post code NE7 7HP.

If you wish to apply to join our Team, please e-mail info@heatonstan.co.uk with more information about yourself. Please note you must be 18+.

First Team Kit Launch

We are delighted to share the new First Team strips for the 2025-26 season.

Partnering with new NPL benchwear sponsor, Hummel, we will be wearing new custom kit designs which have been developed to retain our core colours and traditional look.

The traditional black & white striped home kit will carry The Willow sponsor on the chest, The Back Page on one sleeve and PitchingIn on the other sleeve. The goalkeeper shirt will be green.

The away shirt will revert to yellow for this season, carrying our new chest sponsor LDL Properties! The Back Page and PitchingIn feature on the sleeves as per the home design. The away goalkeeper shirt will be purple.

We are honoured to carry on our support of a fantastic local charity – Chuf – on the back of our shirts this season. Chuf supports children and families who receive treatment at the Children’s Heart Unit based at the Freeman Hospital and the many other hospitals providing care for cardiac patients throughout the North of England. Find out more and donate: chuf.org.uk

We will release further news of when supporters will be able to purchase the new shirts nearer to the start of the new season!

Heaton Stan Juniors: Club of the Year Finalist

We’re proud to announce that Heaton Stannington Juniors has been named as a Club of the Year Finalist at the Northumberland Football Association Grassroots Football Awards 2025.

Our Juniors team are named as Finalists alongside Whitley Bay Sporting Club and North Shields Juniors.

Speaking of the nomination, Neil Drummond, Club Director at Heaton Stannington FC, said,

“It’s an honour to be shortlisted for this award in only our second year. It’s testament to the hard work and dedication of all of the volunteers and the support of the directors at Heaton Stan”.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the Juniors set-up.

Departing: Jay Hornsby Leaves Heaton Stannington

We can confirm that defender, and long-term servant of Heaton Stan, Jay Hornsby has left the club.

The cultured left back joined Heaton Stannington in the summer of 2021, with previous experience at Ashington and Bedlington, as one of management duo Dean and Andy’s first signings.

He quickly racked up his first 50 starts by December 2022, and would ultimately go on to make his 100th start for The Stan in a 2-0 FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round win against Easington Colliery in August 2024.

Hornsby leaves having made over 140 appearances in all competitions, contributing four goals over the years (including one that earned him Goal of the Season!), in a career with us that has taken him from Northern League Division Two to the Northern Premier League East Division.

His contributions to the last four years, both on and off the pitch, cannot be underestimated, and everyone at Heaton Stan wishes Jay all the best for the future.

New Contract: Kailem Beattie Extends Stay

We’re very pleased to retain defender Kailem Beattie‘s talents with a contract signed for the upcoming season.

Beattie spent his youth career in Sunderland’s academy, and joined Heaton Stannington in the summer of 2024. He spent the second half of the season out on loan at Northern League Division One side Seaham Red Star where he made 16 appearances and hit the back of the net twice.

Eyes on the future – and Kailem is firmly part of it.

Fresh Ink: Alfie Marriott Signs On For 2025-26

Heaton Stan are pleased to have extended the stay of defender Alfie Marriott, with him signing a contract for the new season ahead.

Marriott joined the club in February 2023 on an initial loan from South Shields, before making the move permanent. Since then he’s made 38 starts and a further 27 appearances from the bench for The Stan.

We’re excited to see what the next chapter brings for Alfie.

Andy Burn Signs New Deal

We’re happy to confirm that midfielder Andy Burn has signed a new contract for another year with Heaton Stannington.

Burn has made over 115 starts for The Stan, notching up 20 goals along the way, including important strikes such as the one in the playoff final as we gained promotion to the Northern Premier League East Division, and successfully converting his spot kick in our penalty shoot-out win on our way to lift the Northumberland Senior Cup.

He’s the latest member of the first team to sign a new deal ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Review all of the latest news.

Heaton Stan Academy Recruitment

Calling all school leavers, we are recruiting for September for our Heaton Stannington Academy programme through Pro:Direct Academy Newcastle.

Our full-time education & football program offers a unique opportunity for those with a passion for sport aged 16-19. If you would like more information or to apply please email academy@heatonstan.co.uk or message our Academy manager Carl on 07988849996.

You can find out more about the relationship between our Junior Teams, the Academy and the Heaton Stan first team in a recent interview between our media officer Liam, club director Neil Drummond and first team coach and academy manager Carl Chater here.