Category: 2025/26

Northumberland Senior Cup Final 2026

Heaton Stan look ahead to the Newcastle Flooring Company Northumberland Senior Cup 25/26 final, as we look to defend the trophy we won at St James’ Park last season.

Details for the day

⚽ Heaton Stannington vs Whitley Bay
🏆 Northumberland Senior Cup Final
📅 Tuesday 5th May, 2026
🕘  7.30pm kick-off
📍 St James’ Park, Newcastle
🎫  £8 Adults, £4 Concessions (0ver 60s), £2 U18s
💵 Cash payments only – pay on the gate
🚪 Entry through East Stand turnstiles 39-47

 

Thanks to our Match Sponsor

 

The road to St James’ Park

The path to the final has been a shorter one this year, entering the competition at the Quarter Final stage thanks to our win over Morpeth Town last year to win the cup.

We started this year’s campaign as we ended the last, with a penalty shoot-out win, this time after a 1-1 draw at home to Blyth Town on Tue 3 February 2026. Dale Pearson scored our goal in normal time, with goals from the penalty spot by Leighton Hopper, Pearson, and Max Storey and a save from Alfie Gordon securing our passage to the next round.

In the Semi Finals we met Newcastle University back at The Willow Park on Wed 15 April 2026. Despite an early scare from the Uni, scoring in the 11th minute, The Stan ran out 5-1 winners, with goals from Joe Robson, Max Storey, Leighton Hopper, and a brace from Dale Pearson completing the scoring.

 

The opposition lowdown

We face Whitley Bay in the final, after a strong season in Northern League Division 1 earned a 3rd place finish, losing their play-off Semi Final against West Auckland Town 1-3 on Sat 25th April 2026.

Their Senior Cup run started back in October, with a 2-0 win over West Allotment Celtic seeing them through to the Quarter Final stage.

That Quarter Final match seemed like it would never happen at one point, after the fixture against North Shields was postponed three times, first in January, then February and again in March, before finally being played in April where Whitley Bay ran out 2-1 winners against their El Coastico derby rivals.

Just 17 days later, Newcastle Benfield hosted Whitley Bay for the Semi-Finals, where a 0-1 win resulted in them being confirmed as our opponents for the St James’ Park clash.

 

Words from the gaffer

Heaton Stan manager, Dean Nicholson, speaking after the Semi-Final win said:

“The Senior Cup was always going to be a tough one to go and re-enact, so to be in the final again is a massive achievement, it’ll be a huge night…”

 

Remembering last May

While we wait for Tuesday night, you can whet your appetite for Final action by reading the match report from the win over Morpeth last year or watch the video capturing the events and reactions of the day below:

Tom Flynn leaving the club

Heaton Stannington are sad to announce that player-goalkeeping coach Tom Flynn is leaving the club at the end of the season.

Flynn joined the club in 2021 and although he only made two appearances in his first season, he made a big impact behind the scenes as the club secured promotion to Northern League Division One.

In our first game of this season, Flynn started in goal and kept a clean sheet, making several important saves to secure a 1-0 win in the FA Cup at Whitley Bay.

Flynn has been part of two promotions and our Northumberland Senior Cup final win, and will be in the dugout one final time when we return to St. James’ Park on May 5th.

Tom Flynn says:

“It’s been a brilliant five years, and I’m just proud of what the club has achieved, and proud to be part of it, be it as coach or as a player. I’ve always tried to help where I can. It’s a shame to leave it, but life, things happen and you have to prioritise elsewhere.”

 

 

Manager Dean Nicholson says:

“I want to say a huge thank you to Tom. He came to this club on day one of me taking over and has been amazing. His positivity is something which I will miss. He’s a top guy and someone I am happy to say is a friend. We wish him and the family all the best and he will always be a member of the Stan Army.”

Heaton Stannington joint chairman Scott Lyndon says:

“On behalf of everyone at the Club, I would like to thank Tom for his service over the last five years. Tom has been an ever present in the management team since Dean and Andy’s arrival and has played many pivotal roles – player, goalkeeper coach and a good mate to many. You won’t find a nicer bloke in non-league football. I’d like to wish Tom, Charlotte and their family all the very best for the future. Tom is always welcome at The Willow Park!”

Lewis Brass returns

We’re delighted to welcome goalkeeper Lewis Brass back to Heaton Stannington for a second spell at the Club.

The 29-year-old first joined the club in July 2023, going on to make 77 appearances, including the 2025 Northumberland Senior Cup Final victory over Morpeth Town at St. James’ Park where he saved two penalties to help the Stan win the shoot-out.

On his return to the club, manager Dean Nicholson said:

“We have had chats with Lewis and we feel now is the right time to bring him back. We have a strong goalkeeping department which Lewis was the spearhead of for many years. I’m happy to bring him back in as he’s another one who knows what it means to play for this football club.”

Jay Hornsby rejoins the Stan

We are delighted to confirm the return of Jay Hornsby to the Club!

Jay was one of Dean & Andy’s first signings in 2021, departing at the end of last season after making 142 appearances (including 109 starts and 4 goals). He joined his home town Club, Ashington, in the Northern Premier League East. We are pleased to welcome Jay, a no-nonsense defender and fans favourite, back to the Stan.

Dean Nicholson had this to say:

I’m delighted to get Jay back into the club. He was one of the first signings me and Andy made at the club and we were gutted to lose him.

Once we heard we could get the deal done, we jumped at it. His attitude and desire is second to none and a hugely popular character in the dressing room.

I’m sure it’s one for the Stan Army to be cheering tonight!

Evan Blaney Returns to The Stan

We are pleased to announce the signing of young full back Evan Blaney from South Shields.

The teenager links back up with Heaton Stannington after starting out as part of our Under-18 set-up, and making six appearances for Stan A before moving to South Shields academy.

Having graduated from their academy, Blaney made his first team debut for The Mariners as a substitute in their 6-2 FA Trophy 2nd Round match against Dunston in November 2025 – he’s made two further sub appearances since, including his National League North debut in their 2-1 win away to Darlington in December 2025.

Manager Dean Nicholson says:

“I’m happy to get Evan into the group. He’s a lad we have watched since playing for our Juniors, which just shows how the progression at the club can work. We look forward to now bringing him into the first team and seeing how he progresses further.”

Everyone at Heaton Stan are delighted to welcome Stan Juniors alumni Evan back to the club and look forward to seeing him pulling on the black and white stripes again – this time for the First Team.

CAMRA Tyneside Social Club of the Year 2026

We are pleased to announce that Heaton Stannington FC has been named as Tyneside Social Club of the year for 2026.

The award follows a vote amongst members of Tyneside and Northumberland CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Branch, with the shortlist having been selected based on scores from CAMRA’s National Beer Scoring System (the same system used to select pubs for the Good Beer Guide). You can view all of the winners here. For a pub or club to be eligible it must sell at least one real ale – regulars to the bar at Heaton Stan will know we usually have a couple ready to pour.

Since 2020 we’ve been named as the CAMRA Tyneside Club of the Year in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and now 2026, as well as Overall (Tyneside & Northumberland) Club of the Year in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Alongside being open on match days, our social club is open 7pm – 10.30pm on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to have a quiet drink and a chat, or want to join in one of our quiz nights – held every other Thursday, everyone is welcome in the Heaton Stan clubhouse, and you can also sign up to purchase a Social Club Membership for just £10 a year.

We have a regular schedule of events, including the ever-popular Heaton Stan Comedy Night, with the next event planned for 26th Feb, and the king of swing singer Jason Isaacs performing on 20th Feb.

Furthermore, the Lounge is now available to hire for your own private events – host up to 100 people from just £75 – find out more here.

Thank you to all patrons, volunteers and staff that contributed to making Heaton Stan the Tyneside Social Club of the Year!

Stephenson Departs

Dan Stephenson has departed Heaton Stannington FC.

The versatile defender/midfielder joined the club in the summer of 2021 and went on to make over 170 appearances for the Stan.

We would like to place on record our thanks to Dan for all his contributions during his time with the club and wish him well for the future.

Nicky Deverdics signs for the Stan

Heaton Stannington are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Nicky Deverdics, subject to league approval.

The 38-year-old brings a wealth of experience, having started his career as a trainee at Newcastle United, before playing for a host of North East non-league clubs such as Gateshead and Blyth Spartans, in the Football League with Barnet and Hartlepool United, in the National League with Alfreton Town, Dover Athletic and Wrexham, with spells in Iceland and the Faroe Islands as well.

Manager Dean Nicholson had this to say on the signing of Nicky Deverdics:

“I’m over the moon with the signing of Nicky. He’s had an established career in the game and still has the hunger to make this season his best yet.He comes into an already very strong squad and makes us even stronger which is huge.”

Welcome to the Stan, Nicky!

Photo credit: Blyth Spartans FC

Stan The Can

It’s back by popular demand: Stan The Can, the Non-Leage Pale.

A perfect Christmas treat for yourself or gift for your family and friends. Our thanks to Dave Bogie of Overkill Brewery, Brandling Villa South Gosforth for devoting this brewing run to the 3.8% ABV ale that flew off our shelves in the summer.

Described as an honest, hop forward beer with a natural haze, designed to be drunk cold and fresh, wherever you feel like it, Stan The Can will be available from the Can Van at The Willow Park, from Saturday 20/12 at the Redcar home game for £5 per can.

Come and visit us and treat yourself!

Due to the postponement of the Redcar game, the can van will be open to sell Stan the Can from 6-8pm Monday and Tuesday this week.

Toy Donations

We today delivered your toy donations to Building Futures East; who will wrap and deliver these to children in our region.

Thank you again to our brilliant supporters who have contributed and helped to make a difference to a local child this Christmas.

Thank you also to the wonderful staff and helpers at Building Futures East who have gone above and beyond to support the East End community in so many ways over the the last 20 years. It is incredibly sad that the current economic climate means they cannot secure vital funding needed to continue and will be closing for good at the end of next week.

We wish them all the best for the future.