Stockton Town
Andy Clinton - Matchday 9
A first for myself, and for almost all of Ashton United’s fans this weekend barring the avid groundhoppers amongst us as Stockton Town FC and the Robins faced off for the very first time in both club’s histories, following their steady ascendancy through the leagues. Stockton made it into the top flight of the Northern Premier League after a sustained period of relative success in the division below. Cruelly robbed of what appeared to be a certain league title by the global pandemic in 19/20, they led the league by 13 points with just 8 games to play when all league results were declared null and void, and they were defeated twice in the play off final by Marske and Long Eaton in 21/22 and 22/23 respectively. Last season, at the fourth attempt (and their third successive play off final), they managed to get over the line, overcoming Dunston on penalties to secure the seemingly ever elusive Northern Premier League place.
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I wouldn’t normally start these articles with a run down of the club’s history, but 4 promotions in 8 years is guaranteed to have a drastic effect on the goings on for any club in any part of the pyramid. In order to adapt to new and changing league rules, ensure spectator safety and the self-sustainability of a club, you have to have the right people at the helm, and of course, you need volunteers! The number of changes that are enforced upon a club at each step mean that you need all year-round input from volunteers, just to remain compliant, whilst also trying to ensure the day to day running of the club.
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One man has been there for almost all of that succes, and following a very busy afternoon for Andy, taking charge of the turnstiles, then cashing up, the half time draw and overseeing the stewards in the ground throughout the game (just a normal matchday for him!) myself and Co-Chairman Jonathan Burke were fortunate enough to enjoy a beer with Andy Clinton and matchday secretary Rob Sexton after the game, where Jonathan presented Andy with his #volunteersmatter shirt. The hospitality suite was a hub of conversation and there were a number of both matchday and long-term sponsors enjoying the atmosphere after a very well contested game. We found out just what they have achieved as a club in order to give them the best chances of success at the highest level Stockton have played at.
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From general match day duties, to the education and development of their academy in partnership with the Sixth Form College, the list was seemingly endless and only the tireless efforts of volunteers at the club have helped to keep this running. The passion and commitment from Andy and a handful of other volunteers to adhere to such a task can only be admired, and hopefully mirrored, by volunteers across the country. Even now, almost 4 months into the season, they are still working hard to obtain the ground grading certification from the league by adding more seats and new turnstiles to the Map Group UK Stadium.
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Everyone at Ashton United and Ashton United Supporter’s Club would like to wish Andy and his team mates the very best for the rest of their season and we very much look forward to reciprocating the hospitality on your return visit to Hurst Cross in March.