Away Days

Last Updated : 24th Feb 2010 9am - Additional Bus information

The last couple of seasons have seen a marked increase in the number of fans following Whitley Bay on their travels, this section is designed to give you as much information as possible about our opposition, the local area and also will develop to allow fans to car share, arrange bus travel and offer any other tips to help your fellow fans.

Whitley travel to Shildon on Saturday 27th February for an FA Vase tie and we'll attempt to pull together as much information on travelling there as possible.

Ticket prices for the game are £6 for adults and £4 for concessions, these prices will be the same at Hillheads should a replay be required.

Transport

Supporters Coach

"Fisheye Travel" have now filled 3 buses for this game, leaving Fitzgeralds in the town centre at 12, cost £7 for adults.

With the third bus now full no further buses are planned, but fans are urged to arrive early to help expedite payment and seat allocation. Fitzgeralds, which opens at 11am, are offering a free pint to the first 4 Bay fans who go in. Accompanied children under 16 are now travelling free of charge, thanks to the relationship which has developed between Parkside Buses and Fisheye Travel.

There is free parking and a buffet at Elm Road WMC near the ground courtesy of Wilf who is a director at Shildon.

Any people want to get in touch then please email directly on fisheyetravel@live.co.uk

Independant Travel

If you are making your own way to Shildon then the ground Post Code is DL4 1EZ

Come into Shildon on the A688, Turn off onto the B6282, first roundabout (next to the car shop) turn left onto Church Street, travel up to the Old Shildon Workman's Club (CIU) and turn left onto Dean Street, travel 50 yards and turn right into the car park then walk back out and carry on along Dean Street past Primative Street and the ground is on the left.

The Area

For supporters looking for somewhere to go before the game Shildon Elm Road W.M.C would like to welcome Whitley Bay supporters to the Club.

David Bainbridge told us "We are situated 500yds from the ground, have ample parking for cars and coaches, which is C.C.T.V. monitored, bar with snooker table,pool room and function hall. (All have recently been refurbished)

"The best bit is our prices which are £1-70p per pint for Tetley Smooth Flow and Worthington and £1-75p per pint for Carling and Carlsberg. We are open from 12pm, and under 18's, accompanied by an adult are also welcome."

We were also contacted by Phil Blackett from the Old Shildon WMC got in touch with us and has invited any Whitley Bay supporters to our club on the 27th of Feb for the big match. They are only 150 meters from the ground and everyone is welcome including familys for "Good beer, snooker, pool and live football". The car park at the rear of the club is available.

Also, for those who haven't been before, there's an excellent fish and chip shop in Dean Street(Eric's), just a few yards from the ground - good portions at a reasonable price. Beware though they normally close at 2pm.

A Brief History of Shildon Town

Down the years there has been no shortage of proud moments for the Railwaymen as Shildon are affectionately known.

Before the War, the club won four successive titles, a record which stood until Blyth won their fifth in 1984; in 1937 the title was won by going through the season unbeaten, Jack Downing firing 61 league and cup goals. That record came under threat in 2004 when Garry Barnes hit 53 goals in 52 appearances.

The club was formed in 1890 as Shildon Town to play friend lies, or "ordinary matches" in the jargon of the day. In 1892 they were founder members of the Auckland arid District league, and two years later merged with two other Shildon teams - Rangers and Heroes - literally to become United. After a year in the Wear Valley league, United joined the new Northern League division two, but the club folded due to a financial problem in 1900 and the second division ceased the same year.

They re-formed later that year as Shildon Athletic, joining the Northern League in 1903 to replace Stockton St.John's. The Dean Street home was known as the South Durham Athletic Ground, and was also a cycle track.

In 1907 the club joined the semi-professional North Eastern League for 25 years - dropping the "Athletic" in 1932-33, finishing second as a prelude to their great days.

Shildon had already tasted FA Cup glory, the high point a replay win at York City in 1927-28, and in the first round have played Oldham Athletic three times, Brentford, Lincoln City and Scunthorpe United. The club again reached the First Round Proper in Season 2003-04 after a fantastic run before losing 7-2 to Notts County.

The Railwaymen reached the Amateur Cup quarter-finals in 1938 and 1959.

Famous names to represent the club include Stan Seymour - later player and chairman at Newcastle United, Dickie Downs, who won international honours at Barnsley, and Wacker Wild, a tenacious pre-war full back and one of the game?s great characters.

From the officials? ranks, ex-secretary Wilf Dodds went on to become league secretary, president, and FA Council member, the Rev. T F Hampton was one of few clergymen to be a club chairman and Harry Brown is another long-time secretary recalled with great affection. Long serving club secretary and league Management Committee member Mike Armitage became the divisional FA representative in 1997, whilst tea ladies Jean Clarkson and Edith Aisbitt - wife of former chairman Bill -have over 70 years service between them.

The Dean Street turnstiles and distinctive grandstand went up in 1923, and 60 years later a small band of volunteers, plus the small matter of ?45,000, were responsible for new dressing rooms and social club beneath the stand.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson switched on the floodlights when his team played a friendly in May 1987 - appropriate given that the Railwaymen have also been known as the Red Devils.

The Centenary match against Leeds was played in 1991, and in 1994 another ?11,000 was spent on floodlight upgrading. An FA grant helped dressing room refurbishment in 1999, and a new grandstand roof (?3.500) and hospitality portakabin (?11,000) were funded by insurance claims, which followed gale and fire damage.

Shildon regained First Division status by winning the Second Division Championship in Season 2001-02 scoring 135 goals and also finishing runners up in two cup competitions. Then in Season 2002-03 they won the Albany Northern League Challenge Cup with a 3-2 golden goal victory over Billingham Synthonia at Feethams.

Tragedy hit the club in February 2004 when 26 year old player, Lee Hainsworth, who had been with the club for six years was killed in a road accident on his way to training. The club renamed their Brown Street stand in Lee's memory.

Bill Aisbitt, a lifelong stalwart at the club died in june 2003, the boardroom was later named in his honour in recognition of over 50 years of loyal service.

At the end of the 2004 season The Railwaymen suffered a major setback, the club were in serious financial difficulties. Worse still The Chairman had severed all ties with the club leaving players unpaid for weeks. At the end of the season all players left the club followed by the resignation of the Manager, leaving the club in turmoil without any players a manager, chairman and financially crippled.

However the during the close season the club appointed a new Chairman Brian Burn and new Manager Gary Forrest, the club managed to survive thanks to a concerted effort by everyone involved at Shildon A.F.C