A NEW chapter begins for Barnard Castle FC when the club’s 2022/23 season kicks off later this month.
The club has joined the Wearside League with new manager Tommy Lowther starting his first full campaign in charge.
Mr Lowther was on the touchline at the end of last season when Barney signed off from the Crook and District League by winning both the Alan Britton Memorial Trophy and South Durham Charity Bowl.
He takes over from Geoff Thwaites, who stood down after 25 years, and is relishing the challenge, having played the game since childhood.
“I played semi-pro in London and I’ve played all over the country, including the leagues on a Saturday and Sunday locally,” he said.
Mr Lowther, the founder of the Sporting Force charity, which supports ex-service personnel through sport – mainly football – decided to give the Barney manager’s job a go after giving it plenty of thought.
“I have been that busy with work I needed something for me,” said Mr Lowther.
“I saw they were looking for someone, looked at it a few times and ummed and ahhed about it. In the end it was my wife who said why don’t you go for it.”
He added: “Geoff has left big boots to fill but to have him still at the club, helping out and giving bits of advice is really helpful.
“We have now moved into a more competitive league and I am really looking forward to it.”
Barnard Castle FC is continuing with its plans to merge with the town’s junior football club and the relationship between the two is already beginning to bear fruit with some of the U18 players – who this term form an U20s team – featuring towards the end of last season.
Barney have also picked up a couple of players who turned out for Glaxo Rangers FC before the club folded mid-way through last season.
Mr Lowther said: “We can’t keep relying on the old heads. That’s when we started looking at the under 18s and bringing them through.”
Unlike the Crook and District League set-up, which left gaps in the fixture list that could see the team go long stretches without a game, the side is guaranteed matches every week in the Wearside League.
Starting out in the third division, Barney will kick off the campaign at home on Saturday, August 20, against Roseberry Park FC, a team from Seaham.
The following week, August 27, Barney welcome Consett AFC Reserves to Tensfield in the first round of the third division challenge cup.
Mr Lowther said he hopes football fans will turn out to support Barney’s home games.
Moving on to the Wearside League also means more travelling, with trips to Gateshead, Teesside and east Durham on the cards, however, Mr Lowther plans to make good use of his charity’s minibus for away days.
Mr Lowther said the team will travel hopefully.
“My ambitions for the season include looking to get promoted and challenging for silverware.”
Ebac Northern League
WEST Auckland Town FC kicked off the new campaign with a 2-2 draw away at Heaton Stannington on Friday night.
West found themselves two goals down inside 15 minutes, but fought back thanks to strikes from Danni Lay and Liam Potter.
Crook and District League
JUST one side from the dale will compete in the Crook and District Football league this season.
Evenwood Town FC kick off their campaign with an away game against Howden Australian FC on Saturday, August 6.
Then on Wednesday, August 10, Evewnood host Heighington at the Randolph Social Welfare ground (kick off 6.15pm).
There are just 12 teams in the league this term, making up one division.
Darlington Sunday Morning Invitation League
WITH the demise after four decades of the Wear Valley Sunday League, the dale will be well represented in the Darlington league, which this season will operate two divisions.
In the top fight, Staindrop Wheatsheaf, who challenged for honours last season, will fly the flag for Teesdale, with West Auckland Sports Bar also in division one.
Staindrop kick off their campaign on Sunday away to Darlington Rolling Mills, while Sports Bar are at home to Darlington Grey Horse.
Middleton Wanderers, Gainford Cross Keys and Toft Hill Three Tuns will all play in the second division.
Gainford kick off away to Newton Aycliffe WMC, while Toft Hill are at Darlington Shuttle and Loom.
