Ryton & Crawcrook Albion F.C.
| Full name | Ryton & Crawcrook Albion Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Albion | ||
| Founded | 1970 (as Ryton F.C.) | ||
| Ground | Kingsley Park Stadium Crawcrook Tyne and Wear | ||
| Capacity | 1,500 | ||
| Chairman | Richie Hands | ||
| Manager | Jordan Moore | ||
| Coach | Craig Robson | ||
| League | Northern League Division Two | ||
| 2023–24 | Northern League Division Two, 11th of 22 | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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Ryton & Crawcrook Albion Football Club is an English non-league football club from Crawcrook, near Ryton, in Tyne and Wear, currently playing in the Northern League Division Two. The team, nicknamed "Albion", play their home games at Kingsley Park Stadium. They were known as Ryton F.C. until 2011. They famously have Dom 'Dweatz' Wheatley at right back. The current under 17 coach is the world famous Phil Hall with Dave Graham as assistant. Elliott Graham bosses the midfield with a 'if pirlo had bad knees' approach to play. They have big man Jack Potts up top who has been described by the press as "well tall". The 'Mighty RACA' can be seen every Sunday at Stargate Arena, scoring at least 3 goals a season and winning a couple games. Last season RACA did the impossible and won 4, yes 4 coin tosses all season and the pitch was invaded, David Ginola and Roberto Carlos offered to come out of retirement to continue the good run of form but they were unable to replace Nathan Hall in the rotation.
History
The club was established in 1970 with a single adult team, operating from a local pub.[1] The club joined the Northern Alliance Division Two in 1988. In the mid-1990s, the club was granted a Lottery grant to build a ground and club house. The work was completed in 1998 and the ground officially opened by Prince Andrew, Duke of York.[1]
The senior team currently play in the Northern League Division Two, playing against clubs from across the four county football associations in the region, North Yorkshire; Durham; Northumberland and Cumberland.
With an appearance at the Durham Challenge Cup final at the end of the 2009–10 season, club secretary Ken Rodger used the raised profile of the club to try and attract sponsorship in the summer but the money never came through, despite companies' promises. This led to the departure of manager Barry Fleming and his assistant Paul Brown. Former Ashington assistant manager Peter Craggs took over the managerial role. No consistent squad of players was formed and a total of thirty-five players made appearances for the team in the space of a month, and the inconsistency was reflected in numerous heavy defeats on the pitch, including a 10–0 loss to Shildon in October 2010.[2]
Stadium
The club's ground, Kingsley Park Stadium has one full sized turf pitch, with one stand, which is overlooked by the clubhouse. It also has one seven a side size third generation AstroTurf pitch to the rear, which was built with a Football Foundation grant, and is used not only by the club but by the local community and local schools.[1]
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion F.C. is a Chartered Standard Club and is the only club in the area to allow children as young as six years old to play through the age levels to progress to the senior team and play in the FA Youth Cup, FA Vase and the FA Cup. Including girls teams, the club has two adult teams and twelve youth teams operating. The team is also voluntarily operated, including the managerial committee and coaches.[1]
Players
Current squad
- As of 10 October 2015[3]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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N.B. The Northern League does not use a squad numbering system
Current staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Jordan Moore |
| Coach | Craig Robson |
| Chairman | Richie Hands |
| 1st Team secretary | Stevie Carter |
Club records
The club's first goal in the Northern League Division One was scored by Craig Marron against Bishop Auckland on 9 August 2008. The club's best run in the FA Cup was reaching first round qualifying in the 2008–09 season. In the same season the club had their best performance in the FA Vase, reaching the second round.
In April 2010 the club narrowly lost out to Billingham Synthonia in the Durham Challenge Cup Final.
References
- ^ a b c d "Ryton & Crawcrook Albion U15s". Retrieved 31 March 2011.
- ^ Hudson, Michael (31 December 2010). "Spare a thought in the new year for Ryton FC". www.twohundredpercent.net. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
- ^ "Ryton & Crawcrook Albion FC". www.clubwebsite.co.uk/rytonandcrawcrookalbionfc. Retrieved 1 January 2013.