Ryton & Crawcrook Albion have confirmed their pre-season schedule ahead of the 2025/26 Ebac Northern League Division Two campaign, with six fixtures lined up.

Preparations officially get underway with the return to training on Saturday 7th June, giving manager Nathan Beckham and his coaching staff ample time to assess the squad and implement plans ahead of the new season, which is set to begin on Saturday 26th July.

The pre-season fixture list kicks off on Saturday 5th July with a trip to Easington Colliery. They finished 13th in their first season in the First Division last term and impressed with a League Cup triumph, making them strong opposition to start the schedule. 

Next up is a midweek fixture at Ponteland United on Wednesday 9th July. Ponteland compete in the Northern Football Alliance Premier Division and finished last season in 6th place.

On Saturday 12th July, Albion supporters will get their first chance to see the team at home as Newcastle Chemfica visit the Oldhaulage Stadium. Chemfica also play in the Alliance and enjoyed a strong campaign, finishing 7th and securing silverware with a Bill Gardner Cup win.

A quick turnaround sees Ryton make a short trip to face Birtley Town on Monday 14th July. Another First Division side, Birtley ended their season in 16th position and will provide another stern test against higher-tier opposition.

The schedule continues on Wednesday 16th July with an away match at Wallington, who were one of the top-performing teams in the Alliance, finishing 3rd.

Finally, pre-season concludes with a home clash on Saturday 19th July against Collegians, a side from the top tier of the Yorkshire Amateur League – the equivalent level to the Alliance. Kick-off at the Oldhaulage Stadium is set for 1pm.

With a strong mix of opposition lined up, the pre-season campaign will offer plenty of minutes and opportunities for players to impress before the real action kicks off. 

Ticketing information for all pre-season friendlies will follow in due course.

Please note that fixtures, venues, dates and kick-off times are subject to change.

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion are pleased to confirm that Jack Salkeld has returned to the Club ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The commanding centre half rejoins the club after a spell with Tow Law Town last term, adding steel and experience to our defensive line.

Manager Nathan Beckham said: “I’m absolutely delighted to bring Jack back to the club. 

“He’s a powerful, no-nonsense centre half with a great attitude and a real presence at the back.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch in Ryton colours.”

Welcome back, Jack!

Join us this Friday the 6th of June at the RACA Clubhouse from 7pm for the RACA Awards 2025 as we mark the end of the 2024/25 season and get ready for the next.

There’ll be food, entertainment, and a chance to show appreciation for the effort put in, both on and off the pitch.

Everyone welcome.

The event is kindly sponsored by Gary & Victoria Stewart, who we thank for their support!

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion are delighted to confirm the signing of George Hayton ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The commanding defender arrives from fellow Northern League Division Two side Jarrow, bringing leadership, experience, and quality to our back line.

Manager Nathan Beckham shared his thoughts: “George is a player I’ve been keen to bring in for a couple of seasons now.

“He’s a top centre half, a real leader, and someone I’ve always believed would be a great fit for us.

“We were close to securing him this time last year, so I’m absolutely delighted to finally get the deal over the line.

“He had several options on the table, so to land him is a real coup for the club.”

Welcome to Ryton, George!

A quick look at what our rivals have been up to this week.

NEWS

Darlington Town- Keeper Phil Pentony has decided against retirement and will stay with Town another season.

Grangetown BC- Former Durham City manager Wayne Gredziak and Paul Carr have joined Grangetown Boys Club to support first team manager Curtis Collantine 

Redcar Town- Announce the signing of 5 time Northern League Division One winner Craig Gott. having won the last two Northern League Division One titles with Redcar Athletic and Bishop Auckland. A former Northern League player of the year, Gott’s other former clubs include Darlington, Spennymoor Town and Marske United. Two ex Marske players, forward Kyren Clarke and midfielder Josh Duffman have also signed for Town.

Seaham Red Star- Have announced that defender Mason Burton has signed an extended contract with the Wearside club. There can’t be many Division 2 players on a contract for the coming season. Ryan Appleby has also joined Star from Billingham Synthonia

Tow Law Town- Announce that Danny Mellanby has joined The Lawyers as Assistant Manager & Jordan Tomlinson as Team Coach

Yarm & Eaglescliffe– Have put Josh Marshall on a contract for the upcoming season

PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES BY CLUB

AFC Newbiggin- 01/07 H Whitley Bay, 05/07 H Rothbury, 08/07 North Shields, 14/07 H Ashington, 18/07 A Stobswood Welfare, 23/07 A Cramlington United.

Alnwick Town– 05/07 H Whickham

Billingham Synthonia- 05/07 A Wynyard Village, 08/07 Marske United A, 11/07 Wolviston A, 15/07 A Stockton Town, 18/07 A Norton & Stockton Ancients

Billingham Town- 11/07 H Stockton Town

Boldon CA- 04/07 H Newcastle Blue Star, 08/07 H Whickham

Chester-le-Street Town- 02/07 A Thornaby, 05/07 A South Moor, 08/07 A Washington, 12/07 A Whitley Bay, 18/07 H Birtley Town, 22/07 A Newcastle Blue Star

Darlington Town- 05/07 H Bishop Auckland

Durham United- tbc

Esh Winning- 05/07 A Brandon United

FC Hartlepool- tbc

Grangetown BC- tbc

Jarrow- 11/07 A Birtley Town

Newcastle University– tbc

Park View Academy- tbc

Prudhoe YC Seniors- 19/07 H Whickham, 26/07 H Birtley Town

Redcar Town- 11/07 H Bishop Auckland, 15/07 H Guisborough

Seaham Red Star- 02/07 tbc Whickham, 05/07 A Washington, 08/07 A Willington, 12/07 A Burradon & New Fordley, 15/07 tbc Leam Rangers, 18/07 H Heaton Stannington, 19/07 H Ollerton Town.

Sunderland RCA- tbc

Sunderland West End- tbc

Tow Law Town- 05/07 H West Auckland, 08/07 H Blyth Spartans, 12/07 H Whickham, 16/07 A Willington, 19/07 A Barnard Castle

Yarm & Eaglescliffe– 04/07 A Crook Town CA, 09/07 H Yarm & Eaglescliffe Reserves, 12/07 A Brandon United, 15/07 A Northallerton Town, 22/07 A Seaton Carew

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion are thrilled to confirm that Louis Anderson has agreed to join the club for the upcoming season.

A powerful centre forward who needs no introduction, Louis returns to Ryton following a successful spell with Heaton Stannington.

Manager Nathan Beckham shared his thoughts on the signing: “I’m absolutely delighted to bring Louis back to the club.

“He’s a centre forward with real pedigree and securing his signature is a major coup for us.

“This is shaping up to be an exciting season, and Louis is the first of several new additions we’re looking forward to announcing.”

Welcome back, Louis!

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Pae as the club’s new Assistant Manager.

Mark will work closely alongside Manager Nathan Beckham and will also take on the role of Lead Coach, playing a pivotal part in the club’s football operations and player development.

Currently working towards his UEFA A Licence, Mark arrives with a wealth of experience, most recently enjoying great success at Heaton Stannington. His knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to coaching will be a huge asset to the Club as we look to move forward.

Speaking on the appointment, Beckham said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to have Mark on board as we begin to rebuild after a disappointing season.

“The depth and detail he brings to his coaching is already evident, and his experience will be invaluable in the months ahead.

“We’ve got some exciting signings lined up this summer, but I’d say this one will take some topping. Mark’s arrival has given me a new lease of life, and that energy and enthusiasm will only drive us forward.”

Welcome to RACA, Mark!

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion are pleased to confirm the second addition to our management team this summer, with Andy Taylor joining the Club to work alongside Manager Nathan Beckham and Assistant Manager Mark Pae.

Andy arrives following a successful spell with Hebburn Town Reserves, bringing with him a strong understanding of the local non-league scene and a clear drive to grow and succeed in senior football.

Manager Beckham commented on the appointment: “I identified Andy early on as someone I wanted to bring into the Club.

“I followed a similar path myself in my first role as a manager and enjoyed great success — I believe Andy is ready to take that same step.

“He has excellent knowledge of the non-league landscape and his energy, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn are a breath of fresh air.

“Off the pitch, we’ve now built a really strong foundation heading into pre-season. The hard work starts now — and Andy, Mark, and I are all buzzing to get going.”

Welcome to the club, Andy!

A Weekly Look At What Our Division 2 Rivals Are Doing Pre-Season

ALNWICK TOWN– have a pre-season friendly at home to Whickham on 5th July

BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA– are ‘away’ to landlords Stockton Town on Tuesday 15th July

BILLINGHAM TOWN– host Stockton Town in a pre-season friendly on Friday 11th July

BOLDON CA– confirm that joint managers David Palmer and Dan Crooks have committed to being in charge at the Villa for the start of the 25/26 season with skipper Chris Spence joining the management team in a player / coach role. They also host Newcastle Blue Star on Friday 4th July in a pre-season friendly.

CHESTER LE STREET TOWN- have arranged five pre-season friendlies, 2nd July A Thornaby, 5th July A South Moor, 8th July A Washington, 18th July H Birtley Town, 22/07 A Newcastle Blue Star

DARLINGTON TOWN– announce Will Maddison has earned a one year contract with Darlington FC

ESH WINNING– are away to Brandon United on Saturday July 5th in a pre-season friendly

PARK VIEW ACADEMY – confirm The Riverside will be their home venue for their senior side during the 2025/2026 season.

PRUDHOE YC– have a pre-season friendly at home to Whickham on July 19th

SEAHAM RED STAR – have arranged six pre-season friendlies. They play Whickham on 2nd July, venue tbc, are away to Willington on 8th July, away to Burradon & New Fordley on 12th July, play Leam Rangers on 15th July the venue to be decided, host Heaton Stannington on Friday 18th July and Nottinghamshire club Ollerton Town on Saturday 19th July.

TOW LAW TOWN– have a pre-season friendly at home to Whickham on July 12th

YARM AND EAGLESCLIFFE– are away to Brandon United on Saturday 12th July in a pre-season friendly

A LOOK AT RACA’s POST COVID SEASONS

While the 24/25 season undoubtedly finished with a whimper, it gave the lasting impression of a worse season than it actually was. Albion’s final league form was-

P42 W19 D9 L14 F74 A63 PTS 66 Finishing Position 7th while the 23/24 season finished as below

P42 W19 D5 L18 F99 A68 PTS 62 Finishing Position 11th

So we gained 4 more points and finished 4 places higher than the previous season despite badly missing the goals of Aaron Costello. We also broke our record home attendance for a league game against Prudhoe on 23/08/24 when 475 spectators attended that game beating our previous high of 473 against Whickham during the Northern League Groundhop back in April 2014.

Just for info the two other post COVID seasons finished as below

2022/23 P40 W11 D8 L21 F56 A91 PTS41 Finishing Position 17th

2021/22 P40 W23 D5 L12 F87 A60 PTS74 Finishing Position 6th

Some stats that may be of interest to Albion fans from last season

Players who started more than 10 times in our 51 league and cup games– B Colquhoun 47 +1, L Calvert 42, F Lynch 40+1, J Skivington 37+5, S Oldfield 37+3, J Errington 36+1, J Ledger 31+5, M Dart 30+3, R McLeod 28+5, G Caygill 28 +4, D Burrell 26+3, J Groves-Forbes 23+10, M Hayton 21+5, C Grieveson 20+6, D Bissett 18+5, M Harrison 15+9, D Craggs 14+8, A Salim 11+12

Goalscorers in our 51 games- L Calvert 22, A Salim 11, M Dart 10, G Caygill 7, M Hayton 6, R McLeod 6, D Burrell 5, M Harrison 4, F Lynch 4, J Errington 3, M Todd 3, D Craggs 2, J Groves-Forbes 2, L Page 2, N Adotey 1, D Bissett 1, Fletcher 1, D Lawson 1, J Skivington 1

Durham Challenge Cup- Preliminary Round H Darlington Town Won 3-0, 1st Round H Horden CW Won 2-1, 2nd Round H FC Hartlepool Lost 0-2

FA Vase- 2nd Qualifying Round H Garstang Won 5-2, 1st Round H Barnoldswick Town Won 3-0, 2nd Round H West Didsbury & Chorlton Lost 0-2

League Cup- 1st Round H Kendal Town Lost 1-3

Ernest Armstrong Cup- 1st Round H Billingham Town Won 2-0 (RACA awarded game after opponents refused to finish the game following floodlight failure) 2nd Round H Billingham Synthonia Lost 1-3

Note that all 9 cup ties were drawn at home!