Albion drawn away to Whitley Bay in FA Vase

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion have been drawn away to First Division Whitley Bay in the Second Round Qualifying of the 2022-23 Isuzu FA Vase.

The draws for the early qualifying rounds were released by the Football Association today and Albion are set to travel to Hillheads on Saturday 24th September after receiving a ‘bye’ from the First Round Qualifying stage.

RACA will be aiming to reach the First Round Proper for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign against the record 4-time winners.

The full draw is available on the FA website here.

Albion held at Alnwick in pre-season opener

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion were held to a 1-1 draw by Alnwick Town at St. James’s Park on Saturday in their opening pre-season friendly.

Striker Damien Stevens – making his debut – put Albion in front midway through the first half from the penalty spot after Oliver Symons was fouled in the box. But an unmarked Simon Farrier headed in the equaliser for Alnwick 14 minutes later.

The hosts missed the chance to go ahead early in the second half with a penalty of their own, but their No.9 blazed the effort well over the bar.

Goals from the match will be available to watch on RACA TV on YouTube in the coming days with match photos available on the official RACA Facebook page.

Daniel Iredale’s side travel next to Edinburgh United next Saturday as preparations continue for the new Ebac Northern League Division 2 season, which is set to kick off on July 30th at Easington Colliery.

GOALS | Alnwick Town 1-1 RACA – Pre Season 2022-23 (02-07-2022)

100 Club: July 2022 Winners

The draw for July’s RACA 100 Club was held on Saturday.

The winners are:

  • 🥇 No.15 M Hands £100
  • 🥈 No.70 spare £75
  • 🥉 No.39 P Moore £25

Congratulations to the lucky winners! The next draw is scheduled for August 6, 2022.

To join the RACA 100 Club or for more details, please contact Mr Paul Le-Patourel on 07720413390.

Scott Bamborough announced as Captain

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion Manager Daniel Iredale has announced Scott Bamborough will be the Club’s new Captain ahead of the 2022-23 season.

The 29-year-old midfielder assumes the role following the departure of Callum Turnbull during the close-season.

Bamborough, who joined Albion from Killingworth last summer, played 44 times last term, scoring 3 goals and assisting 14 times.

Iredale also confirmed Peter Ravenhill will serve as vice-captain. The 28-year-old forward signed from Newcastle Benfield last month.

RACA begin preparations for the new campaign with their first pre-season friendly at Alnwick town on Saturday. The new Ebac Northern Football League Division 2 season is set to get under way on July 30 with a visit to Easington Colliery on the opening day.

Albion bring in defensive reinforcements

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion have completed the double swoop of defenders Graham Williams and Rhys Groves.

Williams signs from West Allotment Celtic, where he was pivotal to their mid-table finish in their first season in the Northern League’s top flight.

The vastly experienced 31-year old, who has played in the Southern League at Step 4, also played an important role for the Army First Team.

Groves, 23, has signed from Heaton Stannington. The left-footed centre half played his part in Heaton’s promotion to the First Division last term and adds even more quality and competition to the squad ahead of the 2022-23 season.

The double swoop means Albion’s summer signings has reached five following the earlier captures of Jack Cooper, Peter Ravenhill and Damien Stevens. [First Team Squad]

Daniel Iredale’s side, who have been training in preparation for the new season, begin their pre-season friendly schedule at Alnwick Town on Saturday.

The new Ebac Northern League Division 2 campaign kicks off on July 30 with Albion visiting Easington Colliery on the opening day.

2022/23 Northern League fixtures released

The fixtures have been released for the new season and Ryton & Crawcrook Albion will begin the 2022-23 Ebac Northern Football League Division 2 campaign with a trip to Easington Colliery on Saturday 30 July.

It’ll be back-to-back away matches to start off the new season for Daniel Iredale’s side, who will be visiting newly-promoted Chester-le-Street United at The Riverside three days after Easington.

Albion then welcome Billingham Synthonia to Kingsley Park in their first home game on Saturday 6 August.

The regular season is scheduled to conclude on Saturday 22 April 2023 with Jarrow visiting Crawcrook.

There are ten matches provisionally scheduled for the first five weeks of the season and ten consecutive midweek rounds in a packed opening two months.

The Division 2 champions will again be promoted automatically to the Northern League’s top tier this season whilst a four-team play-off will be used to decide the other team to go up, and the bottom three sides in the 21-team division will be liable to relegation.

Ryton & Crawcrook will host neighbours Prudhoe YC Seniors – promoted from the Northern Alliance Premier Division – in a first ever Northern League “Tyne Valley” derby on August 20, with the return at Kimberley Park scheduled for February 18.

Durham-based Boro Rangers – promoted from the North Riding Football League – visit NE40 on September 17 with the reverse fixture scheduled at New Ferens Park on March 18. Chester-le-Street United, who were promoted from the Wearside League, visit RACA HQ on October 19.

Albion travel to rivals Newcastle University – again based in Prudhoe – on September 10, with the Uni making the short trip over on March 11.

Billingham Town – who were the only team to be relegated from the first division last term – host RACA on Teesside on September 13 while the return fixture will be on December 17 – the last match of the year. And, after a three-week winter break, Albion travel to Chester-le-Street Town on January 7 in the first match of 2023.

There are currently three RACA matches planned to take place during this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar which runs from November 21 to December 18.

There will be a couple of different ‘away’ venues to visit this season on top of the new clubs. Billingham Synthonia will be playing at Stokesley Sports Club and Washington are due to be at The Northern Area Playing Fields.

Meanwhile, there are a number of “free” Saturdays to allow for any postponed fixtures to be rescheduled and for FA club competitions. The FA Vase First and Second Qualifying Rounds are scheduled for 27 August and 24 September respectively with the draw expected to be released on 8 July.

Details of the Northern League’s cup competitions will follow in due course. RACA are holders of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup.

The end-of-season Division 2 promotion play-offs are pencilled in for the week commencing 24 April.

The full fixture list is available on the season fixture graphic below.

You can sync RACA’s 2022-23 fixtures to your calendar via Apple, Google or Outlook.

All fixtures are subject to change. Please check the website Matches page and follow our social media channels (@RACAFC1970) for updates.

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion FC 2022-23 Season Fixtures. (Click on graphic to enlarge.)

Albion add more attacking firepower

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion have completed the signing of Peter Ravenhill from Newcastle Benfield.

The 28-year old forward has captained Whitley Bay and has bags of quality and experience in Northern League 1.

Ravenhill becomes Albion’s third signing of the summer ahead of the 2022-23 season following the capture of Jack Cooper and Damien Stevens earlier this month.

Season tickets for 2022-23 launched

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion FC are delighted to announce the launch and pricing details of Season Tickets for the 2022-23 campaign.

Season Tickets are available to purchase for only £75.00 for adults and £30.00 for concessions (under 16’s, students, 65 and over).

You can order now by contacting Mr John Thompson on 07805098265, or get in touch with us via email ([email protected]) or through our social media channels (@racafc1970). You can also purchase the Season Ticket from the Albion Clubhouse at Kingsley Park.

The 2022-23 Season Ticket includes admission to all 20 of RACA’s home league games at Kingsley Park in the Ebac Northern Football League Division Two.

The new season is set to kick off on July 30th 2022.

We look forward to your support!

Albion return to training

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion’s first-team squad have returned to training as they begin their preparations for the upcoming Ebac Northern Football League season.

With the 2022-23 league season set to start at the end of July, Manager Daniel Iredale and his coaches put the squad through their paces for the first time on Saturday since their Ernest Armstrong Cup-winning campaign came to a close just 36 days ago.

Along with regular training sessions, Albion’s pre-season includes friendlies at Alnwick Town (2nd July), Edinburgh United (9th July), Sunderland RCA (12th July) and Burradon & New Fordley (16th July) before they host neighbours Winlaton Community in the final test at Kingsley Park on 22nd July.

The new Division 2 season is scheduled to kick off on 30th July with fixtures set to be released at 9am on 24th June.

Fixtures set to be released on Friday

The fixtures for the 2022-23 Ebac Northern Football League will be released at 9am on Friday 24th June, the league announced at its annual general meeting on Saturday.

The Northern League’s two divisions are scheduled to begin on Saturday 30th July and conclude on Saturday 22nd April 2023, with the Division Two play-offs pencilled in for the week commencing 24th April 2023.

At the end of last season, Carlisle City, Heaton Stannington and Tow Law Town were all promoted to Division 1, while Durham City were relegated down to Step 7.

They were replaced in Division 2 by Billingham Town (relegated from Division 1), Prudhoe YC Seniors (promoted from the Northern Football Alliance), Chester-le-Street United (Wearside Football League) and Boro Rangers (North Riding Football League).

Meanwhile in Division 1, Pickering Town were the other newcomer with North Shields and Consett both promoted to Step 4, and Ryhope resigning.

We’ll have all the details of the new season fixtures from 9am on Friday on our website (www.RACAFC1970.co.uk) and across all our social media channels (@RACAFC1970).


The full Ebac Northern Football League 2022-23 line-up…

Ebac Northern League Division One (Step 5): Ashington, Bishop Auckland, Carlisle City, Crook Town, Guisborough Town, Heaton Stannington, Newcastle Benfield, Newton Aycliffe, Northallerton Town, Penrith, Pickering Town, Redcar Athletic, Seaham Red Star, Sunderland RCA, Thornaby, Tow Law Town, West Allotment Celtic, West Auckland Town, Whickham, Whitley Bay.

Ebac Northern League Division Two (Step 6): Bedlington Terriers, Billingham Synthonia, Billingham Town, Birtley Town, Blyth Town, Boldon CA, Boro Rangers, Brandon United, Chester-le-Street Town, Chester-le-Street United, Easington Colliery, Esh Winning, Horden CW, Jarrow, Newcastle University, Prudhoe YC Seniors, Redcar Town, Ryton & Crawcrook Albion, Sunderland West End, Washington, Willington.