ABOUT US |
Founded in 1986 after a meeting between Tommy Kelly and George Nicholson in St. Marys Catholic Church, Bishop Auckland, a junior football team was formed to play on Sundays after church. The organisation has grown year on year to where it is today with over 350 players aged 5 to 18 years old and a dedicated volunteer support team of over 70 volunteers including officials, managers, coaches and secretaries.
Fred Anderson was Club Secretary of St. Marys Juniors F.C. for over 10 years and was instrumental, along with original Chairman George Nicholson, in guiding them from 1 to 16 teams. In doing so, Fred developed a huge reputation within grassroots football and in the town itself which will last for many more years to come. The Club Committee was restructured in 2006 meaning the appointment of current Club Chairman Tony Davis. Since this time, the club has developed to an unrecognisable state and is now unquestionably one of the county’s premier football clubs for children and young people catering for all ages and genders. In 2006 after much hard work from Tony and Fred, the club achieved the FA Community Club Status, the pinnacle of the club development pathway. All FA Community Clubs are required to meet FA criteria, ensuring they provide opportunities for players irrespective of age, gender, religion, and ability.
Fred sadly passed away in October 2007, leaving behind a legacy that will last for years to come. In the aftermath, Rob Bowron was appointed as Fred’s successor as Club Secretary, despite his young age of only 20.
In 2008, the club was delighted to be awarded Wear Valley Junior Sports Club of the Year as well as Regional and County FA Community Club of the Year Awards all in the same season. These accolades showed the size of the club, and the vast community that it serves. A temporary club house was also erected establishing an identity for those associated with the club. In 2009, the club was awarded Wear Valley Junior Sports Club of the Year, beating competition from many clubs of all sporting themes.
We now support 19 teams ranging from Under 6 to Under 18, have recently developed three girls teams to ensure all children of Bishop Auckland are catered for. We enjoy a successful and growing partnership with Bishop Auckland FC, ensuring we can provide a possible exit route from junior football into the senior game. The club is ambitious and are keen to continually progress the club further, with football coaching always at the heart of everything that is done. The club enjoys an excellent reputation for the delivery of quality football coaching and can boast what surely must be one of the largest grassroots football workforces in the county.
We play most of our home games next to Bishop Auckland College on Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland. The postcode is DL14 6JT. Parking should be in the College car park and not on the main road. Our pitches are located only a short walk after turning left from the main car park. We have a club house and changing/toilet facilties, serving hot and cold refreshments all day on a Sunday. We welcome all to visit. |
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