Billy Bell and Harold Heseltine were instrumental in developing a junior team at Evenwood.  They enjoyed considerable success in the early 60s.  The players named below helped Evenwood Juniors win a number of trophies:

• Ray Stelling, from Toft Hill was captain and right back
• Brian Henning, from Toft Hill was the goalkeeper
• Michael Grady from Witton Park was reserve goalkeeper
• Melvin Davidson from Wolsingham was left back
• John Noddings from Stanhope was centre back
• Glen Bainbridge from Bishop Auckland was centre back
• Neville Cummins from Toft Hill was midfield,
• Kevin Somers from Evenwood, midfield,
• Michael Gibson, Witton Park, midfield
• Johnny Hussey, Witton Park, midfield
• David Mathews, Ramshaw, centre forward
• Ray Jones from Barney, played upfront
• Alan Chapman from Toft Hill, winger
• Owen Worthington, midfield
• Kenny Morton, winger
• Michael Wilson, Evenwood
• Alec Dowson from West Auckland
• Michael Brownbridge
• David Carrick from Evenwood, forward or midfield

Below:

1961-62 EVENWOOD JUNIORS (photo courtesy of Ann Black)

One final which stands out was County Cup against Horden Juniors which, over 2 legs, Evenwood won 4 – 2.  Horden was captained by Colin Bell (1946-2021) from Heseldon.  He joined Bury then went onto great things at Manchester City (394 appearances 117 goals) and England (48 caps, 9 goals).  Great player.

Below: 1963-64 ?: Ray Stelling (captain) and the team being presented with trophies by Alan Brown, manager of Sunderland.

The photos below show 4 trophies but it is understood that the team won 5 – the Auckland District Junior Challenge Cup, Bishop Auckland Junior League Cup, Langley Park Aged Miners Cup, Ushaw Moor, Aged Miners Cup and the Bishop Auckland Lady Eden Hospital Cup.

Johnny Hussey was an influential member of the all-conquering Evenwood Town side, 1969-70-71 seasons.

Probably 1964-65:

Back Row left to right: H. Heseltine, D. Short, J. Hussey, D. Bryce, G. Beadle, M. Wilson, N. Cummins, D. Gibson, “Merry” Parkin, D. Waistell

Seated: D. Briggs, S. Alderson, R. Hodgson, K. Wayper, M. Brown, D. Walton, W. Weir, T. Bryce

Below: Evenwood Juniors with trophies

Below: Evenwood Juniors with the trophies

Below, a later team, about 1965-66 ish!

Peter Truman was an Evenwood lad, Colin Raine was from Butterknowle/Woodland area, George Roddam, Billy Dent, Neil Vickers, Alf Teesdale and Peter Vickers were from St. Helens, Peter Welsh and John Black were from West Auckland, Gordon Franklin and David Armstrong were from Etherley/Toft Hill. Neil Vickers played for West Auckland for many years. This may have been the last Evenwood Junior team before it folded.