Evenwood Town AFC programme notes state that the club was formed in 1890, known simply as Evenwood.

1929: The programmes notes that Evenwood won the Durham Amateur Cup.

Before the Welfare Ground was laid out, maybe in 1924, it is understood that football was played on the Gala Field which was in front of Randolph Terrace, where the Evenwood Engineering factory car park is now situated.

Below: A photo of Randolph Colliery with goal posts in the foreground, which is presumed to be the Gala Field.

The Welfare Ground: 

New recreation facilities were provided by the Durham Miners’ Association Randolph Lodge.  The members contributed a weekly levy which was deducted from their wages which paid for provision of and maintenance of the Welfare Ground.  It is located to the west of Stones End and provided a football pitch, cricket field, a centrally located timber pavilion/changing rooms, tennis courts and a bowling green.  The facility had a watering system with a brick building providing pumping facilities near the bowling green.  A retired miner was employed as groundsman.  It is believed that the Welfare Ground was laid out about 1924.  

It may have been at about this time when the TOWN was added to the name and the Welfare Ground became the football club’s home.

EVENWOOD TOWN A.F.C. joined the Northern League in 1931. 

1931-32: In their opening game, Evenwood secured a 4-1 away win over Willington with Pratt (og), Nixon 2 and Trotter scoring.  The local derby was v Cockfield and the games ended an away 3-3 draw and a 2-1 home win for Evenwood.  They finished in a respectable 9th position out of 14 teams in the league – comfortable mid-table.

1934-35: Evenwood finished bottom and had to seek re-election, which they did successfully.

1935-36: Northern League Challenge Cup winners by beating Trimdon Grange 3-2 at Kingsway, Bishop Auckland.  The scorers were George Emmerson netted a penalty, Tommy Scott and Bill Singleton. 

Below: Evenwood Town with the Northern League Challenge Cup

Below: 24 December 1938 Evenwoood v Chilton: a Call up Card sent out by the secretary George Heaviside.

Evenwood played in red & black. Chilton Colliery won the game 2-1.

1939-45: No fixtures due to the Second World War.  Following the end of the war, Evenwood Town re-joined the Northern League finishing mid table for the next 3 seasons.

1948-49: EVENWOOD TOWN WIN THE NORTHERN LEAGUE

Below: 6 November 1948:

A team photo of Evenwood Town in front of the Welfare Ground pavilion/changing rooms.

Below: 19 March 1949 Evenwood Town v Billingham Synthonia, Match Programme.

For the record, Evenwood won 2-1.

Below: Supporters including Norah Welsh, Secretary of the Supporters Club and author of the notes in the above programme. Left to right: Minnie Welsh, Norah Welsh, Mary Clark, Doris Kay, Alice Kilcran, Carnation Kilcran. Behind – Lily & Tuss Purdy. The young lad is believed to be Colin Blackett.

Below: The Evenwood Town team

“Little Evenwood Town’s great and fully justified achievement in winning their first championship was welcomed throughout the league.  After building a good lead Evenwood were expected to faulter but kept their composure under pressure.  On Saturday March 26th they were losing 0-3 to Willington with 20 minutes to go and had been outplayed when Johnny Wharton, Cliff Lancaster and Ken Humble levelled the scores.  Eddie Taylor (2) and Armstrong scored for Willington who could have had more but for a great display bt Evenwood goalkeeper George Wilson.  Evenwood hammered Penrith 6-1 in their next match through Allan Hogg (2), Lancaster (2) Jackie Kilcran and Humble, following a dour 0-0 at Heaton Stannington.  Over Easter they beat Whitby Town 4-3 on Good Friday and 1-0 in the Easter Monday return.  Humble getting the winner 10 minutes from time.  This left Evenwood needing a maximum of three points from 3 games to clinch the title but they lost 3-0 at Billingham and 4-1 at Crook.  Only a win in their last match would give them the title by one point from Bishops.  A record home crowd saw Evenwood beat Crook Town 2-0, Joe Richardson and Wilson Carr scoring.  Bishop Auckland secretary Mr. Len Wilson presented the championship trophy to Evenwood captain Stan Peacock.”

For the record:  Played 26, Won 19, Drawn 4. Lost 3, Goal for 64 Goals against 33. Points 42.

Mainstays of the championship side were George Wilson, Bobby Webb, Stan Blakeburn, Johnny Wharton, Stan Peacock (Captain), Ken Humble, Wilson Carr, Joe Carr, Allan Hogg, Cliff Lancaster, Joe Richardson, Jackie Kilcran, George Watson, Manny Cook and Bobby Hanson. George Heaviside was the secretary and J.E. Walton the trainer.

Above: Back row left to right: J. Wilson, J.E. Walton (Trainer) Cliff Lancaster, Johnny Wharton, Stan Blakeburn, George Wilson, Bobby Webb, George Watson, Bobby Hanson, Ken Humble, Graham?

Front row: Joe Richardson, E. McDonald, Joe Carr, Stan Peacock (Captain) , Allan Hogg, Jackie Kilcran, George Heaviside (Secretary)

Below: And another photo of the victorious league champions, Evenwood Town.

Below: Evenwood Town skipper, Stan Peacock, being presented with the Northern League Championship trophy at the Welfare Ground, Evenwood in front of the home supporters.

Below: The gold medal presented to R. Hanson.

1949-1950: EVENWOOD TOWN won the Auckland Hospital Bowl.

Below: 17 December 1949. An Evenwood Town team photo

Below: Call-up card for Ray Smith v Heaton Stannington who played in the Northern League from 1946/47 to, and including, the 1951/52 season. Evenwood Town then played in red & white stripes.

EVENWOOD TOWN F.C. IN THE 1950’s: SOME HIGHLIGHTS

Moving into the 1950’s, football in the North East was awash with FA Cup success with Newcastle United winning the cup in 1951, 1952 & 1955 and FA Amateur success with victories for Willington 1950, Crook Town 1954 & 1959 and Bishop Auckland 1955, 1956 & 1957. 

Evenwood Town was not without its cup glory and here below are some highlights.

1951 – 52: Evenwood reached the FA Amateur Cup 2nd Round going down 2 – 1 to Dulwich Hamlet.  A record home crowd of 2,300 saw Jackie Kilcran score the opening goal after 77 minutes but the visitors staged late drama to win the tie.

1952 – 53:  Evenwood went one round better, reaching the 3rd Round before losing 3 – 1 away to Walton & Hersham.  The cup run saw away victories against Whitby Town, 3 – 2 and Marine Crosby 2 – 1 when Evenwood enjoyed good support. 

Below:  2nd Round, FA Amateur Cup: MARINE CROSBY 1 EVENWOOD TOWN 2

24 January 1953: Players and supporters include Eric Joice, Mrs. Rowell, Hilda Coe, Les Bell, Adam Tallentire, Frankie Rowell, Alice Kilcran, Gough Watson, Bert Place, “Shaggy” Walton, Joe Birbeck, Kenny Miller, Billy Hern, Billy Bell, George Willis, Jackie Kilcran, Bobby & Mrs. Webb.

Below:  3rd Round, FA Amateur Cup: WALTON & HERSHAM 3 EVENWOOD TOWN 1

Below: 6/7 FEBRUARY 1953:  The midnight train took supporters from Evenwood station to London.  The photo shows, amongst others, Millie Purdy, Jackie Stones, Raymond Gibson, Norman Wren, “Shaggy” Walton, Tommy Slater, Tom Wharton, Geoff Walker, Arthur Cook, Russell Place, “Duck” Waller, Jack Wren, Roland Dixon, Jimmy Yole, Mr & Mrs. Hudson, Wilf Carrick, Wilf Priestley, “Kit” Kay, Tommy Robinson, Jackie Gallagher, Frankie Rowell, George Daniel, Dave Penman, Billy Bell, “Jabber” Lowson, George Linsley, Bill Hodgson, “Tosh” Adams, “Tuss” Purdy and Fred Hutchinson. 

Evenwood Town reached the final of the Northern League Challenge Cup playing Shildon.  A 3 – 3 draw at Kingsway with goals by Norman Finnegan (2) and Stan Surtees was followed by a 3 – 2 defeat, Jackie Kilcran and Billy Bell scoring for Evenwood. 

11 April 1953: Brian Clough made his debut for Billingham Synthonia at the Welfare Ground, Evenwood scoring the first goal in their 2 – 1 win.    

Below: Date unknown: Jackie Kilcran and Harry Anderson fixing a good luck charm onto the team bus.

Below:  10 SEPTEMBER 1953: EVENWOOD WELFARE GROUND, THE PAVILION FIRE

Below: 1953: EVENWOOD TOWN F.C. Dinner

Left to right: Unknown, unknown, Bobby Adamson, unknown, George Willis, Marjorie Carrick, Billy Bell, Mary Clarke, unknown.

Below: 1953-54: EVENWOOD TOWN

1954 – 55: Evenwood enjoyed another thrilling FA Amateur Cup run beating Yorkshire Amateurs 3 – 1 and Willington 2 – 1 before going down 3 – 2 to Finchley at home before a crowd of 2,128.  Jack Thompson and Cyril Gowland scored for Evenwood.

Below: 1954-55: EVENWOOD TOWN

Below:  EVENWOOD TOWN F.C. believed to be 1955 – 56

1956 – 57: Evenwood Town had their best ever FA Cup run reaching the 1st Round.  Drawn at home to Darlington, the tie was switched to Feethams, attracting a 7,557 crowd.  At half time, Evenwood held the Quakers 1 – 1 but Darlington ran out comfortable winners 7 – 2. 

Below: 12 November 1955: Kathleen Coe, aged 11, lets Evenwood skipper Cyril Gowland kiss the lucky Black Cat mascot, hoping to bring the team good luck.

Evenwood reached the final of the Northern League Challenge Cup but were beaten by Willington 3 – 0 at Kingsway. 

Below:  EVENWOOD TOWN F.C. believed to be 1956 – 57

Below: a couple of action shots, good crowds at the Welfare Ground.

Below: 1959: Two photos from Billingham Synthonia – snow clearing and an action shot.

1959-60: A trip to Walthamstow Avenue in the FA Cup

1961-62: Evenwood Town had little joy, finishing bottom of the league and second bottom, the following season, 1962-63. However, the newly formed Junior team was enjoying success (see later section).

Below:

EVENWOOD TOWN F.C.

Back Row left to right: W. BELL (Coach), K. NEESAM (Reserve), R. TOOKEY, A. MONKHOUSE, R. ROBINSON, A. WILLETTS, J. CUSHLOW, T. CARTER, R. KILCRAN (Reserve), F. PARKIN (Reserve)

Front Row: J. KILCRAN (Trainer), R. HESLINGTON, R. GIBSON, K. McGOURAN, T. KILCRAN, E. LAYTON, J. NODDINGS (Reserve)

Below: mid 1960’s team (exact date unknown).

Back Row: Jackie Kilcran (Trainer) Bob Tookey, Arthur Willets, Tony Monkhouse, K. Robinson, T. Cooney, John Noddings

Front Row: Johnny Weir, J. Bunker, K. Grant, Alan Skelton, A. Smith

Evenwood Town started to improve as their team included a number of youngsters such as Bob Tookey, John Noddings, Arthur Willetts, Johnny Weir, Dave Mathews, Johnny Hussey and Tony Monkhouse. Billy Bell was the driving force behind the rise of Evenwood Town and it benefitted from having a youth policy. The club secured mid-table respectability then pushed on with the introduction of new players.

1968-69: Evenwood Town finished 4th.

Below: the team in wintery conditions

It was strengthened with the addition of goalkeeper Phil McNulty from Wearside League club Consett and centre forward Ray Young from North Shields. Stuart Leeming joined the club.

1969-70: Evenwood Town won the Northern League, ending the season on a fine run – winning the last 10 games, winning the title 5 points clear of Whitley Bay. For the record, played 34, won 26, drawn 5, lost 3, goals for 83, goals against 34, points 57.

6 April 1970: Durham Challenge Cup. At Feethams, Darlington, Evenwood Town beat Stockton 1-0 with Ray Young scoring to win the trophy.

WHEN EVENWOOD TOWN WON THE NORTHERN LEAGUE 50 YEARS AGO By John Phelan

FIFTY years ago, in May 1970, Evenwood Town Football Club epitomised the spirit of the Northern League by winning the league title for only the second time in their history and, just for good measure, took the Durham Challenge Cup as well.

It was quite an achievement to win both trophies as they had to thwart the challenge of much bigger towns and clubs like Whitley Bay in second, Blyth Spartans in third and Spennymoor in fourth, and they won the Durham Challenge Cup by beating Stockton with a Ray Young goal.

Evenwood had done some amazing things before. In the 1929-30 season, when in the Auckland and District League, they had a great run in the Amateur Cup, beating Players Athletic 5-0 in a 1st Round replay at home, before disposing of Horsforth 3-1 at home in Round 2. It was no disgrace to go out 3-1 at top London club Ilford in Round 3.

Formed in 1890, Evenwood played in the local leagues before joining the Northern League in 1931, and they had to wait 18 years before winning the championship in the 1948-49 season, beating Bishop Auckland by one point. Star players in those days were George Wilson, Stan Blakeburn, Bobby Webb, Johnny Wharton, Stan Peacock (capt), Ken Humble, Wilson Carr, Joe Carr, Allan Hogg, Cliff Lancaster, Joe Richardson, Jackie Kilcran, George Watson, Manny Cook and Bobby Hansom.

In the 1969-70 season, Tony Monkhouse was an integral part of the Evenwood championship winning team, which had Billy Bell as manager. Tony, who started his football career with Frosterley and Wearhead, recalled: “Billy was 20 years ahead of his time and so dedicated that he got the best out of all of us. He was friendly with Don Revie, the manager at Leeds, and he often went to Leeds to watch them train. He once came to me and said ‘I want you to watch how Norman Hunter plays, and I want you to hit the opposition’s most creative midfield player.’ I said ‘What with my fists Billy?’. He said, “’No you daft bugger, with a good hard physical challenge.'”

Tony added: “One Saturday I forgot all about those instructions and Billy came storming in at half-time. ‘Monkhouse, when I give an instruction I expect it to be carried out.’ I went out in the second half and was nearly sent off for clattering into one of their players.

“Training was taken seriously. One night we were all in the top goalmouth doing sit-ups, when a plane appeared in the sky, doing all kinds of manoeuvres. Eddie Ross said to me ‘I wouldn’t like to be up there in that plane.’ I replied ‘I wouldn’t like to be up there, and not in that plane.’ We both started to laugh so Billy came over. ‘You two, are you here to train, or behave like idiots?’ We soon shut up.

“The hardest thing that I ever had to say to Billy was when I once signed amateur forms for Darlington and explained to him that I would probably miss next Saturday’s match as well as having to go to Darlington to train on a Monday and Wednesday. He wasn’t happy. ‘Monkhouse,’ he said, ‘When I first came here you were nothing more than a hilly-billy. Look at you now, and that’s what I get in return.’ He needn’t have worried – my Darlington career never got off the ground.”

Tony also recalled the legendary Harold Burgess, the Evenwood trainer.

“Billy brought Harold to the club, and he had a good reputation,” he said, “because he was supposed to be the man who once worked very hard to get Jackie Milburn fit for one of Newcastle’s FA Cup finals in the 1950s – Milburn scored very early in that game.”

To win the Northern League in 1970 Evenwood won their last ten games. They beat Tow Law 2-1 away on April 27 with goals from Tommy O’Connor and Ray Young, and then, after winning another eight games, they rounded off a great season with a 7-2 win at Penrith, with Brian Cunningham 3, Ray Young 2 (1 pen), Eddie Ross and Brian Newton their scorers. They only lost three league games all season, all to Northumberland clubs, by 4-0 at Blyth, by 2-1 at North Shields and then by 4-0 at home to Whitley Bay.

1969 – 70 EVENWOOD TOWN:  PLAYER PROFILES

TOM O’CONNOR, aged 29, centre forward.

From Low Fell, Gateshead married with 1 child.  Wages clerk.  The leading scorer last season with 36 goals.  An all-rounder, he plays cricket for Sacriston as a professional.

PHIL McNULTY, aged 25, goalkeeper.

From Annfield Plain, married with 2 children.  Joiner. Phil was with Consett last season.  6ft tall and reliable.

BOB TOOKEY, aged 27, right back.

From Cockfield, married with 1 child.  Plasterer.  Bob has been with Evenwood since he left junior football.

JOHN NODDINGS, aged 23, left back.

From Tow Law, married.  Car body repairer.  John was promoted from the Evenwood junior side to the seniors.  A great team lad.

JOHN HUSSEY, aged 23, right half.

From Witton Park, single.  Labourer.  John was a product of the successful Evenwood junior side who won the Durham Junior Cup.  John is a wonderful ball player.

COLIN HALLIMOND, aged24, centre half.

From Gurney Valley, married.  Plasterer.  Colin was given his chance this season when he was promoted from Eldra United, the Auckland District League side.  Brings back memories of Corbett Cresswell the Bishop Auckland centre half.

TONY MONKHOUSE, aged 27, left half.

From Frosterley, married with 1 child.  Quarry worker.  Tony has been with Evenwood for all his senior football.  The powerhouse player of the side.

JOHN SUDDISS, aged 25, utility player

From Consett, married.  Haulage driver.  John was given his chance last year when he joined the club from Wolsingham.  Reliable and consistent.

DEREK NEWTON, goalkeeper

From Richmond, Yorkshire, married with 3 children.  Factory worker.  Now in the veteran stage but still very agile.

JOHN WEIR, aged 25, outside right

From Tow Law, single.  Bricklayer.  John is the proud possessor of an Amateur Cup medal which he won with Crook Town.  Again a great powerhouse player who never knows to give up.

EDDIE ROSS, aged 28, inside right.

From Richmond, Yorkshire, married with 2 children.  Army clerk.  Eddie spent many years with Shildon.  A fine experienced player with the gift of passing on his experience.

RAY YOUNG, aged 18, utility player

From Wallsend.  Raymond has already proved that he is going to be an asset to the side.  He has just returned from Preston where he has been for 1½ yearsas an apprentice professional on the ground staff.

BRIAN NEWTON, aged 23, inside left.

From Willington, about to be married.  Building surveyor.  A great ball player and fine midfield player.

STUART LEEMING, aged 25, outside left.

From Denton Burn, Newcastle.  Employed by Parsons Engineering.  Stuart was very slight in stature and rather than fail to make his mark in Northern League football, he undertook a weight training programme.  This improved him enormously and we expect great things from him in the future.

BRIAN CUNNINGHAM – no profile.

1970-71:

The Northern League championship was retained. A run of 7 successive wins between 12 and 26 April proved decisive. A 5-2 victory over Willington secured the title with a 3 point cushion over Durham City.

1971-72: Evenwood Town finished mid table as Spennymoor United won the title from Blyth Spartans and these 2 clubs would dominate the Northern League for the next decade.

Below:

Bob Tookey & Johnny Hussey, England Amateur internationals. Johnny had a fear of flying.

Johnny did go to Iceland although never played. The next game was to be in France.

Johnny was selected to play but the plane landed at Glasgow Airport where Johnny left the aircraft.

1972-73: This season saw the last notable FA Amateur Cup effort, a 3-2 home win over Alvechurch of the Midland Combination before drawing at home and going down 2-0 to Highgate United.

Below: The Evenwood Towm team that faced Highgate United at home.

1973-74: This was the last season for the FA Amateur Cup. Bishop Stortford beat Ilford 4-1 at Wembley in front of 30,500 fans.

1981-82 season

Below: Back Row: D. Rutherford, P. Morris, G. Johnson, T. Monkhouse, M. Currah, A. Forster, I. Mohan

Front Row: E. Sharp, H. Murray, S. Couthard, C. Smith, P. McArdle

1982-83: The Northern League formed a Second Division.

1983-84: Having finished bottom, Evenwood Town was duly relegated to the Second Division.

2003 April: Billy Bell, the Evenwood lad who provided Evenwood Town with some of its finest moments sadly died aged 71.

2005 (29 July):

“FA Finally allow Evenwood to become Spennymoor”

This was the headline in the Northern Echo supplement Local Heroes which reported the final demise of Evenwood Town. Following weeks of speculation about the future of the club and its ties with Spennymoor United, the “official” end of Evenwood Town was announced. Seventy years of competing in the Northern League was over. Challenges at the Welfare Ground, Evenwood proved too much to overcome and Ken Houlahan (manager) transferred Evenwood Town to the Brewery Ground, Spennymoor then the name of Evenwood Town. The new club became Spennymoor Town.

Perhaps it can be argued that Evenwood Town always punched above its weight. The efforts of the likes of George Heaviside, Gordon Coe, Arthur Harrison, Dave Reynolds, Jim Coates, Dave Hanson, John Simon, Gordon Nicholson, Bobby Black, Harry Carnell and many other committee men battled against the odds to keep Northern League football alive in one of the North East’s smallest footballing outposts. And all due respect must go to the late Fred Laverick who supported Evenwood Town, home and away, through thick and thin, surely the die-hard fan who would get the “Supporter of the Century” title.

The same Local Heroes supplement reported:

“Two name changes were announced at the Frank Hudson Transport Crook and District League meeting…. Evenwood Travellers Rest are to be Evenwood Town Travellers F.C.”

And so the game of football in Evenwood continues.

Details about Saturday and Sunday League teams are posted elsewhere.