Dunston UTS

Founded: 1975 (As Whickham Sports)
Home Ground: UTS Stadium, Wellington Rd, Dunston, Gateshead NE11 9JL
Nickname:The Fed
The 2011/12 FA Vase winners are a side we last faced in a league game 2019, before their promotion to the Northern Premier League.
Originally founded as a works football team, the club have undergone a series of name changes in their history. Starting out as Whickham Sports until 1982 when they changed name to Dunston Mechanics, then after the league and cup double in 1986-87 season the club renamed to Dunston Federation Brewery as they began a 20 year association with the brewery. In 2007, as the brewery withdrew their support, Dunston changed their name again to simply Dunston Fed. The Clubs current name was introduced when they entered into a sponsorship agreement with local firm, and Hebburn Town media sponsor, UTS Engineering.

Shildon AFC

Founded: 1890(As Shildon Town)
Home Ground: Dean St, Shildon DL4 1EZ
Nickname:The Railwaymen
A previous club of Hebburn's Dan Groves, Shildon have have had their fair share of success throughout their history, with 9 League Cups, 7 Northern League (Div 1 & 2) titles and 3 Durham Challenge Cups to their name. Shildon have also enjoyed relative success in the FA Cup, making the first round on multiple occasions and getting as far as round 2 in 1936/37 ( the competition was eventually won by Sunderland AFC). The Club play at the 2000 capacity Dean Street Stadium in the centre of Shildon, where the turnstile block and distinctive main stand which houses the dressing rooms, a social club and the club offices, date back to 1923.

Stockton Town

Founded: 1979 (As Hartburn Juniors)
Home Ground: Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD
Nickname:The Anchors
Stockton Town are a relatively new team, only beginning to play under the Stockton name name less than 2 decades ago in 2003. The 2017/18 FA Vase finalists achieved that feat in only their second season playing Northern League football. The Club was originally established as a junior 5-a-side team to give local children the chance to play in organised football games. The 2019/20 season saw Stockton 13 points clear at the top of the Northern Football League First Division, but promotion was denied as the season was curtailed due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Just like ourselves, when the results of 19/20 and 20/21 were combined Stockton Town were offered the chance to apply for promotion and were ultimately successful in their bid.

That's the first 3 teams covered, in the next article we'll head further South into North Yorkshire where we'll take a look at Pickering Town, Marske United and Tadcaster Albion.