The dream has already come true for North Shields after they lifted The FA Vase, through an extra-time winner no less, at Wembley last year – and manager Graham Fenton admits the challenge this season is doubly difficult.
The Robins could not have downed Glossop North End in more dramatic fashion in May as goal-machine Gareth Bainbridge scored a late leveller before substitute Adam Forster popped up in extra time.
The benefits of that run are helping to lay down foundations at a club that went through financial hardship little more than 20 years ago, with an expansion of facilities well under way.
North Shields v Ashington
The FA Vase
Second Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 21 November 2015
Daren Persson Stadium, North Shields
All Vase Fixtures
It is still a long road back to Wembley. but their second round opponents are familiar foes – fellow Northern Football League Division One outfit Ashington.
There is just 18 miles between the two clubs, a number of players have played for both sides and this Saturday’s tie marks the first of three meetings in ten days.
But with former Ashington forward Bainbridge on North Shields’ side – he reached 100 goals for the club in his first 88 games in April – Fenton has every reason to hope lightning strikes twice.
Watch how North Shields won The Vase last year
“It’s a strange one – you’re trying to say to the lads that you had one of the best weekends of your life at Wembley and now let’s replicate it,” said Fenton.
“But now we’re the team everyone wants to beat so it becomes even harder. I’m sure with the experience the lads have we are capable of going on another good run.
“Financially last year was good for us and the club has been slowly building up over the last 20 or 25 years.
“The new clubhouse will be finished in January and we haven’t had one since the club originally folded, it’s just been a fenced-off field. And as a consequence of the cup run we can look at improving the ground too.
“We’ve got a couple of former Ashington lads play for us and Gareth Bainbridge is one of them. He has been fantastic in the last two-and-a-bit seasons, the number of goals he has scored is phenomenal.
Gareth Bainbridge and Adam Forster with The Vase
“We had a chat back in February offering him a new contract, so that was before Wembley – we’ve got him for this season at least so anyone who wants him has got to put their hands into their pockets!”
There is just as much reason to keep an eye on Ashington’s progress after former Ashes cricketer Steve Harmison took over as manager back in February.
Harmison has strong connections with his hometown club; his dad Jimmy formerly managed the Colliers and his younger brothers James and Ben – who is on the books at Kent CCC – play for them.
The 37-year-old has done a solid job so far, with Ashington currently stationed tenth in the league, and Harmison believes this weekend’s test can be a barometer of where his side’s evolution is.
Steve Harmison, Ashes winner, now Ashington manager
“We wanted a home tie against a side from a different league and I reckon the Robins will be as disappointed as we are,” said Harmison.
“However, it will be a good game to watch in front of a massive crowd and fantastic atmosphere and my squad should be looking forward to playing the reigning holders.
“It will be good to see where we are when it comes to playing in the competition and it will be invaluable that in my squad I have lads who have either played in the Final or have a winners’ medal.
“This will be North Shields’ first game defending the trophy and the pressure will be on them – and if we have any aspirations of winning The Vase outright, it looks as if we are going to have to play the best teams and win it the hard way.”
