Bishop Auckland Football Club

Squad 2011/12

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		Colin Myers - Manager Won the Northern League Championship with Durham City and the Second Division title with Brandon United as a player; also won the Durham Challenge Cup and picked up a Northern League Cup finalist medal before retiring as a player in 2001. Immediately joined the management team at Brandon United as Assistant Manager, going on to win both the Northern League Championship and Second Division title, as well as appearing in two consecutive finals of the Durham Challenge Cup. Joined Jarrow Roofing in 2004 as Joint Manager and helped guide them to the semi-final of the FA Vase in 2005, losing to eventual winners Didcot Town. Returned to Brandon United as Manager in 2006 and guided them to eventual safety in the Second Division with no resources before rejoining Jarrow Roofing at the start of 2007, again as Joint Manager. Became first team coach of Shildon in January 2008, which coincided with a 16 game unbeated run and an appearance in the League Cup. Appointed as Manager of Bishop Auckland FC in February 2009 and steered the Club away from bottom position to an unlikely 18th place finish at seasons end when relegation had looked a certainty. He has since established the club with two mid-table finishes and is looking to push on this season.

		Steven West - Assistant Manager "Westy" has had numerous spells at the Club the last of which was in 2005/06 before re-joining midway through the 2008/09 season. Along with Stephen Salvin is one of only two players to have played 'home' games for the Bishops at Kingsway, Dean Street, Brewery Field, Darlington Road and Heritage Park. Amassed over 250 appearances and scored around twenty goals before joining the management team a couple of seasons ago when appointed Assistant Manager by Colin Myers but has still been known to 'don' the boots when necessary.

		Garreth Wilkinson - Physio
		John Bottensein - GoalKeeping Coach Won promotion from the Second Division and the following season the Northern League Championship with Durham City in 1994, he later went on to Seaham Red Star where a series of excellent performances led to him signing for Bristol Rovers in the Football League. Now a qualified FA Coach, he works with the goalkeepers in the club as well as Bishop Auckland St Mary‘s.
		Michael Walker - Kit Man "The Woodhouse Warrior" is an essential part of the backroom team. Michael has been kit man for the past eight seasons and is the unsung hero of the backroom team as he ensures that the players have everything they need and more. Made a couple of Northern Premier League substitute appearances in 2005/06 and memorably scored his only goal for the Two Blues in a friendly three seasons ago at Willington. He is particularly noted for an overhead kick which shaved the crossbar in a recent friendly.

		Darren Atkinson- Defender "Nobby" is a highly experienced player who is equally comfortable on the left or the right. Spent ten seasons at Horden Colliery Welfare winning a Durham Challenge Cup medal and the Second Division trophy. Made his debut in an FA Cup tie against Whitley Bay and scored his first goal against Bedlington Terriers the following month. Made 39 appearances last season, including one as a substitute, and scored five goals.

		Chris Bell - Midfielder Experienced right-sided player originally signed last season from Shildon. Was previously at Seaham Red Star and has Northern Premier League experience with Blyth Spartans. Scored Bishops goal against Middlesbrough in the Commemorative Match at the opening of Heritage Park. Made 39 appearances last term, scoring three goals. Signed for Whitley Bay at the start of this season, but returned before the end of August 2011.

		Lewis Brown - Defender A product of the New College Durham Football Academy, he represented Durham County at Under-18's level and had trials with a number of professional clubs including Middlesbrough FC and more recently, Motherwell. Signed from Esh Winning in September 2010, making his debut against Billingham Synthonia a month later. His only goal for the club, a superb shot into the top corner, came against South Shields. Made 18 appearances last season.

		Phil Brumwell - Defender Former professional who made a total of 203 Football League appearances at Sunderland FC, Darlington FC and Hull City FC. More recently played for Blyth Spartans, Whitby Town, Shildon and Tow Law Town. His wealth of experience proved invaluable to all the younger players in the squad last season. Can play at full back, sweeper, or in midfield. Previously had a run out for the Two Blues whilst on loan from Whitby Town, and signed in January 2011 from Shildon. Made 17 appearances last season.

		Wayne Clarke - Defender Former professional with Darlington before spending three seasons with Shildon from where he was signed first on loan in October 2009 and then permanently in December. Ever present during the second half of the 2009/10 season which earned him the Young Player of the Year Award. Can play in a number of defensive positions. Made 43 appearances last season, including one as a substitute. Contracted player.

		Karl Everitt - Midfielder Has Northern Premier League experience with Worksop Town but suffered a bad knee injury a couple of seasons ago whilst playing for Shildon. Signed in December 2010, he made his debut against Norton & Stockton Ancients in the new year. Made 18 appearances last season, including three as a substitute. Now fully recovered, we hope to see the best of Karl this season after a number of impressive appearances at the end of last season.

		Daniel Hawkins - Striker Formerly with Middlesbrough FC, he signed from Shildon in October 2010 making an instant impact scoring on his debut at Newcastle Benfield and scoring Bishops' first competitive goals at Heritage Park against league leaders Consett in early November. Scored eight goals in 23 appearances last season, including four as a substitute. Scored Bishops' first hat-trick at Heritage Park against Penrith in November 2011. He has formed a fantastic partnership with new signing Andy Johnson. Contracted player.

		Peter Jeffries - Goalkeeper Now in his fourth season with the club, having joined from Wearside League's Hartlepool Town in 2008, he was made first choice keeper with the arrival of Colin Myers, who immediately recognised Peter's ability. He has since gone on to produce a series of match winning displays picking up numerous Man of the Match Awards. His superb form in 2009/10 meant he deservedly swept the board at the end of season presentation evening picking up Supporters', Players', Management Team and Website player of the year. Ever present and dependable last year, making 53 appearances, it was no surprise when he once again collected all four end of season Player of the Year Awards. Contracted player.

		Chris Lawson - Midfielder Now in his third season having signed from local football in August 2009. Immediately forced his way into the first team with a number of impressive displays, his first goal was a last minute winner against Esh Winning in December 2009. Settled into the right-back role, but he can also play at centre half and has even been known to occupy some other positions when required. Made 39 appearances last season, including one as a substitute, scoring four goals.

		Darren Richardson - Midfielder Previously at Bishop Auckland St. Mary's and local football, now in his fifth season at the Club. Named Young Player of the Year in his first season, 2007/08. Scored nine goals in fifty appearances spread over the next two injury hit seasons before scoring 12 goals in 42 appearances, including nine as substitute, in 2010/11. Contracted player.

		Stephen Salvin - Midfielder First played for the Bishops in 2001/02, he played a significant part in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 Northern Premier League campaigns, winning all four end of season Players Awards in the latter. Left in the Autumn of 2005 to join Newcastle Blue Star winning the Northern League and Cup double before moving to Gateshead. Then followed a return to Newcastle Blue Star before a move back to Bishops. One of only two players to have played 'home' games for the Bishops at Kingsway, Dean Street, Brewery Field, Darlington Road and Heritage Park. Won the BAFC Website Player of the Year Award for season 2008/09. Made 38 appearances last season, including one as substitute, scoring five goals. "Salla" is the current club captain.

		Adam Strong - Midfielder A product of the highly successful New College Durham Football Academy, he represented Durham County at Under-18's level and is now in his fourth season at the club. Scored his first goal in a 3-1 win against Billingham Town. A pacey right winger who is still learning the game but has bags of potential. Made 21 appearances last season, including thirteen from the bench, scoring three goals.

		Steven Turnbull - Midfielder Signed in January picking up a series of appearances both in the centre of midfield and at right back. 18 appearances in the season, with four goals including two last minute point winning penalties on consecutive Saturdays against Norton & Stockton and Dunston UTS.

		Arran Wearmouth - Forward An exciting young striker who came to the club following spells at Middlesbrough FC, where he was a trainee scoring over 30 goals in his first season. Big, strong, and very quick attacking player with a very good eye for goal. Played for Lumley Under-18‘s where he won a Durham County Cup winners medal, scoring a hat-trick helping them to victory. Scored his first goal for Bishops against Stokesley in the League Cup. Made 32 appearances last season, including nine as substitute, scoring six goals before a shoulder injury prematurely ended his season.
		Andrew Johnson - Striker New signing, who was a major target for the club over the summer and we are delighted to have secured his signature. Has Conference North experience with Blyth Spartans and has been a regular goal scorer for a number of seasons. Played under Colin Myers at Brandon United and Jarrow Roofing. Has also played for Tow Law Town and Shildon, where he scored 15 goals last season. Contracted player.
		Adam McLane - Defender New signing. A tall, no nonsense, old fashioned, all action centre half who takes no prisoners and has a fantastic will to win, he has been brought in to add some much needed determination to our back-line. Spent all his previous career with Whickham FC, where he won a Durham Challenge Cup winners medal in 2006.
		Dion Raitt - Defender A highly experienced midfield player who was a former professional with Peterborough United FC. Played for Bishops in the Northern Premier League before joining West Auckland Town. Signed from Newton Aycliffe near the end of last season, he immediately added a bit of 'steel' to the centre of the pitch. Made ten appearances to go with the 18 he made in the first spell for the club. Still searching for his first goal in Auckland colours.
		Steven Walklate - Defender New signing. Former professional with Darlington FC, winning a Durham Challenge Cup winners medal in 1999. A highly experienced player who has played for a number of top clubs in the Northern League including Durham City, Bedlington Terriers, Sunderland Nissan, and Shildon - where he played the last couple of seasons.