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Latest news

Morpeth swoop for Sean Reid
Morpeth Town Morpeth swoop for Sean Reid By James Gordon

Newly promoted Morpeth Town have signed midfielder Sean Reid from Blyth Spartans.

Carson leaves Morpeth for Inverness CT
Morpeth Town Carson leaves Morpeth for Inverness CT By James Gordon

EVO-STIK League East Division Player of the Year David Carson has signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a two-year deal.

Morpeth set club record crowd
Morpeth Town Morpeth set club record crowd By James Gordon

Morpeth Town set a new club record attendance in midweek as they welcomed Newcastle United Under 23s for a county cup clash.

Morpeth make Potter deal permanent
Morpeth Town Morpeth make Potter deal permanent By James Gordon

Morpeth Town have confirmed Tom Potter’s season-long loan deal from Whitley Bay has been turned into a permanent signing.

McDonald returns to Morpeth
Morpeth Town McDonald returns to Morpeth By James Gordon

EVO-STIK League East Division leaders Morpeth Town have confirmed the return of Jon McDonald as assistant manager.

Morpeth receive club of the month award
Morpeth Town Morpeth receive club of the month award By James Gordon

EVO-STIK League East Division leaders Morpeth Town were presented with their Club of the Month award at the weekend.

Pair bolster Morpeth Town squad
Morpeth Town Pair bolster Morpeth Town squad By James Gordon

Morpeth Town have signed Jack Foalle and Dominic Moan.

Address

Address:
Craik Park Morpeth Common Morpeth Northumberland NE61 2YX
Directions:
Seated:
Standing:
Telephone:
07932 580810
Website:

Contacts

Chairman :
Ken Beattie
Secretary:
Lee Crossley 07932 580810 lee.crossleymtfc@yahoo.com
Match secretary:
Shaun Johnson 07775 954237
Progamme editor:
Ross Jackson 07500 694590 rossjackson121@hotmail.com
Managers:
Nick Gray

Kit

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History

Morpeth Town Football Club was established in 1894 and through more than a century of football have continued the tradition of carrying Amber and Black as their team colours.

The club was formed after an amalgamation between Morpeth United and Morpeth FC, playing at Stobhill Cricket Field. In 1954 the club moved to Storey Park, and in the 1980’s enjoyed a successful time in the Northern Alliance, winning the title and finishing runners-up on two other occasions, as well as lifting both the Challenge Cup and Benevolent Bowl in 1986.

The club spent half a century in the Northern Football Alliance before stepping up to the Northern League on their one hundredth anniversary, winning the Division Two title in their first season and finishing sixth in Division One and Northumberland Senior Cup runners-up in their second. In 1998-99 they made it to the final qualifying round of the FA Cup, losing 1-0 at home to Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion.

The club moved to a purpose-built stadium in 1994, which coincided with a League and Cup double, and with it, promotion to the Northern League. Craik Park was named after the father and son W and R Craik who had served as secretary between 1920 and 1985. Current president Ken Beattie was the man behind the stadium and since 1992 he has revived the club’s fortunes.

Membership of the Northern League followed in 1994-95 and the following year saw the Second Division Championship being presented to Morpeth. The club finished sixth in the First Division at the first time of asking, as well as reaching the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup. After sitting comfortably mid-table between seasons 1996-97 and 1999-2000, Morpeth narrowly avoided relegation on goal difference in the 2000-01 season, and once again finished one spot above the relegation zone in 2001-02.

The next few years saw Morpeth Town move back into the middle of the table before a sixth place finish in 2005-06, Morpeth’s equal top performance in the Northern League. In 2006-07 Morpeth won the Northumberland Senior Cup for the first time since 1886 (as Morpeth Harriers) with a 3-2 victory over Blyth Spartans.

Disaster struck in 2009-10 though as Morpeth Town were relegated to the Second Division and things got even worse a season later as Morpeth Town finished bottom of the Northern League’s second tier. The club was in dire straits with president Ken Beattie and chairman Jim Smith trying their best to keep the club running by bringing the ground up to Northern League standards whilst being forced to ground share with local rivals Bedlington Terriers. In fact, the club was within weeks of folding at one point.

The Highwaymen began their revival in 2011-12 under the stewardship of Nick Gray who moved to the club from Seaton Delaval and brought a number of players with him. In his first season, Morpeth narrowly avoided promotion back to the top tier, finishing fourth and at one point won 14 consecutive home games. Season 2012-13 saw the side improve once more, finishing one place higher in third position, beating Jarrow Roofing on goal difference to earn promotion.

After going up Morpeth Town managed to avoid the drop quite comfortably in 2013-14, finishing in 17th place. During the season, they also went on a then historic FA Vase run to the quarter-finals. 2014-15 saw further improvement, with the Highwaymen finishing eighth in the table and reaching the Northumberland Senior Cup Final. The club was now beginning to attract high-caliber players to the area, with the likes of Keith Graydon and Ben Sayer signing from higher level football.

The 2015-16 season brought Nick Gray his first trophy for the club, and what a win it was, beating heavily favored Hereford FC 4-1 in the FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium. Despite going a goal down in the first two minutes, the Highwaymen battled back, 45-year old Chris Swailes netting to equalise before half-time. The second half brought an onslaught from Morpeth, Luke Carr scoring after just a minute before Sean Taylor and Shaun Bell netted on a famous day for the Northumberland club.

In addition to the Vase, Town finished fourth in the Northern League. The following season, 2016-17, the club narrowly missed out on winning their inaugural Northern League title, finishing in second place behind South Shields while winning the Cleator Cup. After finishing as runners-up again in 2017–18, they were promoted to the Northern Premier League's EVO-STIK League East Division for season 2018-19.

Latest Results

a
Sat 27 Apr
0 – 1 W
h
Mon 22 Apr
3 – 1 W
a
Sat 20 Apr
2 – 1 L

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