Ashington feature in special new BBC documentary
NPL East Division side Ashington have been the subject of a special BBC documentary.
'Ashington AFC: Saving Our Club' has been released as part of the BBC's 'Our Lives' series - celebrating life in the UK in all its diversity, as seen through the eyes of remarkable people doing extraordinary things.
The documentary was first broadcast last month on BBC One and is now available to watch on-demand on the BBC iPlayer.
'Ashington AFC: Saving Our Club' is centered around a tight-knit group of volunteers fighting to keep the club alive, amidst the threat of relegation and looming financial pressures.
The club was founded in 1883 in Ashington, a place that once became known as the largest coal mining village in the world, which inspired the club's nickname, the Colliers.
Ashington’s history also became intertwined with the beautiful game, producing World Cup-winning brothers Jack and Bobby Charlton, among a number of other famous players.
Relying solely on volunteers to keep operating, including those at the very top, the documentary takes a look behind the curtain at the footballing lives of the club's first female chair, Nicola Sanders-Cooper, plus director Brian Shotton and board member Drew Tinsley.
All three are united in their love of the town and their understanding of the vital role the football club plays in keeping Ashington’s community spirit alive.
The half-hour documentary provides a fascinating insight into how community clubs at NPL level operate, and the real challenges faced on a day-to-day basis.