Ian Skinner to step down as Ashington manager

The decision comes due to personal circumstances that make managing the side increasingly difficult.

Skinner’s association with the club dates back to 2006, when he initially served as joint-manager before returning as assistant in 2015.

He would go on assume the role of manager in January 2019 and enjoyed a successful five years with his hometown club, guiding his side to Northern League Cup and Cleator Cup success and securing promotion back to Step 4 in 2022/23, ending a five-decade absence from the Northern Premier League.

Reflecting on his time at the Colliers, Skinner said: “It has been my privilege to manage my hometown club over the past five years and to witness the progress we have made both on and off the field.

“When I first returned to the club it was a period of struggle, but with hard work we built a team that would go on to challenge for silverware and achieve promotion.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped me as part of that journey.”

Ashington’s chairman Brian Shotton expressed his gratitude towards Skinner, saying: “I cannot speak highly of Ian’s commitment to this club.

“Together we drafted a vision for the next few years, and despite the challenges presented by Covid, we went on to achieve them all.”

Whilst Skinner’s successful tenure as manager is coming to an end, he will continue to serve the club as a director after the season’s end.

With the club’s status in the Pitching In NPL East Division confirmed for next season, their main focus will now be on their Northumberland Senior Cup semi-final tie against Newcastle United U21s on Tuesday 9 April.

Before that though, they travel to Carlton Town this coming Saturday in the league.

Photo credit: Gateshead