EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE OPENING DAY FIXTURES

Sunday 31st July

DIVISION ONE 

Billingham Town v Newton Aycliffe 

Consett v Seaham Red Star 

Guisborough Town v Bishop Auckland 

North Shields v West Allotment Celtic 

Penrith v Ashington 

Redcar Athletic v Northallerton Town

Sunderland RCA v Sunderland Ryhope CW

Thornaby v Crook Town 

West Auckland Town v Newcastle Benfield 

Whitley Bay v Whickham 

In Divison One there are three new teams promoted - West Allotment Celtic travel to North Shields, Redcar Athletic open with a home game against Norhallerton Town and Crook Town, returning to Division One after relegation from 2015, travel to Thornaby. West Allotment Celtic were last in the top division in 2017 with Redcar Athletic making their debut at Step Five on the non-league ladder having been formed as Teesside Athletic in 1993. 

The Premier Division will be without Stockton Town, Hebburn Town and Shildon who have all been promoted to the play at Step Four in the Northern Premier League. 

DIVISION TWO 

Bedlington Terriers v Blyth Town 

Carlisle City v Billingham Synthonia 

Chester-le-Street v Newcastle University 

Esh Winning v Birtley Town 

Horden CW v Washington 

Jarrow v Easington Colliery 

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion v Heaton Stannington 

Sunderland West End v Brandon United 

Tow Law Town v Redcar Town 

Willington v Durham City 

THE TOWN OF REDCAR WILL HAVE TWO TEAMS IN THER NORTHERN LEAGUE THIS SEASON

Blyth Town, Redcar Town and Horden CW join Division One. Blyth Town join from the Northern Alliance Premier Division - the original Blyth Town were established as a junior club but expanded to form mens and women's teams. In 2015 the first teams broke away from the main club and were promoted to the Northern League Division Two for the 2016/17 season being renamed Blyth AFC for the 2017/18 season - they were promoted to Division One for the 2018/19 season but resigned after just four games played due to lack of support and a permanent home ground. The original Blyth Town were reformed and joined Division Two of the Northern Alliance for the 2017/18 and have moved back up the leagues since. 

Redcar Town were formed in 2014 joining the Teesside League - a previous Redcar Town played in the Wearside League from 1998 to 2003. They join from the North Riding League. 

Horden Community Welfare were formed in 2017 after the original Horden Colliery Welfare club moved 30 miles away to become the reserve side of then National League North side Darlington being renamed Darlington 1883 Reserves. The historic club originally formed in 1908 were members of The Northern League from 1975 to 2013 and 2021 see's a welcome return to the league for the coastal village of Horden and their home Welfare Park.