At the Northern League AGM last night the new league structure for the Northern League was decided upon. Durham will play in the First Division with nine other teams including Darlington who were relegated from the Northern Combination League. Sunderland Reserves will leave the Northern League to join a National Reserve League. The other reserve teams will be combined into a Northern League Reserve League. Penrith sadly leave the Northern League to play in the North West League. Six new teams join and enter at the Second Division level.

DURHAM'S PRE SEASON

Sun 17th June - 7aside tournament, University of Durham
Sat 7th, Sun 7th July - 7aside tournament, Cheshire
Sun 12th August - Friendly, Penrith (A)
(other dates to be confirmed)

NORTHERN WOMEN'S REGIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2001/2002

First Division
1. Boldon, 2. Billingham, 3. Carlisle, 4. Darlington, 5. Durham, 6. Horden, 7. Killingworth, 8. Newton Aycliffe, 9. Saltburn, 10. Winscale

Second Division
1. Blyth Town, 2. East Durham, 3. Forest Hall, 4. Kader, 5. Marten, 6. Newcastle Development

Reserve League
1. Chester le Street, 2. Darlington, 3. Middlesbrough, 4. Newcastle, 5. To be announced

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A great season for Durham City Ladies was topped off with striker Helen Richardson winning both individual awards from the league. With 41 goals, Helen was League Top Goalscorer. With 5 Woman Of The Match awards, Helen also won the League's Player of the Season award.

City Manager Stephen Hamil was full of praise for the striker, "Helen has been superb all season and I have never seen anyone with a goalscoring record like hers at any level of football. We were a little worried that we were going to lose her next season to an American College Team but it would appear that she has decided to delay her trip for a year."

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A good time was had by all at the presentation night on Saturday 26th May. Again the club would like to express its gratitude to the Sportsman Arms in Belmont for its hospitality over the season.

The special awards for the players were as follows:

	Top Goalscorer: Helen Richardson, an incredible 41 goals in League and Cup competitions.
	Young Player of the Season: Gemma Charlton, 6 goals from midfield and 3 player of the match awards.
	Sports Person of the Season: Claire Turner, 2 goals from defence and 3 player of the match awards. A special award as decided by the management.
	Player of the Season: Helen Richardson, the most player of the match awards with 5.
	Players' Player of the Season: Julie Campbell, 6 goals from midfield and 1 player of the match award. A tremendous first season playing 11aside football. Recieved over three quarters of the votes from the rest of the girls. (2nd place was Claire Turner and 3rd place was Magda Carr).

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A second half solo goal from Julie Campbell was the goal which won the cup for Durham - for the match report please click here.

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Durham City Ladies will play Newton Aycliffe in the final of the Northern League Second Division Cup. Durham beat Penrith 6-3 over two legs, Newton Aycliffe beat Saltburn 9-6.

The match will take place under floodlights at Crook Town's ground at 7:30pm on Wednesday 2nd May. Both team's will hopefully bring along a number of supporters and there should be a great atmosphere.

The two teams have met each other a number of times this season and judging by the past results this game could go either way...

06/08/2000 - Newton A 1 - Durham C 0 (Friendly)
24/09/2000 - Newton A 4 - Durham C 2 (League)
12/11/2000 - Durham C 3 - Newton A 1 (League)
03/12/2000 - Durham C 6 - Newton A 2 (Cup)
25/02/2001 - Newton A 3 - Durham C 3 (Cup)

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Penrith 2 - Durham Ladies 3

Saltburn 4 - Newton Aycliffe 5

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The 2nd Division of the Women's Northern League will be decided on Sunday 25th March. Newton Aycliffe are at home to Horden whilst Durham entertain Penrith.

Due to Durham's superior goal difference, it would appear that they only require a draw to be league champions in their first year. Newton Aycliffe must beat Horden and hope that Penrith can do them a favour by taking all three points from Durham.

All teams have still got the Cup to look forward to. Durham are playing Penrith over two legs in the semi finals. Horden, Saltburn and Newton Aycliffe must battle it out in the other half of the draw.

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Fourteen girls aged thirteen to fifteen from Kings Meadow School, Gateshead, were invited to train with Durham City Ladies.

Durham Captain, Dionne Martens, was very impressed with the girls, "We are always on the look out for good players and it was great to see so many young talented girls at the training session. We are going to do a couple more sessions on Saturday mornings and then hopefully draft 3 or 4 of them into the full team".

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Durham City played out a friendly game against Northumbria University. Playing on a beautiful pitch in perfect weather, Durham won 7-1. Durham goal scorers were Maxine Bell (2), Sharon Brady (2), Gemma Charlton, Beth Simpson and an own goal.

Durham are hoping that niggling injuries to Helen Richardson, Korraine Boughen and Linda Machell will all clear in time for the Penrith fixture next Sunday.

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The Durham City - Penrith Fixture was called off for the fourth time today due to snow.

Durham hope to arrange a friendly for next Sunday. They will play Penrith away the following Sunday in the first of four meetings between the two clubs. The games will decide the semi final of the Cup and will also decide who wins the league.

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The Newton Aycliffe game was called off. Unfortunately for Durham, this means they haven't played a competitive game for ten weeks.

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Durham meet Newton Aycliffe for the fifth time this season on Sunday. With the honours even from previous encounters (Newton Aycliffe with a pre-season and league win and Durham with a league and cup victory) there is everything to play for.

This game is the second leg of a cup tie which will decide who plays Penrith in the Semi Final of the Second Division Cup. City carry a four goal advantage into the game after beating Aycliffe 6-2 in the first leg. All is not lost for the losers of the tie, however, as they will go into the other half of the draw as 'best placed losers'.

Unfortunately Durham look to be without Claire Turner and Linda Matchell in defence. There is, however, competition throughout the other positions with Beth Simpson hoping for a start up front, Assistant Captain Sharon Brady back in contention in midfield and new signing from Billingham, Jo Hunter, applying a little pressure on Korraine Boughen for the goalkeeper's shirt.

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A meeting of the Northern League took place last night (5th Feb 01). The following points effect Durham:

The Knock Out Cup has been cancelled. This is the cup that Durham had progressed to the quarter finals of after beating First Division opponents Middlesbrough Reserves. Unfortunately due to the fixture back log it was decided that it was not possible for the Competition to be completed.

South Tyneside have definitely left the league. This story was reported on this site on the 4th Feb - this was confirmed last night. The Second Division Cup Schedule has been changed slightly to accommodate this.

Some Fixtures have been re-scheduled. Please see the fixture list for further details.

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Sadly, South Tyneside decided to drop out of the league this week. South Tyneside had been struggling to field a team over the past few months.

As a result of this, all matches involving South Tyneside have now been nullified. This means that Newton Aycliffe now go top of the league due to Durham having three points taken away from when they beat South Tyneside 6-0 previously this season. To view the revised league table please click here.

On a different note, Durham again did not get to play Penrith with the wet weather claiming yet another fixture.

It would appear that there will be an exciting finish to the league. Three teams, Newton Aycliffe, Durham and Penrith can all still be champions:

Newton Aycliffe?
Providing Newton Aycliffe can beat Horden in their final game, they must await the results of the Durham-Penrith games. If both teams take victories off each other then Newton Aycliffe will be champions

Durham?
Durham should have a strong enough goal difference to ensure that at least a win and a draw against Penrith would make them champions.

Penrith?
Penrith must win their remaining four games to be champions (Saltburn, Horden and Durham twice).

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After the longer than expected winter break Durham City Ladies got back to action with friendly matches against local university teams. On Sunday 21st January Durham City beat their neighbours Durham University 3-0. 16 year old Beth Simpson scored a hat-trick for City. The following Sunday Durham entertained Newcastle University. The final score was 1-1 with Julie Campbell getting Durham's goal.

Durham are currently top of the Northern League Second Division. Their next game is against Penrith at Laurel Avenue Primary School, Sherburn Road, Sunday 4th February.

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Durham have arranged three friendlies over the next four weeks against University Teams from the North East. Durham University are the visitors to Laurel Avenue on the 21st January whereas Newcastle University are entertained the following week. Durham travel to the University of Northumbria on the 11th February. The full fixture list may be viewed here.

Today's game against Penrith was cancelled due to a frozen pitch. The scheduled game  for the 21st January against South Tyneside has been postponed until a future date.

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Four key Durham players are doubtful for Sunday's crucial game away to Penrith. Sharon Brady may still be unavailable after being out for a month with her back, Captain Dionne Martens and Linda Machell are both struggling with injury and top goal scorer, Helen Richardson, has got flu.

On the positive side, Durham should be raring to go after not having a game for four weeks. Durham also hope to complete the signing of keeper Jo Hunter from Billingham. Manager Stephen Hamil was quick to praise current 'keeper Korraine Boughen, "Korraine has been tremendous for us so far this season having let in only 13 in 10 competitive games. If it wasn't for some of the saves she made against Middlesbrough we would not be in the Quarter Finals of the Cup. However, I have always said that we need cover for every position on the pitch so the signing of Jo Hunter can only benefit the club".

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The first game of 2001 saw Newton Aycliffe record an impressive 3-1 victory away to fellow title contenders Penrith. This moved Newton Aycliffe to within one point of Durham at the top of the table.

Durham have three games to play and need six points out of the nine available to be assured of the title. They must play Penrith home and away and South Tyneside away. To view the latest league table please click here.

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The second leg of the Division 2 Cup to be played away against Newton Aycliffe has been cancelled due to the pitch being unplayable. This means that Durham City now breaks up for Christmas and will face South Tyneside away in the league as one of the first games in the new year.

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Unfortunately for Durham, Assistant Captain, Sharon Brady is unavailable and it looks like she will be out with a back injury for at least another month. Defender Claire Robson is also unavailable for the next two weeks.

On the positive side Linda Machell, signed this week from Billingham, should make her debut. Striker Beth Simpson returns and is also available for selection.

It is the second time this season that Durham face opposition from the First Division. Previously Durham went down 2-1 away to Killingworth.

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Durham hope to tie up the signing of Linda Machell from Northern League First Division Side Billingham Ladies in the next few days. If the move goes ahead as expected then Linda should be available for selection for the Middlesbrough Reserves game on Sunday 10th December.

Linda can play in defence or midfield and is a proven First Division player with plenty of experience. Billingham Manager Alan Dodds commented, "Linda is a cracking player and leaves with our best wishes". 

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Durham will only be missing midfielder Julie Campbell who is on holiday for tomorrow's game against Newton Aycliffe. The match will hopefully go ahead providing the weather remains fine. Magda Carr and Helen Richardson should both start up front for City and will be looking to continue their fine scoring form - between them they have scored 30 goals in just 5 games.

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The draws for all of the Northern League knockout cup competitions were made by the committee. Durham face a tough first round game in all three competitions. They play high flying Killingworth from the First Division away in the League Cup, Middlesbrough Reserves from the First Division at home in the Knock Out Cup and Newton Aycliffe over two legs in the Second Division Cup.

Manager, Stephen Hamil, is looking forward to meeting the First Division teams, "The Killingworth and Middlesbrough games will be an excellent test for our girls. We want to be up there in the First Division next season and these games will be a good indication of our progress so far. We will see how far we are away from being competitive at that standard of football. We were beaten comfortably by Boldon pre-season who are in the First Division, however, I think we have improved since then".

The full cup draws are as follows...

League Cup - Round 1 (26th Nov 2000)
1. Newcastle Res - Chester-le-Street Res
2. Horden - Darlington Res
3. Penrith - Sunderland Res
4. Saltburn - Boldon
5. Winscale - Middlescrough Res
6. South Tyneside - Billingham
7. Newton Aycliffe - Carlisle
8. Killingworth - Durham City

2nd Division Cup - Over two legs (3rd and 17th Dec 2000)
1. Durham City - Newton Aycliffe
2. Penrith - Horden
3. South Tyneside - Saltburn
(losing team with best goal difference progresses to next round(?))

Knock Out Cup - Round 1 (10th Dec 2000)
1. Carlisle - Chester-le-Street Res
2. South Tyneside - Boldon
3. Durham City - Middlescrough Res
4. Saltburn - Sunderland Res
5. Penrith - Billingham
6. Horden - Darlington Res
7. Killingworth - Newcastle Res
8. Newton Aycliffe - Winscale

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Magda Carr scored a first half hat-trick in Durham City's friendly against Durham University. Magda, who is studying for a PhD at the University, then went to play for the University in the second half and scored two goals for them. Durham City won comfortably 5-2 with other goals coming from Amanda Smith and Helen Richardson.

Next Sunday it is first versus second in the Northern League Second Division when Durham entertain Newton Aycliffe. The match is 2pm kick off at Laurel Avenue Primary School, Sherburn Road.

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The first ever Durham City v Durham University match will be played tomorrow. Durham City have almost a full squad to choose from and tomorrows game should see all of the players get a good run out. Durham City do have a lot of players with close links to the University. Sharon Brady, Alima Laguda and Magda Carr are all still students at the University and club captain Dionne Martens used to work there.

Captain, Dionne Martens, commented, "It is good to keep close links with the University as they have supplied us with some of our best players. Hopefully over the next few years they will continue to supply us with a number of quality players".

Tomorrow sees South Tyneside travelling to Newton Aycliffe. If Newton Aycliffe take all three points then they will go top of the league. Penrith will also be hoping to make ground on Durham when entertain Horden.

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The Penrith game was cancelled due to a water logged pitch.

Elsewhere, Newton Aycliffe beat Horden 4-1 to move within one point of Durham at the top of the League.

Durham do not have a league match next week - a friendly against the University of Durham has been organised instead. This will be followed by a special training session around the pubs of Durham City on the Sunday afternoon.

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Weather permitting, Durham are hoping to bring new signings Katie Blades and Tanya 'Scooby' into the squad for tomorrow's game against Penrith. Both girls have experience playing in the Northern League First Division.

It is also believed that defender Alison Stimpson may be leaving Durham to sign for rivals Saltburn. If Stimpson decides to leave then she will go with Club's best wishes.

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With Newton Aycliffe not playing Durham Ladies took full advantage and went top of the Northern League Second Division.

Penrith remain unbeaten and move to within 2 points of the top after a 5-0 victory against Saltburn. 

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After postponing their previous two games, South Tyneside are ready to play Durham tomorrow at Sherburn Road. Durham will have as close to a full strength side to pick from as they have had all season. Captain Dionne Martens, Claire Robson, Julie Campbell and Beth Simpson are all expected to return to the squad. However, as Martens explains she is concerned that she may not be put straight back into the team, 

"Our manager explained at the start of the season that if you missed a game and the girl who played in your position did well then she would keep her place. I am expecting no special treatment just because I am the Captain and by all accounts the whole team played very well against Saltburn last Sunday".

Manager, Stephen Hamil, believes that Saltburn could surprise some teams this season. He explained,

"Although we did beat Saltburn 10-0 last Sunday, they had notably improved since the last time we played them. It was only 4-0 with 30 minutes left and the 10-0 scoreline doesn't really do their performance justice. In Jane Tremere (signed from Durham) they have a 1st Division Player playing in the 2nd Division. In addition, they now have a coach who really knows his stuff in Rob Spink who has his UEFA B coaching badge. I expect that by Christmas they will have turned a few heads with a shock result or two".

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The match between the University of Northumbria and Durham Ladies will go ahead as planned. Although the University have pulled out of the league, it was decided to play them in a friendly anyway after Horden could not play a rearranged fixture at such notice.

Durham are carrying a few injuries. Notably, Julie Campbell who dislocated her shoulder during a 'man of the match' performance against Newton Aycliffe. Captain Dionne Martens will also be rested after badly bruising her foot in the same game.

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It is currently understood that The University of Northumbria are to quit the league. This has not yet been confirmed by League Officials.  

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It looks likely that midfielder Jane Tremere will leave the club. With Jane now living near Whitby it is believed that the one hour trip through to Durham is a bit too much. If Jane leaves, she goes with the clubs best wishes. 

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Durham will test the strength of their squad with three midfielders, Sharon Brady, Leanne Gressman and Donna Priestley, being unavailable for selection.

On the plus side, goal scorer Beth Simpson will return to the squad. It is hoped that she will play some part in the game after missing all of pre-season.

Durham were beaten 1-0 by Newton Aycliffe in a pre-season friendly, in what was a competitive game. Durham will be hoping to try and turn that score line around tomorrow.  

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It has been decided by the Northern League that the season will start on the 17th September. Durham will play Saltburn at home. For further fixture information please click here.

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Due to uncertainties regarding the structure of the league the start of the season has been delayed. It is currently understood that the season will start on Sunday 17th September.

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Durham City Ladies kick off there first ever season in the Northern League on Sunday against Saltburn Ladies.

Durham currently have a large squad of around 25 girls. A number of these have experience playing either in the Northern League First or Second Division.

Manager Stephen Hamil is confident that the team will give a good account of themselves over the coming weeks:

"I think we have a very strong squad and it will be very difficult to have to choose only 11 players for the first game. It is a nice problem to have as it will hopefully push the girls to play as well as possible knowing that there are others breathing down their neck for a first team place."

Durham are hoping to be pushing for promotion to the Northern League First Division this season. Hopefully they will also surprise one or two teams in the cup competition also.

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Sun 16 July 2pm - Training (Gilesgate)

Sun 23 July 2pm - Training (Gilesgate)

Sat 29 July 10am - Training (Gilesgate)

Thur 3 Aug 6.30pm - Training (Gilesgate)

Sun 6 Aug 2pm - Friendly (Newton Aycliffe)

Thur 10 Aug 6.30pm - Training (Gilesgate)

Sun 13 Aug 2pm - Friendly (Sherburn)

Thur 17 Aug 6.30pm - Training (Gilesgate)

Sun 20 Aug 2pm - Friendly (Sherburn)

Thur 24 Aug 6.30pm - Training (Gilesgate)

Sun 27 Aug 2pm - SALTBURN (H) (Sherburn)

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