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Club History

The club first saw the light of day in 1975 as a humble works outfit when former Chairman, John Thompson, with some of his colleagues at HMSO on the Team Valley Trading Estate, decided to form a football team. The club joined the Newcastle City Amateur League playing at the Civil Service Sports Ground, Longbenton.

Early success inspired the club to progress and a piece of land was leased from Gateshead M.B.C. and the committee began to develop what is now the UTS Stadium.

The club were now  gaining much success in the Northern Combination and with aspirations to progress further they approached the Federation  Brewery to become the club’s main sponsor. With the Federation Brewery as their main sponsor the club joined the Wearside League in 1987 and after another period of success the club felt a need to seek new opportunities and an application was made to join the prestigious Northern League. The club had now realised one of its main ambitions and entered the National Pyramid of Non League Football. In its second season in the Northern League  the club won the Second Division and was promoted to the First Division.

Since joining the Northern League the club has won the Second Division, been First Division Champions  twice, League Cup winners on five occasions and JR Cleator Cup winners on five occasions. Included in these successes were back to back First Division title winners and League Cup winners in seasons 2003/2004 and 2004/2005.  A magnificent achievement.



Season 2007/2008 had seen the club lose the word Brewery from its name as sadly it lost the main sponsor. After a period of 18 years of continuous sponsorship the Federation Brewery was taken over by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries who continued to sponsor the club for a further two seasons and after a period of twenty years the club had lost its main sponsor and had no association with a brewery. In our hour of need two new companies became involved with the club to partially compensate for the loss of our main sponsor.  

Dunston Van and Truck Centre became our home shirt sponsor and Astley Signs became our away shirt sponsor. Both companies are still with us at the present time. Season 2008/2009 a company, UTS Engineering (Utility Technology Services), became involved by sponsoring the player’s travel and training kit and during the close season of 2009/2010 they kindly agreed to become the club’s principal sponsor.

The club name was changed from Dunston Federation F.C. to Dunston UTS F.C, the name of the ground was changed to the UTS Stadium and company owner, Mr. Shaun Sadler became Club President.

The Club enjoyed a momentous season in 2011-2012 when finishing third in the Northern League and earning a visit to Wembley Stadium. The journey began at home in Round 2 when we faced unknown Blackwell Miners Welfare from the East Midlands Counties League. The Derbyshire side didn’t know what hit them as Dunston won 12-1 to record their biggest ever win in the FA Vase. 

Next up was Parkgate from Rotherham in Round 3 and another home draw and another fine win by 3-1. Round 4 brought a tough match against Wisbech Town away. The match ended in a 2-2 draw after extra-time. The replay saw the Eastern Counties League side score first but Dunston battled back and won 3-1 in the end.

Round 5 and another home draw against Essex Senior League Bethnal Green United and they were sent back to London on the end of a 3-0 defeat. 

Round 6 saw us away at Peterborough Northern Star of the United Counties Premier League and it was a great game for any supporters of non-league football as it swung one way then the other but in the end it was Dunston who won through by 4-3 after extra-time. 

Now only 2 matches away from Wembley and a first-leg Semi-Final tie at home to Staveley Miners Welfare who we had defeated in the 98/99 season. The first-leg on a rock hard pitch at home did not suit either side, but it was Dunston who scored the vital goal through a great shot from the edge of the area by Andy Bulford. The second-leg was a nail biting occasion with Staveley twice taking the lead but twice Dunston fought back to draw 2-2 and it was next stop Wembley Stadium. On a warm sunny day Dunston UTS played West Auckland Town and won 2-0 which really flattered West Auckland to take the F.A. Vase back to Gateshead for the first time.

On the 2nd April 2016 Dunston UTS celebrated their 1000th Northern League game. Prior to kick off on behalf of  the club Malcolm James received an engraved plate from Northern League President George Courtney.


Building on the new-found momentum, Dunston continued in the same vein in the following season with a great run in the FA Cup, going out in the final Qualifying Round to National League neighbours Gateshead in front of a record crowd of 2,525 at the UTS Stadium.

The Club finished the 2018/2019 season as convincing Champions of the Northern League First Division, seventeen points ahead of their nearest rivals.

Promotion ensued to the BetVictor Northern Premier N/West Division but FA Regulations dictated that the Club Playing Name must not include any reference to a sponsor so the “UTS” was reluctantly dropped from the Club title before the new season.



Over the years the club has always recognised that success on the field must be coupled with success and hard work off the field and the efforts of the people behind the scenes at the UTS Stadium has ensured that the stadium is a credit to the club. Many of the committee of the club have been involved since it was founded in 1975, some as former players and some as management on the playing side.

It is a tribute to their commitment and hard work that the club has become one of the most successful in the North East.


(Pictures by Ken Fitzpatrick)



1975-76
Formed, played in the Northern Amateur League as Whickham Sports FC, team manager founder John Thompson.


 1978-79
League Champions, Won Northern Amateur League Cup, Gateshead Charity Cup Winners.


1979-80 League Position 2nd, League Cup runners up, runners up in the Durham Minor Cup, League Shield Winners,
                         
1980-81League Shield Winners, Heddon Holmes Cup Winners.
                         
1981-82Joined Northern Combination League, League position 6th, League Cup runners up, Durham County Cup Winners.
                         
1982-83Changed name to Dunston Mechanics FC, league position 3rd, new team manager Tom Cooney.
                         
1983-84League position 2nd, League Cup Winners.
                         
1984-85League position 2nd, League Cup Runners Up, new team manager Peter Quigley.
                         
 1985-86League position 2nd, League Cup Runners Up, played this season at Marley Hill.
                         
1986-87Changed name to Dunston Federation Brewery FC, moved to new ground Federation Park, League position 1st,  New team manager Alan Stott.
                         
1987-88Moved up into the Wearside League, League position 9th, Sunderland Shipowners Cup Winners Highest attendance 1550.
                         
1988-89League position 1st, first entry in the FA Vase. Aug 15 v NUFC for official opening of Federation Park, opened by Newcastle manager Iam McFaul
                         
1989-90
League position 1st, team manager Peter Quigley returns, Monkwearmouth Cup runners up.
                         
1990-91League position 2nd, League Cup winners. August 27th Paul Gascoigne "Gazza" Opens new stand which is named after him.
                         

1991-92

Now in Northern League Division 2, League position 5th, first FA Cup entry v Guisborough won 1-0. January 6th, official opening of the new floodlights. 
                         
1992-93
League Division 2 Champions, reached round 6 of FA Vase. April 10th ground hopper game v Evenwood at The Fed we won 3-0.


1993-94League position 11th, Division One enter FA Trophy instead of  the FA Vase.
                         
1995-96League position 6th, League Cup runners up.
                         
1996-97
League position 12th. In our FA Cup tie against Hebburn on the 30.08.96 Fed won 5-0 Gary McDonald scored all 5.
                        
1997-98
New team manager Bobby Scaife. League position 4th, League Cup Winners, Charity Shield runners up. Entry back  into FA Vase.
                         
1998-99League position 4th, League Cup Winners, Charity Shield runners up.
                         
1999-00League position 3rd, League Cup Winners, Charity Shield Winners.
                         
2000-01League position 2nd, Charity Shield Winners.
                         
 2001-02Dunston join the internet age website launched. League position 3rd.
                         
2002-03League position 8th.
                         

2003-04



April 20th 2004 Dunston played their 500th League game v Billingham Town (A). 13th December 2003 R. Pitt scores Dunston's 1000th League goal at Bedlington Terriers. League position 1st, League Cup Winners:- game won by golden goal scorer David Southern on 105th minute. 2-1. Charity Shield Winners.
                         

2004-05

League position 1st, League Cup Winners, Durham Challenge Cup runners up. Dunston played 40 League games and only lost one game all season, the very last one away at Bedlington. Charity Shield Winners. 
                         

 2005-06


Fed obtain new shirt sponsors for both home and away strips. Home strip is Dunston Van & Truck Centre, away strip is Astley Signs, 13th September Dunston won their 500th Northern League game at home against Brandon Utd. Dunston finish 3rd in the League and became Northern League Cup runners up. Charity Shield Winners.

                         

2006-07

Manager Bobby Scaife steps down Assistant Manager Perry Briggs takes over. League position 7th. Club change name from Dunston Federation Brewery FC to Dunston Federation F.C.
                         

2007-08

Dunston finish 6th in the League, apply for the UniBond, in hope for a sponsor and need to finish 6th to join. The Fed withdrew their intentions for the UniBond for the lack of a main sponsorship.

                         
2008-09Perry Briggs stands down as team manager Billy Irwin takes over, Dunston finish 6th again in the league.
                        June, the club obtain new main sponsor, UTS Engineers Ltd are the new sponsors and the club is renamed Dunston UTS Football Club, ground name changed to UTS Stadium.
                         
2009-10Dunston UTS finish the Northern League in 4th position under Billy Irwin's first season as club manager.
                         
2010-11


Dunston UTS finish the Northern League in 7th place, Dunston reach the final of the Durham Challenge Cup beaten by Gateshead Reserves, Dunston also reached the last eight of the FA Vase. With a hectic season Dunston played 26 games within nine weeks towards the end of the season winning 14 and drawn 6. Matty Annan sports therapist sadly died.  Awards.. Player of the season & goal of the season at Penrith away Lee McAndrew, top goal scorer & Players player Andrew Bulford.  Matty Annan memorial trophy Ben Cattanach. Admission charges £4.50

                         

 2011-12

Dunston UTS FC are the 2012 FA Vase Winners after beaten West Auckland 2-0 at  Wembley on the 13th May, Andrew Bulford scored both goals he was also award man of the match, Andrew also became all time top league scorer for Dunston after ending the season on 89 goals beaten previous leader Andrew Fletchers record of 86 goals Andrew Bulford scored his 87th goal on the 31st January 2012 against Marske United. Andrew also became Dunston's all time top scorer with 134 goals in all competitions passing Andrew Fletchers record of 119. In the League Dunston UTS come 3rd seven points behind the champions.

                         

2012-13


In the league Dunston UTS finished 5th, Dunston also won the Northern League Division One Fair Play and Good Conduct awards, at the clubs annual  presentation night Michael Robson, Kane Young and Steven Pickering were awarded for their long service after calling it a day, Andrew Bulford top goal  scorer, Michael Dixon was voted player of the season and committee player of the season with Dale Burrell voted players player of the season.

                        
                         
2013-14Dunston UTS finished 7th in the League. Reached round 6 of the FA Vase. At the clubs presentation night, club captain Ben Cattanach was voted the Player of the year and the Committee's player of the year. Lee McAndrew was voted Players Player of the year and Andrew Bulford clubs top goal scorer. Admission   £5:00.
                         

2014-15


New Club house built and opened by Gateshead FC manager Gary Mills on the 21st July. Dunston UTS finished 6th in the League, Reached Round 5 of the FA Vase, Lee McAndrew re-joins. Steve Wraith  joins club as Commercial Manager, Pavel Srnicek became club’s first honorary vice-president. Player awards :- Player of the Season Luke Gilhespy, Players Player Dale Burrell, Committees Player Luke Gilhespy, Top Goal scorer Andrew Bulford, Admission prices are £6:00

                         
 2015-16League position 11th, reached Round 5 of the FA Vase, Players Awards, Player of the Season Michael Pearson, Players Player, Dan Smith, top goals scorer and new club record Malcolm Morien with 37 goals, 1000th league game versus Marske Utd April 5th 2016.
                         
2016-17Manager Billy Irwin steps down in October and Chris Swailes named as new manager 26th October. Dunston UTS finished 15th in the league, top goal scorer Scott Heslop. Player of the season Dale Burrell.
                         
 2017-18Dunston UTS reach final of Durham Challenge Cup but are beaten 4-2 by Consett AFC, 
                        Our 300th home league win was 24th March 2018 beaten Newton Aycliffe 2-1.
                        Dunston UTS  win the Northern League Cup for the 6th time beaten Bishop Auckland 1-0 at Consett AFC.
                        Finish 10th in the league. Reached Round 2 of the FA Vase.
                         
2018-19Northern League Division One Champions, Promoted to the Northern Premier League N/West, Reached Round 4 of the FA Cup.
                       Reached Round 2 of the FA Vase, Ground attendance record broken 2,250 attended FA Cup R4 game.
                         

                

Founded 1975


Previous names..

Whickham Sports 1975-82, Dunston Mechanics 1982-87, Dunston Federation Brewery FC 1987-2007, Dunston Federation FC 2007-2009, Dunston UTS 2009-


Previous Leagues..

1975-1979 Northern Amateur. 

1979-1987 Northern Combination.

1987-1991 Wearside League. 

1991-1993 Northern League Division Two.

1993-2019 Northern League Division One.


Highest Northern League Win..

Home, 13-0 versus Crook Town, 13th January 2000. Away, 11-0 versus  Willington, 11th September 1992.


Biggest Northern League Defeat..

Home, 6-0 versus Seaham Red Star, 11th October 2016, Away, 6-1 versus Billingham Synthonia, 2nd October 1993.


FA Cup..

4th QR, versus Gateshead FC, home, 24th October 2018, 4th QR, versus  Lancaster City home 2003


FA Vase.. Winners 2012


Highest Attendance.. 2,520 versus Gateshead FC, FA Cup 4QR, 24th October 2018


       



1987-90


1990-191


1994-91996


1996-1999


1999-2001


2001-2002


To view all our past programme covers to the present date please click HERE



Published Thursday 17th October 2019 (last updated Sunday 3rd July 2022)