Heaton Stannington eye history in FA Cup tie against Trafford

Heaton Stannington stand on the brink of history once again – but that is no new experience for Dean Nicholson, Andy McBride and a squad that have reached new highs with regularity in recent seasons.

After guiding the Stan to historic promotions into the Northern League’s top tier and Northern Premier League East Division, Nicholson also led the club to their first ever Northumberland Senior Cup final win when they edged out Morpeth Town at Newcastle United’s St James Park in May last year.

That came just weeks after the Stan had racked up their highest ever league finish securing 13th place in the NPL East.

Although that was surpassed last season when they ended their second season in Step 4 sitting just three places adrift of the play-off spots.

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Uncharted territory

Now, it is history in the FA Cup that is on the agenda for The Willow Park club as they prepare to host North West Counties League side Trafford in a second qualifying round tie on Saturday afternoon.

Win and a place in Monday’s third qualifying round draw would take Heaton Stannington into uncharted territory.

Nicholson has insisted his players are only too aware of what that would mean for the club they have served so well in recent seasons.

He told The NLP: “We know what’s at stake here, we’ve never done this before and the lads realise what they could achieve for the club and for themselves.

“They know what it means to the club and to themselves.”

Close-knit group

He added: “I think it caught them by surprise when it got mentioned to them that they could create history.

“They’re such a close-knit group and because they know what is at stake, it has to really, they know what it means and it means something to them.

“This club has done a lot of good things over the last 100 years, never mind the last five or six, and this is a chance to do something big on Saturday.”

Nicholson has completed the loan signing of South Shields youngster Dan Savage to his squad ahead of the game and the versatile forward will be available to make his debut in Saturday’s tie.

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