About Us

The original Birtley Football Club were founder members of the Northern League in 1889.

The club left the Northern League after finishing second-from-bottom of the league in its inaugural season. The club then joined the Northern Alliance, again leaving after a single season. The Hoops rejoined the alliance in 1895 and finished bottom of the league in 1897/98, before leaving again in 1900. The club returned for a third spell in the league in 1909, and were runners-up in 1913/14. After World War I, they were champions in 1923/24.

In 1926 the Northern Alliance merged into the North Eastern League, with Birtley becoming members of Division Two. They remained in the North Eastern League until transferring to the Wearside League in 1935. Following World War II the club was renamed Birtley Town, and went on to win the Wearside League in 1945/46. After finishing bottom of the league in 1951/52, the club dropped out of the league.

A new Birtley Town was established in the early 1990s and joined Division Two of the Wearside League in 1992. 1997 was the start of huge success including the club winning both the League Cup and the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup in 01/02. The following season saw the club win the Wearside League title. After finishing as runners-up in 2003/04 and 2004/05 and winning the League Cup for a third time in 2005–06, they were champions again in 2006/07, resulting in promotion to Division Two of the Northern League.

In 2015/16 the club finished second-from-bottom of the division and were relegated to the Premier Division of the Northern Alliance. At this point the club changed its Management committee. Richie Barrett, Bob Hunter and Colin Beat amongst many others became an integral part of the journey from 2015 to the club you see today. On the field, managed by Paul Beat, the team finished Northern Alliance Premier Division runners-up and League Cup winners in 2017/18, and were promoted back to Division Two of the Northern League. The club today see’s a vibrant family feel with both on field and off field ambitions. Paul Bryson and Paul Foster were appointed in 22/23 and the club was promoted to Northern League Division One for the first time in our history. Securing a play-off place in our opening season at step 5, Birtley lost 1-0 to Heaton Stannington with over 500 travelling supporters watching on. The Hoops broke their attendance record in the 24/25 season with 612 supporters attending the FA Cup fixture against Dunston. Heading into the 25/26 campaign, the side will be managed by Paul Foster.

1889-1890

The Beginning

The current team were only founded in 1993 when they joined the Wearside League however the original Birtley Football Club were actually founding members of the Northern League in 1899 and played in its inaugural season.

1894-1952

A Long & Bumpy Road

Birtley FC had many different spells in the Northern League & Northern Alliance throughout this time, some ending better than others. The team returned for their third spell in the league in 1909 an were runners up 1913-14. After World War 1, they champions from 1923-24.

In 1926 the Northern Alliance merged into the North Eastern League, with Birtley becoming members of Division Two. They remained in the North Eastern League until transferring to the Wearside League in 1935. Following World War II the club was renamed Birtley Town and went on to win the Wearside League in 1945–46. However, after finishing bottom of the league for a time, the club eventually dropped out of the league.

A street in Elizabethville, Birtley | 1916-1918

1990-2000

As You Know it

A new Birtley Town was established in the early 1990s and joined Division Two of the Wearside League in 1992. They were Division Two champions in 1994–95, earning promotion to Division One. In 1997–98 the club won the League Cup in their first major trophy victory, Defeating Annfield Plain in the League Challenge Cup Final.

In the green circle is current Manager Paul ‘Foss’ Foster when he played for Birtley in the 90’s

2001-2003

League Champions

In 2001–02 they won both The League Cup and The Monkwearmouth Charity Cup narrowly missing out on a clean sweep of the Wearside League’s three cup competitions with a loss in the Sunderland Ship Owners Cup Final to Jarrow FC. The following season saw the club win the Wearside League title.

Paper clipping: Ex-Manager Paul Bryson lifting the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup in 2002.

2003-2004

The Club Grows

In the same year they merged with Birtley St Josephs Juniors, expanding the club to include junior sides from the ages of seven to eighteen while adding girls, ladies and reserve teams. The club, led by Paul Magnay, David Stobbart and Ian Wadge were awarded the FA Charter Standard Club status in 2004.

2004-2015

More success, followed by decline.

After finishing as runners-up in 2003–04 and 2004–05 and winning The League Cup for the third time in 2005–06, the team were champions again in 2006–07, resulting in promotion to Division Two of The Northern League. The team competed in the first round of The FA Vase in 2010-11 as well as the preliminary round of The FA Cup 2012-13.

However in 2015–16 the club finished second-from-bottom of the division and were relegated to the Premier Division of the Northern Alliance.

2015-2022

Richie Barrett and club captain Jack Honour lifting the Northern Alliance League Cup in 2018.

A new beginning!

In 2016 a new management committee took over the club. Richie Barrett, Bob Hunter and Colin Beat amongst many others became an integral part of the clubs journey from 2015 to the present day. On the field, managed by Paul Beat, the team finished Northern Alliance Premier Division runners-up and League Cup winners in 2017–18, and were promoted back to Division Two of the Northern League. With new managers Paul Bryson and Paul Foster appointed in May 2022, the club looked to continue its progression. Paul Beat took up a new role as Chairman.

2022-Present

Aidan Rutledge scored 61 goals during the 22/23 season.

New Records Set!

Under the guidance of Paul Bryson and Paul Foster, The Hoops reached new levels. The club secured it’s first ever promotion to Northern league Division One with a famous play-off victory over Billingham Town. The club has now established itself a Norther League Division One club with regular attendances of 300 supporters alongside a club record 612 in an FA Cup fixture against Dunston.