Birtley Town FC First Team Squad

GOALKEEPERS

Alfie Gordon

GK

Alfie Gordon

Alfie has returned after a season at Heaton Stannington and Bishop Auckland. He previously spent two seasons as our number one between 2023 and 2025. Before that Alfie had spent time between the sticks at Newcastle Benfield. 

We are delighted to have Alfie back permanently for the 2026/27 season after he returned for the last four games of the previous campaign.

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GK

Ryan Hammer

Ryan joined us in 25/26 after Max Campbell suffered a wrist injury. Recommended by former manager Paul Bryson, Ryan comes from I2I Football Academy and  started his Hoops career with 5 clean sheets in  7 games. He went on to make 12 appearances in 25/26 with many fine saves particularly in 1-on-1 situations. 

DEFENDERS

Dale Burrell

DEF

Dale Burrell

Dale joined the club after spending the 24/25 season at RACA. Dale spent an impressive six years at Whickham before moving to RACA. in that time, he worked closely with Assistant Manager Robin Falcus. A no-nonsense defender who will bring experience and leadership to the side, we are delighted to have Dale on board after trying to sign him previously. He made 28 appearances in the 25/26 season while adding four goals including two in our historic run to the semi finals of the Brooks Mileson League Cup.

Lewis Exley

DEF

Lewis Exley

Ex joined the club midway through our promotion season and played a key part in the play-offs, starting in both the semi-final and final. Ex made the move to Crook Town early in the 23/34 campaign as he looked for a regular starting place. Lewis is now back at Birtley as we look to push on for another play-off position. He made 32 appearances last season while also getting on the scoresheet in the 4-4 thriller at Shildon. He also was one of four players to cross 100 appearances for the Hoops last season.

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DEF

Sam Dinsley

Dinsa is back at The Arrowmark having been captain of Bedlington Terriers for the previous two seasons. Dinsa will now offer a range of options across defence and midfield. Another local lad, Sam is a versatile player who is comfortable in possession too and made nine appearances last season.

Sam Hedley

DEF

Sam Hedley

Heds is a managers dream, honest, reliable and a solid performer. He’s got better more or less every game he’s played for the club and is now one of two Vice Captains. An accomplished defender with a fantastic left foot, he gives us great balance and can play either left back or in central defence. Always a threat at set-pieces, Heds added five goals during his 28 appearances last term and wore the Captains armband for large parts of the season.

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DEF

Harry Gettins

Harry joined the club towards the end of last season having started the season with Bishop Auckland on a dual registration with Gateshead U19s. Previous to joining Gateshead he was at Carlisle United and has represented Malta

Owen Lancaster

DEF

Owen Lancaster

Lancs made his Birtley debut against Jarrow Roofing in 2013. He returned to the Hoops in 2019 following spells at Chester-le-Street Town & Whickham and has made over 200 appearances since. Owen is comfortable anywhere across the back four and played a key role in our successful 2022/23 promotion campaign. He became only the second player to cross 200 appearances for the Hoops in October and went on to make 28 appearances last season.

MIDFIELDERS

Liam Wotherspoon was awarded Man of the Match selected by our sponsors Vera's.

MID

Liam Wotherspoon

After two seasons away representing Blyth Town, Newcastle Blue Star and Ashington, Spoony is back home at the Arrowmark. He made over 100 appearances during his time at Blyth Town and we are delighted to have him back for the 26/27 season. 

Kaleb Young

MID

Kaleb Young

Kaleb rejoined the club in the 24/25 season from Consett AFC. Birtley fans are familiar with Kaleb as he played for The Hoops before joining Whickham AFC in 19/20 season. Kaleb then moved to step 4 Consett but was always a regular down at The Arrowmark. He made 31 appearances in the 25/26 campaign while adding five goals. 

Joe Hailes

MID

Joe Hailes

Joe joined us from Seaham Red Star ahead of the 25/26 campaign. A versatile player Joe can play in a range of positions including midfield, wing back and the number 10 position.  Local lad Joe has brought energy and trickery to Fos’ side. He was incredibly reliable last season making 44 appearances and added six goals including 4 penalties. He was awarded the manager’s player of the year at the end of the 25/26 season for a brilliant campaign.

Reece Harrison

MID

Reece Harrison

Reece joined the club during the 24/25 season and impressed in a number of appearances including a MOTM performance at Crook Town. Reece can play left-back or left-wing and had an impressive 25/26 season. He made 33 appearances adding five goals. 

Reece Havelock-Brown

MID

Reece Havelock-Brown

Reece joined in October 2025 from neighbours Whickham having also played for Crook Town. In his first Birtley appearance against West Allotment, he struck the post with his first touch of the ball and grabbed an assist on his full debut against West Auckland Town. He went on to make 19 appearances and add two goals with many assists in addition.

James Proctor

MID

James Proctor

Proc joined us in the summer of 2023 after our promotion from Northern League Division Two. Proctor joined the club after a spell at Heaton Stannington. James has plenty of pace to burn and the former Whitley Bay man can also weigh in with his fair share of goals as he did in the 25/26 season when he was the Hoops’ top scorer. He also won players’ and supporters’ player of the season on awards night. Against Crook in December he also made his 100th appearance and we are delighted that he is returning for the 26/27 season.

Kyle Wharton

MID

Kyle Wharton

Kyle joined the club in the summer of 2023 after impressing in friendlies against Ashington and Shotton. Kyle is a tough tackling versatile midfielder who first came onto our radar playing for Winlaton. A really strong player, loves a challenge and is always wanting to improve his game. One of four players to pass 100 appearance mark in 25/26, he also cleaned up on Awards Night winning Committee & Volunteers’ Player, as well as Joint Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards. 

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MID

Aaron Croft

Aaron recently joined the club from Chester-le-Street Town

FORWARDS

Nick Marley

FOR

Nick Marley

A real old school forward player who is a nightmare for defenders. Marley joined Birtley at the start of the 24/25 season and he opened his Birtley account in the FA Cup win against Bridlington Town. Another goal soon followed in an away game at Newcastle Benfield.

A handful for the opposition, Marley works hard to support and supply his teammates. Marley registered 12 goals in 31 games last season as he finished as the club’s 2nd highest goalscorer. 

Regan Paterson

FOR

Regan Paterson

Regan joins us from North Shields where he made 34 league appearances last season also scoring seven times. In all he made over 100 appearances for the Robins, while he also has had spells at Whitley Bay and West Allotment Celtic.

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FOR

Scott Heslop

Scott returned to the Hoops midway through last season and added eight goals in 20 appearances before suffering an injury away at Shildon. Hezz had previously had two season in green and white from 23-25 bagging 43 goals in 88 appearances. Previously he had stints at Consett, Dunston and Ashington.

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FOR

Charlie Aitken

Centre Forward Charlie joined us from Whickham AFC in March 2026. Charlie has blistering pace and is a constant threat to defenders. His debut came in a 4-2 defeat at Kendal however it did not take long for Charlie to score his opening goals for The Hoops. Charlie scored the single winning goal in consecutive 1-0 away wins at Crook Town and Northallerton before a hamstring injury brought his season to a premature end. We are looking forward to seeing Charlie in action again this season. 

Matty Ward

FOR

Matty Ward

Wardy is a dynamic player who is comfortable with either foot while possessing a moment of magic. The exciting forward player was signed from Heaton Stan after scoring 24 goals in 36 games for Chester-le-Street Town. Ward is still in his early 20’s and has scored some worldies in recent seasons, notably against Whickham in the derby at the end of last season. Matty was also one of those to pass 100 Hoops appearances with his landmark gaming coming against Barnoldswick Town in August. 

Management & Coaches