Andy Lister

@bishopafc Fantastic news! Welcome home lads!

✍️✍️ Bishop Auckland FC is delighted to announce the signing of Amar and Arjun Purewal from Stockton Town. The brothers are both former Punjab internationals and are no strangers to Bishop Auckland FC, having both previously represented the club earlier in their careers. Striker Amar came through the ranks at Newcastle United Academy, where he spent five years. Following his release, he went on to have spells with Newcastle Benfield, Durham City, Darlington, Shildon, West Auckland and Hebburn Town. Defender Arjun has previously featured for Darlington, Durham City, Blyth Spartans, Whitby Town and Consett FC. In 2008, the brothers entered the record books as teenagers when they became the first twins to score in the same FA Cup tie, both netting for Bishops in a 3-2 victory. The twin brothers made history once again when they played against each other in the FA Vase Final between Hebburn Town and Consett. Arjun captained Consett out at Wembley, while Amar scored the equaliser for Hebburn, who went on to win 3-2 and lift the FA Vase for the first time in the club’s history. Welcome back, lads 💙🩵 Amar and Arjun are both available to sponsor. For further details, please email:
secretary@bishopafc.com 📸 Photo courtesy of Joe Gorman. #TheBishops #TwoBlues

@bishopafc Great to see Dane back! Another box to box athlete who should enjoy playing in Martin's team

✍️ Bishop Auckland FC is delighted to announce the signing of Dane Burlace. No stranger to the club, the former Leeds United academy player returns for his third spell with the Two Blues, and we are delighted to welcome him back. Known for his exciting attacking play down the right flank, Dane played a huge role in our 2023/24 title-winning season. He later returned to the club on loan from Spennymoor Town during the 2024/25 campaign before spending time travelling around Australia. Dane now joins us from Redcar Athletic. Welcome back, Dane. 💙🩵 Dane is now available to sponsor. For further details, please email:
secretary@bishopafc.com 📸 Photo courtesy of Joe Gorman. #TheBishops #TwoBlues

@bishopafc Thanks for your efforts Steve and, of course to all Martin's team. All the best for next season

Chairman’s update Saturday confirmed our relegation back to the Northern League Division One and I have spent the last few days trying to take in what has happened and unfortunately our efforts and prayers didn't quite get it us over the line. I found this very hard to take on Saturday as I honestly thought we could stay up and win Saturdays game. I would like to thank Martin, Deano, Stevie and Niall along with Jack for taking on the challenge in January where they steadied the ship, with 7 wins 7 losses and 3 draws. Martin brought in some new players who made an instant impact but we were then hit again with injuries and further suspensions. At some points relegation looked to be certain but with 3 great wins over Easter we gave ourselves a chance, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. I am delighted to announce Martin and his team have agreed to stay on and help us get back to where we deserve to be. Martin and his team have worked tirelessly since their arrival and have our full support moving forward. Martin shares the clubs vision and following a good chat the work starts now to begin our new challenge. Martin has very strong work ethics and is fully committed to Bishop Auckland FC with high expectations for his team who need to have the same commitment and desire. We have a fantastic club and infrastructure and I am always looking to move forward with new ideas and hopefully this time next season we are again celebrating success. It had been a difficult season but everyone connected with the club has worked tirelessly. I would like to thank all our dedicated supporters who have continued to follow us throughout the season. Thank you to our generous sponsors who without them, we wouldn’t be able to compete at this level. Thank you to our committed volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to operate match days without you. Thank you to all our back room staff, our employees, my fellow directors, our players and management team too. We now have to adapt to a new league and the hard work starts now, but let’s hope for a successful 26-27 season. Steve C

@MikeAmosBlog Enjoyable as ever, but I am feeling brave, so will dare to delve into linguistics! I'm surprised Dave hasn't picked you up, but I don't see Caer Urfa as Latin! Arbeia, yes, but Caer Urfa has to be Brythonic..... as, I guess, the lovely Sharon would be very happy to tell you!!

April 16 2026: 1 UPmanship mikeamosblog.wordpress.com/2026/04/17/apr…

@bishopafc A win for the players, the club, but above all for Martin - the lads played their hearts out for him!

Yes!! 1-0 ft

@bishopafc He has been a stand out player. All the best for a full recovery

Injury news After sustaining an injury during yesterday’s game, Jermaine Metz (Metzy) has had a scan this morning and sadly he has been diagnosed with a full rupture tendon of his knee. Metzy is hoping to have surgery tomorrow. This is really disappointing news for Metzy and the team, who has even ever present during the season. Everyone at Bishop Auckland FC would like to wish Metzy a full and speedy recovery.

@bishopafc Big credit to Martin, his team and the lads. They bossed the game and gave a huge effort. Closing down the opposition, from their keeper to their striker meant they were always struggling to build anything. A superb team performance!

𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗦. Together from first whistle to last 👊 Battled, stuck to the job, and got what we deserved. Thank you for the backing as always 💙 #TheBishops | #TwoBlues

@bishopafc 9 games out of 10 will be won with performances like this! Go again next week and look for the 3 points

Full Time Bishop Auckland 1 Brighouse Town 1. Attendance 403. Scorer: Roberts.

@MikeAmosBlog @FanzineFC Obviously, I can't guarantee no AI was involved, but I can be confident that it wasn't me!! Just keep on blogging on (to misquote Churchill)

More fantastic fanzines! @FanzineFC Read more on mikeamosblog.wordpress.com

@bishopafc Great result for all, but especially such a positive start for Martin! Something to build on!!!

Full Time Bridlington Town 1 Bishop Auckland 3. Scorers: Almond, og, Hopson. Attendance 262

@bishopafc Congratulations Martin!! From Fishburn Youthy to a proper, top club ...... Welcome to the Bishops!!

Bishop Auckland FC - Managerial Appointment. We would like to announce the appointment of Martin Gray as Manager of Bishop Auckland FC. Martin is no stranger to Heritage Park as this was his ‘home ground’ whist in situ as Manager at Darlington. Whilst Martin had spells of managing at Oldham Athletic and York City he is known more for his work at Darlington FC. On the 28th May 2012, Martin signed a 2 year deal with Darlington and remained with the club until 2017. During Martin’s tenure with Darlington and in his first season he guided the club to win the Northern League Division One title. The following year he reached the NPL North play offs finals where, unfortunately they were knocked out in the semi finals. In the next season Martin guided Darlington to another second place finish this time winning the play off final. In 2015-16 under his leadership they won the NPL Premier Division and the following year finished 5th in the National League North. Martin also had a spell with our neighbours Shildon FC as Sporting Director. Martin is also an ex-footballer having played for Sunderland, Aldershot, Fulham, Oxford United, Darlington and Bishop Auckland FC. Martin will be joined in the technical area by Stevie Johnson and Dean Brown. Chairman Steve Coulthard says “he is delighted at the appointment and is looking forward to having Martin on board. We all know that the job ahead is going to be a difficult one but we feel Martin is the right person and can help us get the points we need to keep us in this league.” On his appointment Martin says “I am extremely grateful to the chairman and directors for the opportunity to become manager of Bishop Auckland FC, and I’m proud to take on this role alongside my coaching staff, Dean Browne and Steven Johnson. I’m really looking forward to getting back to work with the players and reconnecting with a club that means a great deal to me. Heritage Park has been a huge part of my journey as a manager, including achieving three promotions, and it’s a place where I believe success can be built again. Our immediate focus is on keeping the club in the league, and I firmly believe we have more than enough time, quality and determination to achieve that. There are still plenty of points to play for, and supporters can expect a team that works hard, plays with pride, and gives everything for the badge. I’m excited by the challenge ahead and confident that, together with the fans, we can look forward with real belief and ambition.”   Martin will be spending the week getting to know the players and working alongside Mikey Roberts who will continue to manage the team until after Saturday’s game at Ossett. Martin will officially take over after the match on Saturday, although he will be present. We would like to thank everyone else for their applications and wish them well in the their future. We would also like to place on record our thanks to both Mikey Roberts and Jack Purdham who have massively supported us over the last few weeks, both working tirelessly and going above and beyond our expectations in the running of the team and keeping things moving. #TwoBlues #TheBishops

In a few seconds , Bishops failure this season is highlit by Sunderland. Every man fighting for every ball, every time. Show this to any team, any training session!!

@MikeAmosBlog Surely a connection from road to hell and the river Rea ..... In the local accent, Gravelly Hill is mangled to " Gravely Ill". Next stop Hell for the sinners of Brum??

January 2 2026: season's greetings mikeamosblog.wordpress.com/2026/01/03/jan…

@bishopafc There will be a lot of people wishing the very best for Harry at such a sad time. Hope it helps a little bit.

Everyone at Bishop Auckland is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Harry Dunn’s wife Susan. Our thoughts and prayers are with Harry and the family at this difficult time. RIP Susan.

@MikeAmosBlog @bishopafc @ConsettAFC @NonLeagueCrowd Sorry to miss you at Bishop - grandchildren over to visit. Re: Sunderland v City; have you noticed that all "national" media only report on "big" clubs. City were tired. City were out of sorts. Haarland was off his game. Rarely a mention that Sunderland may have played well!!

Grim start for @bishopafc playing @ConsettAFC . Will a new manager work some magic? @NonLeagueCrowd . Read more on mikeamosblog.wordpress.com

@MikeAmosBlog Agreeing twice!! 😱 Bishop will be playing a friendly at Dean Street before we know it 😂😂

@ALister2095 Cheers, Andy. I agree entirely - that's trwice in amonth - but Terry's not THAT small....

December 11 2025: tall story mikeamosblog.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/dec…

@MikeAmosBlog 😂😭

@ALister2095 Bloody hell, Andy, I'm in danger of agreeing with you here - so much so that we'll say nowt about yesterday's result at HP.

November 29 2025: something for a rainy day mikeamosblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/30/nov…