Whickham get “feel good factor back around the club” after tough few weeks
Written by Lucas Woolley on 6th October 2026
The past few weeks have been difficult for everyone at Whickham FC. The club’s budget for the season was deemed unsustainable, and players and staff were asked to take a pay cut.
In response, the senior first-team players chose to leave for other clubs, while joint managers David Palmer and Dan Craggs resigned.
The club was then left in a difficult position. It missed the deadline to register players, forcing it to postpone its away fixture against Blyth Town. Whickham subsequently fielded inexperienced reserve-team players, several divisions below the first team.
Despite a determined effort from the youngsters, led by reserve coaches Andy Kingsland and Freddie Armstrong, the team suffered heavy defeats, including 9–0 to Easington Colliery and 10–1 to Crook Town.
Whickham FC First Mortgage Glebe
Photo Credit: Lucas Woolley
Armstrong said: “We were in the job to help keep the club going and every single lad that stepped up should hold their heads high. They gave everything.”
The new manager tasked to prevent Whickham from free-fall was former Blyth Spartans midfielder Nicky Deverdics who takes his position as a player/coach. Whickham is Nicky’s first venture into management after last season featuring for Heaton Stannington.
Armstrong said: “Nicky’s great, he’s a great professional that will drive standards up.”
NEW FIRST TEAM MANAGEMENT!
Whickham FC are delighted to announce the appointment of Nicky Deverdics as First team manager, assisted by Stuart Brightwell as assistant.
We thanks Andy, Keith and Freddie for the efforts as interims. They will manage our game at Crook on Saturday. https://t.co/qkKN6FljHF
— Whickham FC (@WhickhamFC) September 4, 2026
Whickham lost 4-1 to Newton Aycliffe to exit the FA Trophy however local rivals Birtley visited The Glebe in the FA Vase and after a 94th minute David Below equaliser, Whickham won on penalties to kick start the new era at Whickham.
“The win against Birtley was huge… it was a feel good factor back around the club.” Armstrong added.
Now just a few weeks after the future of Whickham looked bleak, it looks promising. I2i talents Sean Comstock, Malachi Ray-Tharpe and Tristan Ajavon have committed their future to the club and look like exciting talents to help Whickham retain their place in Northern league Division One.
Northern League fan Joel Robson said: “They have recruited well, brought in young and exciting players who want to work hard and it has paid off.”
Whickham have since picked up huge results in the league drawing 3-3 to league leaders Bishop Auckland and beating Thornaby 3-1 as they look to become the dangerous team, they were before.
