Play-off hopes, derby wins and history in the FA Vase: Prudhoe YC have had a season to remember  

With Prudhoe closing out their Ebac Northern League Division Two season on Friday night, let’s look back at the biggest moments of the YC’s 24/25 campaign. 

First half of the season 

The Seniors began their season away to newly promoted Grangetown BC, playing out a 2-2 draw in front of an impressive crowd of 337.  

Delight in the derbies 

After a mixed bag of results in the opening eight games of the campaign, Prudhoe faced local rivals Ryton & Crawcrook Albion away from home. In front of a crowd of 475 at the Oldhaulage Stadium, goals from YC fan favourites Craig Fairley and Matt Law earned Prudhoe a sweet 2-0 victory in the Tyne Valley derby.  

A few weeks later, Mark McMeekin’s side came out on top in another rivalry, the Essity Park derby, beating Newcastle University. A trio of goalscorers in Jordan Plunkett, Freddie Marr, and Lucca Taylor saw the Northumberland team claim bragging rights over The Royals in a 3-1 win.  

FA Vase 

Outside of the league, the 24/25 season also marked the furthest Prudhoe have ever gotten in the FA Vase. Following a 6-1 thrashing of Division One outfit West Allotment Celtic, the YC were drawn against another side a division above, Redcar Athletic, in the First Round. Whilst McMeekin’s men battled hard, their high-flying opponents secured a 5-2 victory and advanced to the next round.  

The push for play-offs 

Perhaps against the odds, a strong run of form in October and November had Prudhoe firmly in the play-off race and sitting as high as 5th position. Prudhoe gained serious momentum in this period, picking up 19 points from eight league games, including important wins against Chester-le-Street Town, Sunderland West End and Chester-le-Street United.

As a result, the YC were right on track to be in and around the promotion push come the end of the season.  

Second half of the season 

Unfortunately, a Tyne Valley derby loss on Boxing Day and a poor string of draws and defeats at the beginning of 2025 meant the YC slipped out the race for promotion. 

Hopes of a late push for a play-off spot gradually faded as Prudhoe settled into the mid-table positions.  

Record victories 

It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, Prudhoe registered their biggest victory of the season in February. The YC put on a rampant display at the Northern Area Playing Fields to knock seven past Washington and claim a first league win since November. Matt Law netted a hattrick, whilst Brad Lowes, Collins Unuareokpa and Jordan Plunkett all got themselves on the scoresheet. 

Non-League Day 

On top of this, a proud moment in the YC’s growing history came in March, on Non-League Day. In a 3-1 win against Billingham Synthonia at Essity Park, three 16-year-olds, Charlie Shane-Stone, Cameron Toal and Harry Frazer, stepped up from Prudhoe’s junior ranks to make their senior debuts. 

Review 

Despite a disappointing end to the campaign, the season was filled with highs for the YC. Throughout 24/25, Prudhoe looked an assured and strong side in only their third term in the Ebac Northern League. Although form declined, McMeekin’s men bettered both their league position of 15th and final points tally in the 23/24 season (49), finishing 24/25 with 60 points and a top half finish.  

A definite team to look out for next season, the YC will be looking to bridge the gap between themselves and the play-off positions.