Durham United Youth Football Club

Changes at Maiden Castle
As one season closes, we want to say a huge thank you to some very special people who are moving on, before we look to a new season!

Our First Team players are Durham University students first and Durham United players second — and that makes what they've achieved this season all the more impressive. A safe finish in our first year at Step 6 of the Northern Football League (the second oldest football league in the world!) is something to be genuinely proud of.

A special mention to Oliver Williams (Secretary and all-round Mr Fix-It — a true claret), Jonny Evans (Treasurer), and the many graduating players who have given so much to this club. We'll miss you all at Maiden Castle. We hope you look back on your time as Durham United players with as much pride as we have in you.

To Head Coach Cameron Bhamra — Wearside League double winners in 2025, Step 6 safety secured in 2025/26. What a record. We're grateful for everything, Cam. All the best for what comes next.

And to Richard Warburton, Durham University's Performance Sport Manager since 2008 — our partnership with the university wouldn't be what it is without you. We say goodbye for now, and hope to see you back at Maiden Castle very soon.

Finally — a warm office welcome to the new First Team leadership duo: top keeper Pat Dixon (Natural Sciences, goalkeeper) and top goal scorer Phil Kay (Sport & Exercise Science, striker), who take the reins for Year 2 of the Northern League.

Exciting times ahead! 🙌

Once a claret, always a claret.

Team spotlight — U12 Wolves 🐺

🏆 Highlight of the season
After a tough start to the season in difficult circumstances, the lads showed they could compete with some of the best teams in the league. Not through technical brilliance — through attitude and teamwork. What a mad season!

🔑 Three words that sum us up: Positive, Determined

📝 Our season in two words: Development and understanding

Shout out for our Team Sponsor

U12 Wolves — that turnaround in form was something else. What changed for you? Let us know below 👇

Team spotlight — U12 Pumas 🐆

🏆 Highlight of the season
Two for the ages. A last-second equaliser against the unbeaten league leaders — caught on parent VAR when the opposition disputed it. And one of our 12-year-olds calmly educating an opposition parent on the sideline on how to behave. Legends, both.

🔑 Three words that sum us up: Determined, Passionate, Fun-loving

📝 Our season in two words: Emotional rollercoaster

Shout out for our Team Sponsors

U12 Pumas — that VAR moment lives rent-free in everyone's heads. Tell us your version below 👇

Thank you, referees. 🙏⚽

As the 2025/26 season comes to a close, we want to take a moment to say a huge thank you to every referee who has supported the Durham United YFC games programme this year — over 300 games, in every condition the North East could throw at us. Wind, rain, snow… and the occasional sunny Saturday morning at 10am (we know they're rare round here!).

On behalf of our players, coaches and parents — we are genuinely grateful for your time, your commitment, and your support throughout the season.

A special mention to Matt Stevenson, our Club Secretary and Referee Coordinator, who works so hard behind the scenes to make sure every game has someone there to officiate — and who is just as grateful for your availability as we all are.

To our young referees in particular — we love seeing you develop, week after week. We hope every match, every decision, and yes, every mistake (we make plenty in the penalty box too!) helps build the confidence that will carry you forward, whatever path you choose in life.

Football unites us. Community football is at its best when players, referees, coaches and parents all share in fair play and respect for one another.

Thank you for everything this season. We'll see you in August when it all starts again. ⚽

https://www.thefa.com/get-involved/referee/becoming-a-referee
email Durham FA to find the next course: [email protected]

Thank you — Durham United YFC 🔴🟡

Team spotlight — U12 Tigers 🐯

🏆 Highlight of the season
Securing promotion with an 8-1 win on the last day of the season at UMCC — a ground where last year held some very tough memories. What a way to rewrite history.

🔑 Three words that sum us up: Resilience, Progress, Graft

📝 Our season in two words: Deserved promotion

Shout out for our Team Sponsor

U12 Tigers — who was there for that last-day 8-1? Drop your memory below 👇

That's a wrap on the 2025/26 season at Durham United FC. 🏁

16 teams + 16 stories shared. One incredible footy season.

Starting tomorrow, our teams get their moment in the spotlight — highlights, the words that defined them, and the two words that sum up their season.

👇 Drop your team in the comments so we know you're watching. Tag a player or parent who deserves to see their team's feature when it drops!

⚽ Durham United FC — Est. 2012 — 2025/26 Season Wrap

⚽❤️💛 THANK YOU, RED ENGINEERING ❤️💛⚽

As the 2025/26 season comes to a close, everyone at Durham United U10 Leopards would like to say a huge thank you to Red Engineering for their fantastic support throughout the year.

Grassroots football is all about the players, and this season our girls have shown just how special this team is. From training sessions to matchdays, they’ve worked hard, played with passion, supported each other brilliantly and represented Durham United with real pride.

We are incredibly proud of their commitment, teamwork and determination, and it’s been brilliant to watch them grow in confidence both on and off the pitch throughout the season.

We’d also like to thank our parents and families for their continued support, from lifts to matches, encouragement on the sidelines and everything in between, none of this would be possible without you.

Support from Red Engineering has helped make all of this happen, giving the girls the opportunity to train, play and enjoy their football in the right environment. It really does make a difference at grassroots level.

As we look ahead to the 2026/27 season, we’re excited to continue building on everything this group of players has achieved.

From all the players, coaches and families at Durham United U10 Leopards, thank you, Red Engineering.

Find out more about Red Engineering at: https://redengineering.co.uk/

❤️💛⚽

🏆 Presentation Day 2025 – Thank You! 🏆

What a fantastic afternoon and evening celebrating another brilliant season together.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day such a success. It was wonderful to see so many players, parents, families and supporters coming together to celebrate the achievements of our club.

Special thanks to our fantastic entertainment throughout the day:

🎩 James Piatt - Magician for keeping everyone amazed with his incredible magic.
🎤 Alex Hall Music providing a brilliant soundtrack to round off the evening.
🎪 Our inflatable providers Auckland Castles keeping the players and siblings entertained all day long.

We would also like to thank Caroline and all the team at Durham City Rugby Club for hosting us and helping the day run so smoothly. Your support is greatly appreciated.

A huge thank you must also go to our committee members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organise the event. From planning and preparation to making sure everything ran seamlessly on the day, your efforts do not go unnoticed.

Most importantly, thank you to all of our players. Your effort, commitment, development and enthusiasm throughout the season are what make this club so special.

To all of our parents and families, thank you for the countless lifts, early mornings, muddy boots, touchline support and everything you do behind the scenes. We couldn’t do it without you.

And finally, a massive thank you to every one of our coaches and volunteers. The time, energy and dedication you give week after week to support, develop and inspire our players is truly appreciated. Your commitment throughout the season has helped create so many memorable moments both on and off the pitch.

Congratulations to all of our award winners and every player who represented the club this season.

As one season ends, we would also like to wish all those whose journey with DUFC has come to an end the very best for the future. We hope your time with the club has been a positive and memorable part of your lives, and you will always be welcome back at DUFC.

Now, after one final celebration…

⚽ Season 2026/27 starts now! ⚽

Presentation day 2026

📸 SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO SHARE

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our end-of-season celebrations today!

To all of our players, parents, families and coaches – thank you for being part of another fantastic season.

Your support, commitment and enthusiasm are what make our club such a special place.

We’re sure there were lots of great moments captured throughout the day, so if you took any photos and would be happy for us to share them, please send them in. We’d love to showcase some of the memories from the event and celebrate the season together.

Thank you again to everyone who came along and helped make the day such a success. ⚽🏆

🎉 Presentation Day – Today! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome you all to Durham City Rugby Club later today for our club presentations.

📝 Entry
Everyone who has bought a ticket will be on the door list. No physical tickets are needed.

⏰ Timings

Arrivals from 2:00pm

Presentations begin at 2:30pm

U12's and older starts at 5 pm, please consider it may be busy in the crossover between the 2 presentations.

Bar open and food available from the rugby club throughout the day.

👕 What to Wear
Match or training kit is not required. Some teams may have arranged to wear theirs, so please check with your coaches.

🎪 Activities & Entertainment

Inflatables for players and siblings: 2:30pm – 7:30pm

James Piatt - Magician: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Singer Alex Hall Music: 7:30pm – 9:30pm to close the event

There may also be some rugby 7s happening on the pitch for anyone who’d like to watch.

♻️ Kit & Boot Donations
We’ll have a collection box for any old match kit still in good condition, as well as any boots you’d like to pass on to Replay.

🌤️ Presentations
Weather permitting, presentations will take place outdoors, in the main room, and later in the evening also in the upstairs room.

This day is all about our players, coaches, and families. Enjoy your celebrations and have a fantastic day together. 🎉