Quite a Scoop as I met up with Ashington stalwart

show and asked me which Ashington players I would like to speak to after the game.

To some it was a pre-season friendly but to Scoop it was everything.

That is why he has become a much-loved and admired figure within Northern League circles.

Over the last 45 years he has become part of the furniture at Ashington.

You just expect him to be there and there is a reason for that. He is always there!

Even at Bodmin Town – although I was told not to mention that by Colliers’ secretary Gavin Perry.

Scoop’s commitment to the role is simply second-to-none, his drive and determination to keep on improving are a lesson to any aspiring press officer or writer.

We still speak on a weekly basis and Ashington are always the first club to send in team news to help with previews for the Journal and Chronicle.

In fact, quite often, Scoop’s email lands in my inbox within 24 hours of the full-time whistle in Ashington’s game on the Saturday.

How he keeps up the standards he has set in 45 of commitment to Ashington is beyond me but his enthusiasm and dedication deserves reward.

The Colliers exactly that.

Earlier this month, the Woodhorn Lane press box was renamed “The Brian Bennett press box”.

A reward for “services and dedication to Ashington Football have done Club and Sport in Wansbeck.” It is a fitting reward and I cannot think of many people who deserve such a wonderful tribute.

I am fortunate to work with some quite outstanding people in my role.

The hard work in adversity from Gateshead’s Dominic Scurr and the non-stop, highclass performance from Daniel Prince at South Shields deserve a lot of praise.

Ross Jackson at Morpeth Town has brought innovation to his role at Craik Park and Julian Tyley – a long-time friend of Scoop – is a man of many roles at Whitley Bay and has somehow mastered them all.

There are so many more around the region’s nonleague scene.

Volunteers deserve every bit of recognition that they receive.

That is why it will be an honour to sit in the Brian Bennett pressbox whenever I head to Woodhorn Lane.

Well done on 45 years of excellence Scoop!