Newton Aycliffe FC have pulled off a shock coup by appointing former West Auckland boss Peter Dixon as their new manger. The 46-year-old took over the reins at the Aux Audio Stadium after last weekend’s derby defeat at home to Shildon. Dixon twice guided West to Wembley in the FA Vase while he was also just pipped to the Northern League title two years ago, but left the club in August.
Following Dixon to Aycliffe is his assistant manager Paul Foster, first team coach Gus Di Lella and coach Craig McRobie, and at least four or five new signings are expected as Dixon begins his rebuilding work.
“We’re hopeful we can get some decent results and start to get the fans back. Allan (Oliver) has told me about the type of crowds they’ve had before, 600 for a second division game which is unheard of in this league and up to 300 in their first season in the first division. It’s kind of faded away, which has coincided with poor results. The league position speaks volumes and Allan has asked me to come in and improve fortunes on the pitch. Allan is confident that if we do improve things on the pitch it will attract more interest from supporters.”
It was chairman Oliver who persuaded him to join the club, while Aycliffe’s commercial and PR work off the field during the summer has put them in a sound position to be able to meet Dixon’s requirements.
Meanwhile, Oliver says the opportunity to bring well-known Northern League manager Peter Dixon to the club was a “no brainer”. Dixon was a much sought-after manager after leaving West in August and apparently turned down offers from four other clubs before opting to head to the Aux Audio Stadium at Moore Lane Park. Oliver said: “To say we’re delighted would be an understatement. He’ll leave no stone unturned to get results. It wasn’t that long ago that West Auckland were saying he’s the best manager they’ve ever had, and if he has half as much success with us as he did with West, we’d be over the moon with that. It will hopefully make a few people stand up and take notice of the club.
Oliver added: “We felt like the club has stagnated. We’ve had a meteoric rise through the leagues, then we’ve hit a plateau, and for a season-and-a-half now we’ve gone very quiet. Given time, Peter will get a quality team together. It’s about stabilising the club this season, consolidating and start winning games – and put smiles back on faces again.”
PETER DIXON – FACTFILE
Gateshead-born Peter Dixon started his managerial career with Crook Town and after rebuilding the club left a possible second division challenge to join West Auckland in December 2009. He was tasked with the “impossible” job of keeping West in the top flight, but he completed a remarkable escape before finishing 16th in the table.
In the 2010-11 season his side broke club records with their highest-ever points tally on the way to finishing in sixth. The following year was even better – a sensational season as he led West Auckland to the FA Vase Final at Wembley, which they lost 2-0 to Dunston. They also suffered further heartache when they just missed out on the league title before finishing runners-up in the League Cup as well.
West again reached the FA Vase last season, this time losing to Sholing, while they finished fourth in the first division. But the 46-year-old dropped a bombshell when he left West in August just days into the new season, and has had approaches from at least four other top-flight clubs since. Following Dixon to Aycliffe is his assistant manager Paul Foster, coach Craig McRobie and first team coach Gus Di Lella, the Argentinean former Hartlepool United player who now coaches Pools’ Under-15s side.
