Morpeth Town FC: From Village Green to Wembley
The story of Morpeth Town AFC — from its founding in 1909 to a famous 4-1 FA Vase victory at Wembley in 2016, and life in the Northern Premier League at Craik Park.
On 22 May 2016, a small-town football club from Northumberland walked out at Wembley Stadium in front of thousands of travelling supporters, went a goal down in the first two minutes, and then put four past their opponents to win the FA Vase. That club was Morpeth Town AFC — the Highwaymen — and that afternoon remains the greatest day in the club's history.
But the story of Morpeth Town is about far more than one match. It is the story of a community club that has survived over a century of non-league football, built its own ground from nothing, and punched consistently above its weight.
The Early Years
Morpeth Town AFC was founded in 1909. The club spent its early decades in local football, playing in the Northumberland leagues and building a modest reputation. In 1936, they joined the Northern Alliance, a well-established competition for clubs in the North East.
Progress was steady rather than spectacular. The club's first major honour came in the 1983-84 season, when they won the Northern Alliance championship. This success helped establish Morpeth as one of the stronger non-league sides in Northumberland.
Craik Park
The club's home is Craik Park, named after W. and R. Craik — father and son who between them served as club secretary from 1920 to 1985. The ground was developed in 1994 when the club relocated to the site, and it has been improved steadily over the years.
Craik Park is a proper non-league ground: intimate, well-maintained, and with a genuine atmosphere on matchdays. The facilities have been upgraded to meet the requirements of the Northern Premier League, but it retains the feel of a community club rather than a corporate operation.
The ground is located off Craik Park Road in Morpeth and is easily accessible from the town centre. For those visiting Morpeth and looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon, a match at Craik Park is a fine way to spend a couple of hours.
Best for: Craik Park is named after the Craik family, who served as club secretary for 65 years between 1920 and 1985.
The Road to Wembley — FA Vase 2016
The 2015-16 season was the one that changed everything. Morpeth entered the FA Vase — the national cup competition for clubs at Steps 5 and 6 of the non-league pyramid — and embarked on a remarkable run that took them all the way to the final at Wembley.
Their opponents in the final were Hereford FC, a phoenix club with a large and passionate fanbase. Morpeth were underdogs, and when Hereford scored in the second minute, it looked like the script was being written for the bigger club.
What followed was extraordinary. Chris Swailes, the 45-year-old centre-back and club legend, headed in an equaliser before half-time. In the second half, Morpeth were irresistible. Luke Carr scored within a minute of the restart, and further goals from Sean Taylor and Shaun Bell completed a stunning 4-1 victory.
The scenes at the final whistle were unforgettable. Thousands of Morpeth supporters celebrated at Wembley, and the players returned to Northumberland for an open-top bus parade through the town — a moment that brought the whole community together.
Best for: Morpeth beat Hereford FC 4-1 in the 2016 FA Vase final at Wembley, with goals from Swailes, Carr, Taylor, and Bell.
Climbing the Pyramid
The FA Vase triumph was not a one-off. Morpeth continued to improve, and promotion followed. After finishing as runners-up in the Northern League in 2017-18, they moved up to Division One East of the Northern Premier League.
The following season brought another promotion. Morpeth won Division One East, earning their place in the Northern Premier League Premier Division — Step 3 of the non-league pyramid, just three divisions below the Football League. For a club from a town of around 14,000 people, this was a significant achievement.
The 2024-25 season saw Morpeth finish eighth in the Premier Division, a solid mid-table finish that confirmed their place at this level. The club continues to compete strongly, with ambitions to push higher.
The Highwaymen
Morpeth Town are known as the Highwaymen — a distinctive nickname that sets them apart in non-league football. The club plays in amber and black, and matchdays at Craik Park have a loyal and vocal following.
The atmosphere at home games is everything non-league football should be: close to the action, affordable, and genuinely communal. You can stand on the terrace with a pie and a cup of tea and watch football played with real intensity and commitment. It is a world away from the Premier League, and many would argue it is better for it.
Community Club
What makes Morpeth Town special is its role in the community. This is a club run by volunteers, supported by local businesses, and followed by people who care about the town. The youth setup feeds local talent into the first team, and the club's matchday operation depends on the goodwill of dozens of unpaid helpers.
For anyone who has moved to Morpeth and is looking for a way to get involved in local life, Morpeth Town FC is an excellent starting point. Whether you want to watch, volunteer, or simply have somewhere to go on a Saturday afternoon, the Highwaymen are welcoming.
For more on sport in the area, see our guides to running in Morpeth and gyms and swimming.
Visiting Craik Park
| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Ground | Craik Park, Craik Park Road, Morpeth | | League | Northern Premier League Premier Division (Step 3) | | Nickname | The Highwaymen | | Founded | 1909 | | Colours | Amber and black | | Admission | Pay on the gate; check the club website for prices | | Website | morpethtownfc.com |
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