Former FA Vase winner Walton named as new Sunderland West End player-manager

Sunderland West End have confirmed former FA Vase and Durham Challenge Cup winner Joe Walton has agreed to become their new player-manager.

After playing for West End earlier in his career, Walton went on to experience great success after lifting the Vase and becoming a Northern League champion with Spennymoor Town before earning promotion during his time with Morpeth Town. Walton has spent the last three seasons with Hebburn Town and was part of the Hornets side that lifted the Durham Challenge Cup with a Stadium of Light win against Spennymoor in 2023 before being crowned as Northern Premier League East Division champions 12 months later.

However, Walton will now begin his managerial career with West End as he looks to build on a successful season that saw former manager Steve Cockrill guide the club to their highest ever finish in the Northern League Division Two table after they ended this season in eighth place.

A statement released by the club on Friday read: “We are delighted to announce our new player-manager as Joe Walton. A local lad, a former player, a current West End youth coach and also a mini-West Enders coach, Joe is no stranger to the club. As a committee, we are over the moon Joe has agreed to become our new manager on Tuesday and we now look forward to a very exciting future ahead.

“All the experience and winning mentality over the years, we believe will help Joe in his first management job here at Sunderland West End. Joe is a local lad, who loves the club and gets what we are about so it’s a perfect match for us. At the moment, Joe will be joined by coaches Dan Martin and David Keithley. Joe’s assistant will be announced very soon. Welcome home Joe.”

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