Had it not been for a points deduction, The Hornets would’ve finished third in Northern League Division Two and thus gained promotion to the top flight.

They also held Spennymoor from the Northern Premier League to a 4-4 draw in the Durham Challenge Cup.

The Moors went 2-0 up in the replay before Hebburn pegged level, though an unfortunate late own goal meant Spennymoor progressed in the competition.

And times were made tougher for Hebburn as they suffered vandalism and an arson-related fire to the clubhouse in the off-season.

Fast forward a year and the luck finally went Hebburn’s way.

The Hornets stormed the second division of the Northern League and clinched promotion, as well as reaching the Durham Challenge Cup Final.

The best thing about it - it was a local squad built by local people.

The club’s current Chairman and then manager, Vin Pearson, carved the way for that success before stepping down due to family reasons.

“Football became too much for me,” he recalled.

“My brother-in-law had cancer so we were rushing to hospital frequently and it was difficult to continue with the football.

“I had a few months out of football but I went to the Durham Challenge Cup Final and celebrated afterwards, it was a really proud day.

“I signed most of the players and my assistant Brian Prior took charge for the rest of the season when I stepped down.

“We had a really good squad from around the area, my son Chris [Pearson] played at the back and was the probably youngest at the time.

“I remember his debut was away to Crook in midweek - he used to wear contact lenses and he kept asking when the floodlights would go on, they were on already!”

Chris Pearson was just 19 when he departed Newcastle United’s youth set-up and linked up with his dad at Hebburn.

The centre-back was instrumental in the defensive line which included future Hebburn gaffer Scott Oliver and tenacious left-back Michael Wharton.

One player who Chris paid testament to was experienced captain and centre-back partner Les Tatum.

“I can’t remember much about the cup final itself other than us being under the cosh and it was exhausting because the pitch was giant,” said Pearson.

“I played alongside Les Tatum at centre-half that season, he was the skipper and he was one of the best in the Northern League.

“Everything looked easy for him and since I was quite young, he taught me a lot which I was grateful for.

“I can remember the celebrations of the day quite well - I don’t know if it’s the same trophy now but it was absolutely massive.

“The year before I played for Newcastle U19s and won a cup but this was my first season in senior football so it was a good few years for me.

“We were all local lads and that South Tyneside core was important for us, we all got along and felt proud to represent Hebburn.

“Hebburn won the Challenge Cup in 1943 but that was under a different name - for us it meant winning the first ever cup for Hebburn under the guise of Hebburn Town.

“It was the start of something new - we used to get 20 or 30 watching at home games but there was a lot of optimism at the club with the squad we had.”

The Challenge Cup run itself was long overdue for Hebburn.

Their last success was under the name Reyrolles, when they beat Doxford Amateurs in 1943.

That 49-year wait was put to an end as Hebburn claimed an incredible upset over Billingham Synthonia on May 4, 1992 at Murton.

Hebburn’s run in the competition included wins against Eppleton, Ferryhill, Brandon and Sunderland Ryhope.

Billingham were top of Northern League Division One while Hebburn finished fourth in the league below.

The man in between the sticks for Hebburn was Chris Errington - a familiar name to new supporters as he managed the club towards the back end of the 2021/22 campaign.

“I can’t express how much people expected us to lose,” commented the shot-stopper.

“Everyone thought we were there to have a nice day out and get beat.

“In our camp, we went there with a real belief we could upset the odds and create something magic.

“Nothing could replicate what we had in the squad - there were no wages in those days or lads trying to wheel their way into the higher leagues, we played for the love of it.

“When we played Rhyope in the semi-final, that was a harder game than the final because the pressure was on us to win.

“We were getting beat but their goalkeeper got sent off so we pushed on and won the game.

“That meant the weight was off our shoulders in the final against Synthonia - we were quietly confident because our form was very good in the league.

“We won quite a few games going into the final so you could say we had momentum but Synthonia were the biggest force in the Northern League at the time.”

The Hornets lined up how they did for the majority of the season - Chris Pearson and Tatum at the back, Tony Robinson creating a threat from the number 10 role and 52-goal striker Stuart Wright leading the line.

Among that was Greg Bainbridge, Kevin Caizely, Ray Banks and match-winner Paul Tinmouth.

Hebburn, sporting their traditional yellow and black stripes, were behind on 33 minutes after Synthonia's Paul O'Brien found the net with a header.

But two minutes into the second half, Synners striker Richie Allen was sent off for striking Robinson and that fuelled Hebburn's comeback.

The underdogs equalised on 69 minutes as Tinmouth broke from his own half and fed Banks who finished low into the bottom corner.

Seven minutes later, Wright cut the ball back to Tinmouth from the byline who smashed a high effort past the keeper to win the game for Hebburn.

“The victory was a massive surprise as Synthonia were big favourites to win the final,” said Tinmouth who was also named Man of the Match.

"I remember Billingham were down to 10 men thanks to Rocco [Robinson] going down like Richarlison after a light slap in the face!

“Rocco was absolutely top class to play with - what a player - and certainly helped me play my game especially on that amazing pitch.

“We had experienced lads that kept the young ones right and allowed people like Kevin Caizley, Rocco and myself to play with freedom.

“Up front we had Stuart Wright and he gave me many lifts to and from South Shields - he was a prolific, brilliant finisher who I grew up with as a schoolboy from Sunday football to Northern League.

“In short, the team for 12 to 18 months was a joy to play in with great support and friendly advice from the Hebburn Hecklers, who my Uncle John regularly stood amongst to pass on to me their constructive feedback.”

And for Tinmouth, despite having a glistening career with Newcastle United and South Shields, he looks back on his time at Hebburn with standout memories.

“The Challenge Cup win and the whole experience is right up there in my career,” continued the midfielder.

“I joined my hometown team South Shields and we had a similar year in 1995 when winning the Wearside League and taking Spennymoor to a replay in the Durham Challenge Cup Final - unfortunately losing in front of a brilliant crowd at Filtrona.

“I was lucky enough to have a few years at Newcastle as well and play with some top class Hebburn lads - apart from suffering bad injuries we had some great moments winning the Northern Intermediate League and Cup, the Northumberland Senior Cup several times and playing at St James’ Park, Anfield and Old Trafford.

“Hebburn was a brilliant, memorable time though - we quickly gained a reputation for playing great football and challenging more established teams.

“There were amazing people behind the scenes too and that cup victory was an incredible achievement, which is why it’s still mentioned 30 years on.”

The player who was arguably Hebburn's most prized possession was Robinsion, who is now the club's groundsman.

A playmaker coming towards the end of his career, Robinson signed for his hometown club in January 1991 after spells in Finland and Belgium.

He also earned a good reputation in the North East after spells with Boldon, Hartlepool and Newcastle Blue Star.

“I came to Hebburn from Gateshead,” Robinson remembered.

“I was only at Gateshead briefly after joining from my Belgium club, before Vin signed me for a transfer fee.

“We had a really young squad - I was in my thirties but apart from that, everyone was in their early twenties and they had good experience in academy football.

“Murton’s pitch was beautiful and it was a Bank Holiday so the attendance was quite good - the press made a fuss about it because Sunderland were in a cup final as well.

“We were up against it but when Billingham had a man sent off for an altercation with me, that must’ve gave us a lot of confidence.

“They were in the division above at the time and had all the big hitters so we were massive underdogs.

“It was one of my best days in football because it was my hometown club - I could’ve went elsewhere but Vin talked me around and looking back I’m glad I signed for him.”

Thirty-one years on and Hebburn are yet to come close to that underdog story, failing to even reach the final of the competition.

However, that could change as Daniel Moore's side face Spennymoor Town at the Stadium of Light on May 3, 2023.

Spennymoor are currently two leagues above Hebburn but Vin Pearson fully believes that story from the 1991/92 season can be replicated.

“I’m looking forward to it tremendously,” said the club's Chairman.

“I’m happy for everyone involved at the club - the owners, staff, volunteers and supporters.

“There are so many people who work tirelessly for the club and the community - occasions like this are for them.

“It’s a great achievement and something we’ll remember no matter the result on the day.

“We’ve had a brilliant season, with full credit to Bobby [Daniel Moore] and his staff - anything can happen in cup finals and hopefully we can bring that trophy back to Hebburn.”

Thanks to Richard Bainbridge for providing support with historic elements in this article.