Nickname(s) The Mariners Chairman Geoff Thompson Founded 1974 | Ground Capacity 3,500 Manager Graham Fenton | |
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Full name South Shields Football Club Ground Mariners Park, South Shields 2015–16 Northern League Division Two, 1st (promoted) League Northern Football League Division One Profiles | ||
South Shields Football Club is a football club based in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England. The third club of this name, it was formed in 1974 and plays its home matches at Mariners Park, formerly known as Filtrona Park. It currently plays in Northern League Division One.
Contents
History
The club was formed in the same year as the previous club failed, after a second move to Gateshead by the previous club, and the sale of Simonside Hall, given to the club by supporters. The re-formed club under chairman Martin Ford was based at the council's Jack Clark Park, and began a 17-year crusade for a home of its own.
After two title winning seasons in the Northern Alliance, and an appearance in the quarter-finals of the FA Vase, Shields joined the Wearside League. Ultimately, chairman John Rundle and his family provided the long wished-for new ground at Filtrona Park, which was re-developed and first used by the club in 1992.
In 1994–95 the club won the Wearside League for the second time in three years, and were promoted to Northern League Division Two. It was promoted again to Northern League Division One the following season, but relegated back to Division Two in 1999–00. Chairman John Rundle publicly threatened to fold the club if they went down, though he did not follow the threat through.
After several seasons in Division Two, John Rundle again threatened the club with closure in 2006, locking the gates at Filtrona Park before a home game. However, a new committee was formed, headed by chairman Gary Crutwell, and the club was saved. The club's performance then improved, and a fourth-place finish in 2007 was followed by promotion in 2008 back into Division One. In 2010, the club won the Northern League Cup, beating Ashington 6–5 on penalties after a 2–2 draw.
In the 2012–13 season, South Shields F.C. was relegated from Northern League Division One before being forced to move to Eden Lane, in Peterlee, after its lease on Filtrona Park expired.
The club spent the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons in Division Two of the Northern League, where they played again in 2015–16.
However, they are back at Filtrona Park - now renamed Mariners Park - after being taken over by new chairman Geoff Thompson. Among their current players are the former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca, and ex-Hartlepool United forward David Foley.
Arca and Foley formed part of a Shields team which went on to win the 2015–16 Northern League Division Two title, in doing so securing promotion to Division One.
In October 2016, South Shields appointed former Sunderland defender Martin Scott as assistant manager.
As of 22/3/17 South Shields are 2nd in the league, into the final of the DCC, and into the final of the league cup having embarked on a record 26 game winning run. They beat Coleshill Town 1-2 in the away leg of their FA Vase Semi-Final tie and beat them 4-0 in the second leg advancing to the final at Wembley. Hopes are growing of a historic quadruple. At this point a top 3 place is looking likely which would guarantee South Shields a place in the Evo Stick division 1 North for next season.
Stadium
The club played at Filtrona Park, in Shaftesbury Avenue, Jarrow NE32 3UP, between 1992 and 2013 For the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons, South Shields played at Eden Lane, Peterlee after being evicted from Filtrona Park. In May 2015, the club secured a return to Filtrona Park - which was renamed Mariners Park - after new chairman Geoff Thompson bought the facility. On 10 October 2015, the ground had its biggest attendance for over 20 years by gathering a crowd of 1,045 for the Mariners' game against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion FC. The home side were victorious 4–0. Incredibly, two weeks later that figure was beaten again as a crowd of 1,115 packed into Mariners Park to watch Shields defeat Thornaby 4–3. On 14 November 2015, a new record crowd of 1,412 packed into Mariners Park to witness a 9–1 drubbing of Tow Law, the biggest victory of the 2015-16 season. The current record attendance is when 3,464 witnessed the Mariners beat Coleshill Town in the semi finals of the FA Vase. For the 2016-17 season, the club added three new stands to the stadium, which house up to 800 people. A new 3G pitch was also built to the northwest of the main pitch, this will be used by the first team along with youth and local teams to train on and hire. This is a very positive sign of progression by the club and will raise matchday capacity as the club look to gain a second successive promotion from the Northern League.
Playing squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.