The 2021/22 season ended in frustration for SOUTH SHIELDS FC who finished in second place of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and then lost out to Warrington Town, who had finished in 5th place, in the play-off semi-final.
The club have made numerous improvements to their Mariners Park (currently known as 1st Cloud Arena) home in recent years and also announced that their first team would be working on a full time training model from the the start of the 2021/22 season which was a bold move for a Step Three club.
Former England International Kevin Phillips was appointed manager in January who is well known in the local area due to his successful spell with Sunderland from 1997 to 2003. He replaced Graham Fenton who had been in charge since 2016 and had overseen their promotion from The Northern League Division One to their current step 3 level as well as winning the 2017 FA Vase at Wembley.
They have already made a number of impressive signings so will be considered favourites for the Northern Premier League Premier Division title for the 2022/23 season - the pressure will be on Kevin Phillips, his coaching staff and the players to finish top!
Lets take a look at their summer signings so far -
MICHAEL WOODS joins from York City who he helped with promotion from The Vanarama North to The National League. The Midfielder, 32, has also played for Dover Athletic, Harrogate Town, Hartlepool United, Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil Towna and came through the ranks at the Chelsea and Leeds United academies.
MARTIN SMITH is also a midfielder and joins from League Two side Hartlepool United. The 26 year old came through the ranks at Sunderland and was a full time pro with The Black Cats from 2014 to 2016 but didn't break through to the first team spending time on loan with Gateshead and Carlisle United. He had since played for Kilmarnock, Colraine, Swindon Town, Salford City, Chorley and Chesterfield.
MacKENZIE HEANEY who is an attacking midfielder joins from York City. The 23 year old is a product of the Newcastle United academy but dropped down to non-league football playing for Newcastle Benfield, West Auckland Town, Whitby Town and in Iceland second tier side UMF Grindavik. He signed with The Minstermen last summer and made 20 appearances before joining Buxton on loan whom he helped to the NPL Premier title playing against South Shields in February.
GARY LIDDLE has also agreed to join the club from League Two side Hartlepool United. The 35 year old centre back who can also play in midfield has 572 football league appearances to his name playing for Hartlepool United, Notts County, Bradford City, Chesterfield, Carlisle United and Walsall. He began his career with Middlesbrough.
The Mariners start their pre-season friendly campaign on Saturday 9th July with a trip North of the Border to face Lowland League side Berwick Rangers.
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