Ticket Prices

Following on from the news of increases in ticket prices to watch the regions Premier League teams, the management of promotion winning South Shields Football Club are delighted to announce that they will be maintaining the gate fee at the same level as last season.

The club have also set the season ticket prices at £70, which can be discounted by a further 10% to £63 by joining South Shields Football Club Supporters Association, and this brings the cost of watching the Mariners play in the Arngrove Northern League Division 1 down to £3 per game.

The announcement was met with enthusiasm by supporters and Mick Viney, a member of the supporters club said 'This decision is in the face of massive pressure to increase the budget to fund a successful 1st division team, something we as supporters also want, but the club however have resisted this increase and with the discount for members of the supporters club, this brings the cost of watching your club down to only £3 per game, and with many 1st division clubs charging £5 per game I think this is a tremendous gesture and excellent value. If you intend to get to most games, and if you can afford it I urge you to help your club by buying a season ticket.'

For more information on this seasons fixtures or if you are interested in purchasing a season ticket please contact the Club on 0191 4279839 or by e-mailing info@southshieldsfc.co.uk.

2008/09 Squad

South Shields Footall Club have signalled their intent for the current season by re-signing the entire squad from last season's promotion winning team and with new faces expected, boss Gary Steadman will be hoping to achieve a strong league position as he again signs up the best in local talent.

The final players from last seasons squad signed up for next season at the weekend with Club Captain and Player of the Year Lee Paul Scroggins, influential defender Duncan O'Brien and the creative Chris Feasey all commiting to the Filtrona Park club. And with popular players such as top scorer Mark Johnson, Simon Fitzpatrick, Willie Crew and former Sunderland star Craig Russell also back next season, hopes are high that the club can make a real impact on the top league next season.

Manager Gary Steadman is also looking to add new faces to the squad before pre-season training gets under way later this month, with further announcements expected in the next fortnight. But with the squad now signed up for the challenge next season, Steadman will enjoy his well earned break.

Club Secetary Philip Reay said 'It was always our number one priority to ensure that we kept the team, who played so magnificently all last season, for our Division 1 campaign and we are delighted that all the players were all so enthusiastic to remain at the club.'

The club are also finalising their pre-season friendly line up, with confirmation of the ties due by the weekend.

Annual Presentation

South Shields Football Club held their annual presentation on Friday Night at Filtrona Park with captain Lee Paul Scroggins taking home three awards.

Scroggins, from South Shields, has been the backbone of the side which clinched promotion to Division One of the Northern League and the influential midfielder clinched the Supporters Player of the year, voted for by the 100 member strong Supporters Association, the Players player of the year, voted for by his fellow team mates, and finally the Dick Butler Trophy, voted for by the management committee. Mr Nigel Binnie of Northern Threads was in attendance to present the awards to Scroggins.

Club Secretary Philip Reay said 'Lee Paul has again shown what a superb player he is, consistenly playing at a high level over a challenging season. He has led the team by example and we are all delighted this has been acknowledged at the annual presentation, not only by the committee, but by the players and the supporters."

Young player of the year went to outstanding right back James Parkinson, who has made the position his own this season.

The presentation, attended by a strong following of supporters, players, staff and management were also a celebration for the progress the club has made, on and off the pitch this season.

Chairman Gary Crutwell added 'We are delighted at the progress the club has made this season, and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved at the club, the players, coaches, committee, supporters and our amazing sponsors who have supported us fantastically in 2007 / 2008.'

Picture attached - Left to Right - Club Secretary Philip Reay, Captain Lee Paul Scroggins and Mr Nigel Binnie of Northern Threads.

PROMOTED!

A record crowd for the season of 375 witnessed South Shields final home game of the season as they clinched promotion to the Arngrove Northern League Division 1 with a hard fought 1 - 0 victory over Sunderland RCA.

Supporters of the Mariners were finally able to celebrate the promotion the whole club had been desperate for since the disappointment of missing out last season, and a party atmosphere was to be had at Filtrona Park on the final whistle.

The first opportunity of the game fell to Sunderland RCA when giant striker Andy Jennings had a shot at goal, but Simon Parkin in the Shields goal was able to catch with ease.

RCA again came close on twelve minutes when Lee Owens curled a thirty yard shot just wide of the Shields goal.

Both sides created very few chances as they battled from domination.

Shields best chance came on the stroke of half time when a floated cross fell to Mark Johnson, who was unable to connect and the ball went out for a goal kick.

The second half began with Mark Johnson going close on four minutes, but his attempt was tipped round the post for a corner. The resulting corner fell to Simon Fitzpatrick, who struck a low 30 yard drive that was well held by Minniss in the Sunderland goal.

Sunderland RCA began to put some pressure on the Shields goal, with Andy Jennings looking a constant threat in the air to the Shields defence.

But on 75 minutes Shields got the goal they had been desperate for when top scorer Mark Johnson was through on goal and fired the ball past Minniss, to lift the roof from the Mariners Stand at Filtrona Park.

Shields kept up the pressure for the final fifteen minutes as they looked to extend the lead and put the game beyond any doubt, but they score remained 1 - 0 and the home side picked up all three points.

Shields travel to Darlington RA on Friday night as they look to move up to the Division 1 as Champions of the Arngrove Northern League Division 2.

South Shields FC Lineup:
Simon Parkin, Graham Irving, Craig Russell, James Oates, Duncan O'Brien, Simon Fitzpatrick (Marc Brocklehurst 75), Lee O'Donovan, Lee Paul Scroggins, Mark Johnson, Jonny Wightman (Willie Crew 70), Chris Feasey.

Subs: Willie Crew, Marc Brocklehurst, Michael Rodenby, David Scorer, David Graham.

Sunderland RCA Lineup:
Jon Minniss, Paul Stout, Ash Davis, Wayne Henderson, Paul Wardle, Scott Richards, Lee Owens, Paul Sammons, Andy Jennings, Gary Shields (Jon Dewton 70), David Wells (Adam McGuiness 66).

Subs: Adam McGuiness, Jon Newton, Anth Laidler, Andy Middleton, Craig Shields.

South Shields 0 v 2 Norton & Stockton

South Shields were unable to win the one point required to confirm promotion to Division 1 of the Arngrove Northern League, as the were defeated 2-0 by Norton & Stockton Ancients in front of a strong crowd of 250 at Filtrona Park.

The Mariners kept faith with the team that defeated Penrith in a thrilling 2-1 away victory last week, and Shields started the brighter making the first opportunity of the game on two minutes when a Chris Feasey cross found the head of Jonny Wightman, but his attempt went wide of the goal.

Norton had their first chance on eight minutes when Michael Dunwell had a shot at goal, which was well held by Simon Parkin.

But Shields kept the pressure on and captain Lee Paul Scroggins had an attempt from 25 yards which went over the bar.

On fifteen minutes Shields won a corner taken by Wightman, which found David Scorer who had a shot that was blocked by the Norton defence.

Wightman and Johnson had further chances to put the home side ahead but they were unable to break down the Norton & Stockton defence.

With half an hour gone Norton and Stockton began to put their own mark on the game with Dunwell shooting wide after an excellent build up.

Norton made the pressure count on 35 minutes when a corner came back out to Ian Clark who hit the ball sweetly first time on the half volley from 30 yards to beat Simon Parkin and make it 1 - 0 to the away side.

It was 2 - 0 six minutes later when a failed clearance by Graham Irving fell to Craig Lake who shot from 25 yards to beat Simon Parkin twice within the space of five minutes to make it 2 - 0 to Norton.

The second half started with Norton & Stockton maintaing the level of pressure, and Thomas Winspear had the best attempt to make it 3 - 0 when he found himself through on goal, but a superb save by Parkin in the Shields goal sent the ball for a corner.

And Winspear had another great chance to further extend the Norton & Stockton lead, but Simon Parkin made a superb stop to keep the Mariners in the game.

Lee O'Donovan and Marc Brocklehurst both had chances to claw Shieds back into the game, but both attempts were wide of the target.

Another great save by Shields goalkeeper Simon Parkin prevented Nathan Mulligan from scoring what appeared a clear chance to score.

Shields best chance of the game cam on 89 minutes when a superb run by Chris Feasey found Lee O'Donovan, but his shot from 12 yards was superbly saved by James Briggs in the Norton & Stockton goal.

South Shields will have another chance to confirm promotion on Tuesday night when they entertain fellow promotion hopefuls Sunderland RCA at Filtrona Park.

South Shields FC Lineup:
Simon Parkin, Graham Irving, Michael Rodenby, Duncan O'Brien, David Scorer (Lee O'Donovan 55), James Oates, Jonny Wightman (Marc Brocklehurst 64), Lee Paul Scroggins, Willie Crew (David Graham 60), Mark Johnson, Chris Feasey.

Penrith 1 v 2 South Shields

South Shields maintained their position at the top of the Arngrove Northern League Division 2 and all but secured promotion to division 1 with a 2-1 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Penrith, with Shields again providing a strong travelling support.

The Mariners created the opening chance on 10 minutes when Chris Feasey and Mark Johnson combined to create an opening for Jonny Wightman whose shot from the angle of the box was well saved by James Holland in the Penrith goal.

Willie Crew went close when he was put through by Jonny Wightman but his lob went over the bar.

Shields made the pressure count on 22 minutes when a corner on the right was floated into the box by Wightman, the ball fell to Mark Johnson who made no mistake from close range to put the league leaders into a 1-0 lead.

Shields dominated the game and had further chances through Rodenby, Oates and Crew to double the lead, but they were unable to keep their attempts on target.

With the first half coming to an end Penrith had their best opportunity when a shot from Ryan Errington was headed of the line by David Scorer, leaving Shields to go into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Penrith started the briighter and on the hour Barry Irving's shot was blocked by Chris Feasey for a corner, and Shields player of the month for March Simon Parkin tipped ball over bar for a second corner which was cleared by the Shields defence.

Penrith came straight back and Paul Pattinson fired a shot towards goal from the edge of the box which was again well saved by Parkin.

Penrith continued to press for an equalising goal and both Ryan Errington and Mattthew Lea both fired over the Shields bar.

Penrith eventually put the ball in the back of the Shields goal on 73 minutes when Barry Irving fired past Parkin only to be denied by the offside flag, and Shields added further misery as a swift attack saw the Mariners extend their advantage.

Jonny Wightman collected the ball on the right of the field and struck a superb shot into the top corner of the goal giving the keeper James Holland no chance at all. The goal was Wightmans first for the club since his signing from Chester le Street and it was recognised as arguably the finest goal seen at Penrith this season.

Penrith's responsed quickly winning a corner from the restart and Derek Townsley rose above the defence to head home for 2-1.

Mark Johnson, Jonny Wightman and Chris Feasey had further chances to extend the lead for Shields but the score remained 2-1.

South Shields next play Norton and Stockton at Filtrona Park on Saturday when they will hope to pick up the 1 point needed to guarantee promotion.

South Shields FC Lineup:
Simon Parkin, Graham Irving, Michael Rodenby, Duncan O'Brien, David Scorer, Jame Oates, Jonny Wightman, Lee Paul Scroggins, Willie Crew (David Graham 81), Mark Johnson (Dean Patton 78), Chris Feasey (Marc Brocklehurst 83).

Guisborough Town 0 v 4 South Shields FC

South Shields travelled to Guisborough Town on Saturday in the Arngrove Northern League Division Two, hoping to put the defeat at Markse last week behind them and get their promotion bid back on track.

Shields started the brighter of the two teams, and had their first chance on 14 minutes when the Shields captain Lee Paul Scroggins picked up the ball in midfield and had an attempt at goal that was saved by Simon Bishop in the Guisborough goal,

And it was not long before the away side had taken the lead when Willie Crew and Mark Johnson played a one two and Johnson fired the ball underneath Bishop.

Shields pushed for a second with Willie Crew, Duncan O'Brien and Chris Feasey all having attempts at goal.

And the second goal did arrive before half time when Mark Johnson found himself through on goal, rounded Bishop, but his shot was saved by the hand of Guisborough defender Nicholas Mohan which gifted Shields a penalty and resulted in a red card for Mohan to leave Guisborough with 10 men for the remainder of the game.

Lee Paul Scroggins, fully recovered from the illness that resulted in his substitution at Marske last week, cooly slotted away the resulting penalty and sent the Mariners into a 2 - 0 lead, and looking comfortable going into the half time break.

Shields continued their dominance in the second half and made it 3 - 0 on 55 minutes when Chris Feasey found Willie Crew unmarked in the box, and the former Horden striker fired the ball past Bishop to put the game out of reach for Guisborough.

The posession remained with South Shields and the introductions of Dean Patton and Lee O'Donovan added further strength to the forward line.

Shields almost made it four when a deflected cross came back off the Guisborough cross bar, but it was not long before he was again picking the ball from the back of the net.

On 78 minutes Chris Feasey finished off some excellent Shields pressure to shoot the ball under Bishop in the Guisborough goal to secure the win for South Shields and mark his return to the starting lineup with a goal.

Shields next play Esh Winning at Filtrona Park on Saturday, when they will hope to secure another vital win towards securing promotion to Division 1.

South Shields FC Lineup:
Simon Parkin, James Parkinson, Michael Rodenby, Duncan O'Brien, James Oates, Simon Fitzpatrick, Jonny Wightman, Lee Paul Scroggins, Chris Feasey (Marc Brocklehurst 78), Willie Crew (Lee O'Donovan 70), Mark Johnson (Dean Patton 60).