Civic honour for South Shields FC

South Shields players and staff were guests of honour at a special civic reception to mark the club being crowned champions of the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

The club was welcomed to South Shields Town Hall, where it was congratulated on its success by the Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Pat Hay.

She said: “We are thrilled for the club’s victory in the Northern Premier League and were delighted to welcome the team to South Shields Town Hall to celebrate this achievement.

“Being promoted is not only fantastic for the club but is a great moment for the town and for South Tyneside. I’ve no doubt that fans and supporters will be just as excited.

“I’d like to offer my congratulations to all those at South Shields Football Club on an amazing season.

"The club continues to make us all so proud, and we wish it the best of luck in the future.”

The Mariners are now looking forward to competing in National League North, which is the part of the sixth tier of the English football pyramid.

SSFC chairman Geoff Thompson said: “I am delighted that we have finally got there and into National League North.

“Everyone talks about the season when we won the FA Vase, Northern League, the Northern League Cup and the Durham Challenge Cup, and that season was a landmark moment for the football club.

"But getting out of the Northern Premier League is another because it’s been such a tough journey.

“It’s fantastic for us to be heading where we are heading, and I look forward to the challenges that lie in wait for us.

"We believe we are well-placed and well-equipped to deal with the step up to National League North and there is no doubt it is an exciting prospect for us all.

“It will be an exciting season and I’m sure our supporters will continue to back the club at home and away because we need them fully behind us to compete at the level we will be at.

“We are hugely appreciative of the support we receive from the whole of the South Tyneside community and our progress would not be possible without this backing.”

Image courtesy of TIM RICHARDSON/SOUTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL.

Image caption: From left to right, the Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Pat Hay, with South Shields captain Blair Adams, Mariners manager Kevin Phillips and the Mayoress of South Tyneside, Councillor Jean Copp.