South Shields Football Club, nicknamed “The Mariners,” is a non-league football club based in Jarrow, Durham.
Established in 1970, they currently compete in the Vanarama National League North, which is part of the sixth tier of English football. The team calls Mariners Park their home ground.
History
South Shields Football Club’s history is a story of resilience and reformation. Tracing back to the 1870s, the club has experienced both triumph and turmoil. The first ‘real’ club, South Shields Athletic AFC, was formed in 1897 but disbanded in 1902 due to financial issues. The club saw success in various local leagues and had a brief stint in the Football League from 1919. However, financial difficulties led to its relocation to Gateshead in 1930.
Reformed in 1936, South Shields faced numerous challenges, including the loss of their ground and a period of exile in Peterlee. Revived by new chairman Geoff Thompson in 2015, the club has since achieved significant success, including winning the FA Vase at Wembley and multiple league titles, while transitioning to a full-time training model under the management of Graham Fenton and later Kevin Phillips.
Alumni
Former players and managers elsewhere in the non-league pyramid