SuperKev hoping to have home advantage with new-look squad
Kevin Phillips has expressed his excitement as a new-look South Shields kick-off their bid for promotion on Saturday.
Phillips begins his first full season as the club’s manager with a home game against Stalybridge Celtic and is hoping a bumper crowd will be behind the Mariners.
Shields were denied promotion in agonising fashion last term, losing out on penalties in the semi-final of the Northern Premier League play-offs.
After a promising preseason which saw Phillips given the opportunity to work extensively with a revamped squad featuring eight new signings, there is confidence in the Shields camp heading into the campaign.
Phillips said: “We got lots of good work in during preseason and now we’re hugely excited about the start of the league campaign.
“The build-up to the first game is always a bit of an anxious time, regardless of whether you’ve had positive or negative results in friendlies.
"But fortunately we put a good run of results together and made good progress in terms of fitness, performances and the integration of new players into the squad.
“It was a very good preseason, but the league campaign is totally different.
“It’s important to get off to a good start and with that in mind, we’re delighted to be at home for the first game.
“Our home record was positive last season and we continued that in pre-season.
"Our goal is to make 1st Cloud Arena a fortress again.”
In seeking a positive home record, Phillips has
stressed the importance of the club’s supporters.
He added: “The support we received last season was magnificent and blew me away.
“I would urge our fans to turn up in their droves again this season, get right behind the team and make our ground an uncomfortable place to come for away sides.
“Teams will try to spoil the party and take points from us, starting with Stalybridge, who will provide a tough test.
“We’ll give them the respect they deserve, but with a bumper crowd behind us, we’ll be desperate to send them home happy.
“There’s no guarantee every game this season is going to be pretty with freeflowing football, but I can guarantee the players will work their socks off every week and give 100% for the cause.”
Shields go into the opening fixture without Lewis Alessandra, who is nursing a calf injury which he sustained in his first training session after joining the club last Friday.
A swift recovery is expected for the frontman.
The Mariners also have JJ Hooper, Cedric Main, Dillon Morse and Callum Ross unavailable for the 3pm kick-off at 1st Cloud Arena. Tickets for the match cost from £12 for adults, £9 for concessions, £5 for those aged 12 to 16 and £3 for under-12s. Supporters can purchase a ticket in advance or pay at the turnstiles, open at 12.30pm.