Phillips named Mariners boss as Fenton replaced
SUNDERLAND legend Kevin Phillips has been named as new manager of Northern Premier League club South Shields.
The former Black Cats striker was confirmed as successor to former Mariners boss Graham Fenton, who parted company with the club yesterday morning – less than 24 hours after the Mariners moved to within five points of the top of the Premier Division with a 2-0 home win against Radcliffe.
Phillips steps into his first managerial role after gaining coaching experience working at Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City, whom he left in January 2019.
Caretaker manager Wess Brown will remain in charge for the Mariners’ midweek trip to Ashton United but Phillips will oversee training after meeting his new squad later in the week ahead of Saturday’s trip to Warrington Town.
In a statement confirming his appointment, Phillips said: “I’m absolutely delighted to come on board having been given the opportunity to manage South Shields.
“This is my first taste of management so I’m eager to get going and I’m very, very excited.
“I’d like to thank Geoff Thompson for giving me this opportunity. I’m very grateful for it and am looking forward to working with Geoff and everyone connected with the club.
“The club is very ambitious and is an exciting place to be, which is demonstrated by the investment which has been made in the team and the facilities.
“I’m really looking forward to being part of it and hopefully helping the club move forwards.”
Phillips became a cult hero on Wearside after plundering his way to
130 goals in 235 games for the Black Cats and became the only Englishman to claim the European Golden Shoe during the 1999/2000 season.
H e remains a popular figure on Wearside and is relishing the opportunity to get his managerial career under way in an area he knows well. “I’ve never been shy in saying I’d love a crack at management when the right opportunity arose, and Geoff completely sold this club to me,” explained the former England striker.
“The club is in an area I know very well and have a great affection for, and coupled with that it has great ambition and a vision to grow. “I’m licking my lips to be part of it. “I want to win games and be successful, and I hope myself and the players will enjoy the ride together.” Club chairman Geoff Thompson said: “We are incredibly excited about the prospect of Kevin joining us and leading our first team.
“His pedigree, background and experience in the game are substantial and I’m sure he’s going to make a massive impact on the club.”
■ Michael Fowler continued his impressive start to life at Dunston UTS with a stunning hat-trick in their 4-0 NPL East Division home win against Worksop Town.
The former Sunderland academy striker scored twice in the opening 25 minutes to put Chris Swailes’ in complete control at the UTS Stadium.
Fowler completed his hat-trick just before the hour-mark and midfielder Phil Turnbull grabbed a fourth goal in injury time.
Marske United beat Tadcaster Albion 3-2 to maintain the pressure on leaders Liversedge.
Ryan Wombwell marked his Seasiders debut with a goal, and top goalscorer Adam Boyes took centrestage after the restart with a quickfire brace that took his tally for the season to 40 goals.
Hebburn Town were unable to do Marske a favour as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Liversedge.
Stockton Town moved into third place with a 3-1 home win against Lincoln United.