PICTON: WE WILL KEEP ON RISING

THESE are exciting times for South Shields. It’s only three years since the Mariners were sat in the Ebac Northern League’s second-tier, playing in front of crowds of under 30 at a ground 14 miles away from home.

All that changed when local businessman Geoff Thompson took control of the club. Fast forward to this week and the Mariners can look back on a period of progress as they claimed three promotions, two titles with another one drawing ever closer, and another three trophies to throw into the mix.

Their latest promotion will see them move into the Evo-Stik Premier Division, just three promotions away from bringing Football League action to South Tyneside.

Joint-manager Lee Picton is only too aware of just how far the club has come in such a short space of time. Speaking after their midweek win over Glossop North End, he said “We have developed a culture that we are really proud of here. It’s about hard work, togetherness and pulling in the same direction.

“It has been and will continue to be a fantastic journey. Geoff Thompson has set out a vision to all of us and there has been a huge amount of work go in so far. But it is just the start and I think the potential at this football club is enormous”

How far that potential can take them is open to question and Picton admitted it is a tough one to answer. However the former Whitley Bay defender insisted the Mariners will continue to set the bar high: “The Evo-Stik Premier is a tough division and there are some top teams and the next level up from that is full of big-name clubs with long histories full of success.

“We will set our vision high and we will aim to get there, but it is going to be a tough challenge”

An ongoing theme of the last three years has been the remarkable increase in support. Just under 1,500 supporters packed out Mariners Park for the win over Glossop North End and Picton is keen to keep giving the Mariners’ faithful good reasons to return.

“There isn’t a club without the supporters. The fans have been unbelievable and we hope to reward them with more progress.”