THE ROOF HAS COME OFF AFTER 30 YEARS
JARROW Roofing, one of South Tyneside’s proudest football clubs, is to fold.
Roofers owner Richie McLoughlin brought down the curtain on three decades of football after they were relegated from the Northern League’s toptier.
McLoughlin had been the life and soul of the Roofers and took them from Sunday League side to a staple of the Northern League but took the difficult decision to fold the club last month.
One of the club’s former heroes, Paul Chow, who won the FA Vase three years running with Whitley Bay and had three separate spells with Roofing earlier in his career believes that McLoughlin deserves credit for what he has done for football on South Tyneside.
“It is sad to see what has happened at Roofing,” said the current Hebburn striker. “Richie gave me my Northern League debut 20 years ago and I had three pretty successful spells working for him at the club.
“He never managed to win Northern League titles but he got to the semi-finals of the FA Vase and has had some top players playing for him.
“He had a good go and it’s sad to see him walk away. He has made the decision and he will be a big miss because he has done so much for the area and for his club.”
The Roofers’ demise has put the dampeners on a real buzz south of the Tyne at present.
South Shields continued their rise up the NonLeague pyramid with their Evo-Stik North title win and they look set to be one of the favourites for promotion into the National League North this season.
Chow’s side Hebburn secured promotion into Northern League Division One and have caught the eye with a number of impressive summer signings including former Darlington and Gateshead striker Graeme Armstrong.
Jarrow FC have just completed their first ever season at Step 6 with a solid mid-table position in Northern League Division Two.
“With South Shields getting three promotions on the bounce, Hebburn promoted and Jarrow FC having a great first season, it’s a great time for the area” Chow added.