Ex-cat Hunter in three-year Mariners deal

FORMER Sunderland defender Jordan Hunter has set his sights on reaching the Football League after joining South Shields on a permanent basis.

The full-back turned down the offer of a one-year deal with an option of a further year to put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the Northern Premier League club.

Hunter enjoyed a productive loan spell at Mariners Park last season as he helped Graham Fenton and Lee Picton’s side challenge for promotion at the top end of the Premier Division.

The Mariners moved 12 points clear at the top of the table with a 5-3 win against second placed FC United of Manchester in their final match before the coronavirus epidemic curtailed the season.

However, an FA decision to null and void all results denied them a chance to secure promotion into the National League North and take another step towards their target of reaching the Football League. After he completed a permanent move to the club, Hunter insisted that he can reach the EFL with the Mariners after struggling to make a breakthrough into the senior setup at Sunderland.

He told The Sunday Sun: “As a young player, I aspire to be in the Football League.

“I do feel South Shields can get there and I believe I can get there with them.

“That is where I want to play my football, and with the ambition shown by Geoff Thompson (South Shields chairman) and the club as a whole, I see no reason why we can’t.

“The club have offered me a three-year deal, and that backed up what they were saying about their confidence in my ability.

“They have faith and confidence in me, and I am really determined to help them challenge again next season.

“We all know what happened last season and it was unfortunate – but hopefully we can make up for lost time.”