Phillips leaving Mariners after bringing title win
SOUTH Shields chairman Geoff Thompson paid tribute to Kevin Phillips after the Sunderland legend left his role as Mariners manager less than a week after leading the club to the Northern Premier League title.
Phillips brought down the curtain on his 15-month reign at the 1st Cloud Arena on Saturday after the news of his departure was confirmed in the aftermath of his side’s 3-0 defeat at Stafford Rangers.
The news will come as a shock after the former England striker enjoyed a hugely successful first and now only full season in charge of the club by leading the Mariners to the Northern Premier League title and into the first round of the FA Cup.
However, a new manager will take charge for a historic season in the National League North after Thompson and Phillips agreed to part ways on what the club described as ‘extremely good terms.’
Mariners supremo Thompson explained the way forward for the club and revealed his admiration for the progression made under Phillips’ managerial reign.
“This has been a very difficult decision to come to, particularly given the successful season we have just enjoyed.
“We are hugely grateful to Kevin for his work over the last 15 months and the role he has played in delivering a promotion we have been striving for since 2018.
“He will always hold a special place in our history and we wish him nothing but success in his career. “I can reassure supporters that our ambition remains strong and, if our fans and sponsors continue to back us in the way they have this season, we are confident in our ability to be extremely competitive in National League North next season.
“It is vital that we remain realistic when it
He (Phillips) will
always hold a special place in our history and we wish
him nothing but success in his career
Geoff Thompson
comes to setting budgets and utilising the best talents which are produced by our Academy, though, and that will be an important part of our strategy moving forward.”
After being the surprise choice to replace former manager Graham Fenton in January 2022, Phillips was unable to secure promotion during this first few months in charge after his side suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat in a Premier Division play-off semi-final against Warrington Town.
But after putting his own print on his squad last summer, promotion was secured with a narrow win at Whitby Town last month - and the former Sunderland hopes his successor can lead the club to further success in the future.
“There are lots of different factors behind this mutual decision, but I’d like to place on record my thanks to everyone connected to the club and I wish whoever comes in next all the success in the world.
“I was brought here to do a job and I did it, and although I’d have loved to have taken it further, circumstances have changed and I’ll be supporting the club in the next phase of its journey from afar.”