SHOCK AS KEV QUITS MARINERS

KEVIN Phillips has stunned South Shields after quitting as manager just a week after leading them to the NPL Premier title.

The former Sunderland and England striker revealed the shock news to the players in the aftermath of the Mariners’ final game of a historic season at Stafford Rangers yesterday.

In a statement, the 1st Cloud Arena club stressed Phillips had departed “on extremely good terms” and chairman Geoff Thompson admitted the parting of ways had been “a difficult decision to come to”.

“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,” Thompson said.

“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 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.”

Phillips’ departure comes less than a week after his side were crowned as NPL champions to secure a long-awaited progression to Step 2 – their fourth promotion in eight seasons.

In delivering success in his first and only full season in charge at the north-east club, Phillips has met the key target he was set when he succeeded Graham Fenton in January 2022.

Phillips’ availability will no doubt alert the attentions of a number of Football League clubs, but the former Watford ace insists he will always hold the Mariners close to his heart.

He explained: “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.”