South Shields v Darlington

Monday 2nd January 2023, 1pm
Vanarama National League North

 

South Shields FC: 1st Cloud Arena, Shaftesbury Avenue, South Shields NE32 3UP. Twitter: @SouthShieldsFC History: South Shields Athletic AFC was formed in 1897 although football was played in the area before that. Before World War One, the club had record-breaking success in the North Eastern League. The club was elected to the Football League - Division Two - after the war and finished sixth in 1922. Shields also progressed in the FA Cup, losing in the fifth round in 1926 to eventual winners Bolton Wanderers. Financial problems led to the club being wound up before a new club was formed in 1936, finding itself back in the North Eastern League again. In 1947, Chris Marron scored 10 Shields goals in a 13-0 FA Cup preliminary tie victory. At the end of the 1950s, Shields joined the Midland Counties League but found themselves in different leagues through the 1960s, culminating in an offer to join the new Northern Premier League. A calamatous loss of its ground led to the club disbanding again and South Shields Mariners FC eventually forming and bouncing back in the Northern Alliance and Wearside Leagues, although it took a while to find a ground to develop, settling on Filtrona Park. The club's future was still in jeopardy and it faced moving away until the ground was finally bought. 2015 marked a new chapter of success for the club following much needed stability, with the Northern League Division Two and Northern League titles and culminating in the FA Vase win at Wembley in 2017, with a 4-0 win over Cleethorpes. FA Cup scalps included beating Darlington 3-0 at Blackwell Meadows earlier in that season. Former Sunderland, Aston Villa and England striker Kevin Phillips took over as manager in 2022 and won promotion from the NPL Premier Division, although he has since been replaced by ex-Sunderland star, Argentinian Julio Arca. Record attendance: 3,800 v. Forest Green Rovers, 2022, FA Cup 1st round Capacity: 4,000 Last season: 1st (NPL champions) Honours: Northern League premier champions 2022-23, Div 1 North champions 2018; FA Vase winners 2017; Northerm League champions 2016–17, Div 2 champions 2015-16. Wearside League champions 1976–77, 1992–93, 1994–95 and North East Alliance champions 1974–75 and 1975–76 Record victory: 14–0 v Murton Colliery Welfare, 1984–85 Defeat: 0–11 v Shildon, 2012–13, Northern League Division One Nickname: The Mariners Colours: Claret and blue Manager: Julio Arca Chairman: Geoff Thompson Admission prices 2023/24 Details to be confirmed.	From the North (A1): (From Darlington - 36 miles, approx 45 mins) Head north on the A1 and take the A194 (M) north at Black Fell. Follow the main road through Monkton until passing Tesco and then turning left after Macdonalds into Shaftsbury Avenue and to the stadium. Parking is available on Shaftesbury Avenue, as well as the overflow car park at the nearby Barbour store. Darlington FC Supporters' Club Coach Contact: Darlington FC Supporters Group, call 01325 250531 or 07951 434731 to book a seat. Details to follow. Details of the supporters' group travel can be found here. Richmond Taxis 0191 4553131 Westoe Taxis 0191 455 55 55	The ground is within walking distance of Bede Metro Station. Turn right at the station. At the next junction you come to, turn right, and there is then a short walk along Shaftesbury Avenue to reach the ground. You can get a train towards Bede and South Shields from the Metro stop at Newcastle Central Station. Local bus services operate to Simonside and the surrounding areas, which are again within walking distance of 1st Cloud Arena The official site is pretty basic. The Shields Gazette South Shields Tourist Information Visit South Tyneside
Pubs near ground/town centre: Alum Ale House, Ferry Street South Shields, NE33 1JRS This riverside pub promises 12 hand-pulls with a variety of real ales plus keg beers, ciders and a vast array of spirits. The Steamboat, 27 Mill Dam, South Shields NE33 1EQ A regular CAMRA award winner, promising nine changing cask ales and ciders. The Marine, 230 Ocean Rd, South Shields NE33 2JQ Eight cask handpulls promised here, plus pub food. Close to the beach. Newcastle pubs: Crown Posada, 31 The Side, Newcastle, NE1 3JE On a road that weaves down to the Quayside from the centre of town. Ted says that in his time there in the 80s, this Victorian Grade II listed pub served Taylors Landlord and toasted curry sandwiches (albeit with sultanas in the curry!). Today the toasties are no longer on offer but the beer is still good and the food is now stotties with basic fillings. The wide beer choice on a last visit included a local Wylam ale, Mordue Workie Ticket, Black Sheep, Jarrow plus a couple from Hadrian and Border - Gladiator Bitter and the curiously named Are You Listening Gordon Heal? The Newcastle Arms, 57 St Andrews Street, NE1 5SE This is a friendly pub with a large real ale range, with usually a dozen beers to choose from. Popular with CAMRA members. The pub doesn't serve food, but you're welcome to bring your own. It's close to St James' Park in the city centre, so can get busy when Toon are at home. The Mean Eyed Cat, 1 St Thomas Street If spending some time in the city, this is a small chalet-like craft ale microbar in the heart of the city centre, with more than a dozen beers to choose from. A short walk from the Haymarket Metro and over the road from the bus station. The Free Trade Inn, St Lawrence Road, NE6 1AP This is a cracking pub which overlooks the quayside. Great beer choice. It's about half an hour's walk the other side of the Tyne from the stadium. Open 11am.	Hot food and refreshments will be available inside the stadium.