The town's football supporters were outraged that a club with such a rich heritage and promise would fold due to lack of interest from sponsors.

But now, with a new chairman and new manager, the club is revitalised, and is preparing for life in the Arngrove Northern League Division One after being promoted.

Gary Crutwell became chairman in February 2006, when he took over from John Rundle, and the 44-year-old hasn't looked back since.

It's fair to say Gary is not your stereotypical football club chairman.

When you think of football club owners, you think of men in pinstripe suits, eating prawn sandwiches and negotiating multi-million pound deals.

But Gary likes to be involved, and is not afraid of getting his hands dirty.

"I do anything and everything," he said, explaining his role.

"People don't realise how much work goes into running a club. Apart from the normal stuff chairmen do, I'm helping cut the grass, paint the lines, and put the nets up."

Gary and his team of eight committee members make sure the team and the management have the right resources to win games.

One of the main objectives of the committee, of course, is making sure the club has money.

He and his team are preparing to go out to local businesses over the summer months, looking for sponsorship for next season in Division One.

The father-of-three, from South Shields, added: "It's a constant struggle trying to get money in, because you always need more.

"It's the same at this level as it is at the top – the clubs with the most money have the best facilities and the best players, it's no coincidence.

"There's no point in being involved in football if you don't want to progress and move forward, and you need money to do that.

"It's the sponsors that keep the place going, and I'd like to say a huge thank you to them."

Apart from finances, the other main job for Gary and his committee is the maintenance of Filtrona Park, the club's home.

The wagon driver visits the ground nearly every evening after he finishes work to take care of the clubhouse and the pitch.

He even takes the strips home for his wife to wash!

"She's got two big washing machines in the house, and they're never off," he said with a wry grin.

Gary is a popular figure with the manager, the team and the fans, and he describes South Shields FC as a "happy camp" this season.

"I just let the manager and the players get on with their job, and they let me get on with mine. I try not to interfere.

"We've got no intention of just going through the motions next season.

"We want to do well and progress, and hopefully in a few more years we'll be pushing for the Unibond League."

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