Jarrow Roofing fold after 35 years as Richie McLoughlin retires from football

The Roofers, formed by Richie McLoughlin, this morning resigned from the Northern League and will no longer be in operation.

McLoughlin, who started the club as a Sunday morning team in the Tyne & Wear Business Houses League, before switching to Saturday football, has been manager, chairman, groundsman and main sponsor for more than three decades.

But he has decided to call it a day and yesterday's defeat against Stockton Town at their Boldon Sports Ground home, is the club's last fixture.

McLoughlin said: "I just couldn't go on any more. It was too hard.

"I'm not daft, I know when it's time to call it a day. No one can go on forever.

"I've been thinking about it for a while now. This has been the worst season for 35 years. It's been a long time coming and I need to enjoy my spare time now.

"I had a few drinks after the game yesterday and wanted to sleep on it just to make sure but it's done now."

Roofing finished third-bottom of the Northern League Division One table and were set to be relegated to Division Two.

Over the last 30 years as a Saturday side, Roofing have won the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup, Craven Cup, Monkwearmouth Cup and reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase in 2004-05.

McLoughlin guided them from the South Tyne Senior League and then through a series of promotions from the Tyneside Amateur League and Wearside League up to the Northern League, where they have played for the last 21 years.