Football fans donate South Shields FC season tickets to children in bid to make a difference

The campaign was kicked off by Mariners’ supporter Jeff Bell, who lives in London.

He bought eight under-16s season tickets for the club’s 2020/21 campaign at a cost of £35 each.

But he has since returned the tickets to the club’s charitable arm, the South Shields FC Foundation and others have followed suit.

The club tweeted: “Jeff would like the tickets to go to children who would not usually get the opportunity to attend games so we will work to ensure that happens.

“Following Jeff’s tweet another fan, David Al Agouri from Newcastle-under-Lyme, also bought two and donated them back! Quite amazing.”

The total number of season tickets donated for deserving youngsters is now up to 40.

Others to contribute include players Jordan Hunter, who was on loan from Sunderland in 2019/20, defender Dillon Morse, club photographer Kevin Wilson and a number of sponsors and supporters.

Despite the uncertainty over the whole of football for next season, South Shields have already sold 450 season tickets and hope to top 500 soon.

Shields were desperately unfortunate in the 2019 season.

With just nine games remaining they were top of the BetVictor Premier Division table and led nearest rivals FC United of Manchester by 12 points.

But everyone involved with the club is now looking to the future.

Chairman Geoff Thompson is delighted with the backing the foundation is receiving and thanked everyone who contributed.

He said: “Obviously for the club it’s a difficult period. Football in the current climate is less important, but eventually football will return.

“We like to think that South Shields FC plays an important role in the community and people have stepped up to recognise that.

“Had this pandemic not happened we were looking to make supporters shareholders.

“We’re delivering a lot of health and wellbeing programmes. The club, through its foundation, is trying to make a difference. We’ve been promoting the role of the foundation.

“When this pandemic’s over it will be great to see the children at Mariners Park and we’re looking forward to welcoming them back.”

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