South Shields FC fans launch fighting fund as Mariners take on FA over league decision

The club’s promotion hopes were dealt a fatal blow earlier in June after an appeal against the FA’s decision to declare their campaign null and void was dismissed.

Shields were sat atop the Northern Premier League table when the season was halted in mid-March, and were within touching distance of promotion to the National League North.

But while other leagues have been offered the chance to play to a conclusion, or have seen promotion and relegation decided via sporting merit scenarios, the Northern Premier League was declared null and void.

This meant that Shields was denied promotion, leading to the launch of a legal challenge and appeal in a bid to overturn the decision.

But the club confirmed earlier in June that their legal challenge was unsuccessful – despite it being a costly and time-consuming process.

Now fans are pulling together to raise £100,000 towards covering the cost of the legal battle.

Shields supporter David Charlton has started a Go Fund Me fundraiser in a bid to reimburse the club for their efforts.

Set up on June 25, the page has has raised £2,725 in just a matter of days.

A message to supporters on the page read: “Our Chairman Geoff Thompson didn’t take this sitting down, he bravely and boldly challenged the decision - becoming the figurehead of 200 plus disgruntled teams who wanted to have a voice heard, and rightly co-signed an appeal to the FA, after ratification by the FA Council.

“I really hope that we can witness the same rallying support financially, in an attempt to recoup at least a percentage of these obscene costs and personally reimburse Geoff Thompson, in a way of appreciation and thanks.”

In a message to fans on Twitter in June chairman Geoff Thompson said: “Sadly it is true that our total bill is £200,000 as the FA have insisted we pay the arbitration panel costs plus a significant proportion of their own legal bill. It means that small clubs simply can’t afford to challenge them.”

To donate visit: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/south-shields-fc-supporters-booster

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.