South Shields FC scores Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall as its honorary president

The 27-year-old Little Mix singer is already a patron of South Shields-based charity Cancer Connections and recently invested in her own bar, Arbeia, and nightclub, Industry, Ocean Road in the town.

Jade's role will see her increase the club's profile on a national and international scale, with bosses saying “her values fit perfectly with the values of the club as it strives to reach out even further.”

Jade said: "I’m incredibly proud to come from South Shields and one thing I am most proud of about my hometown is the sense of community and how we love to support each other and see each other do well in all aspects of life, which is something the football club very much embodies.”

Jade attended the final fixture at 1st Cloud Arena before the 2019-20 season was brought to a premature end, and was enthralled as the Mariners defeated FC United of Manchester 5-3.

She has watched on with pride as her hometown team has progressed not only on the pitch over recent years, but off it too.

The social impact made by the club's charitable foundation - which works with more than 900 children every week during school term times and is making great strides in girls' football with weekly sessions - has impressed Jade, who is also keen to be an advocate for tackling issues including homophobia, sexism and racism through her role at South Shields FC.

Jade added: "I'm really hoping our club can be very progressive in that sense as well as being insanely talented on the pitch.

"I'm so excited and I hope I can do everyone proud, just as our team has for our hometown."

Club chairman Geoff Thompson said he was delighted she had accepted the invitation and added: "Jade's commitment to the town mirrors the club's commitment and we are thrilled she is on board to further promote what we are trying to achieve."

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