Exclusive:'All systems go' for South Shields as international investment deal announcement now imminent

Chairman Geoff Thompson has revealed it is ‘all systems go’ at South Shields with completion of a significant investment deal now imminent.

The Mariners suffered promotion heartache earlier this month when their dreams of securing a place in the top tier of non-league football were ended by a National League North play-off final defeat against Kidderminster Harriers. Despite that disappointment, an exciting summer still lies in wait with major developments expected on and off the pitch at the 1st Cloud Arena in preparation for a new chapter in the Mariners recent history.

Since taking ownership of his hometown club a decade ago, Thompson has overseen a rise from Northern League Division Two to the second tier of non-league football with four league title wins and further silverware was secured in the form of the FA Vase, Durham Challenge Cup and Northern League Cup. History was made during the 2020/21 season when South Shields were represented in the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time since 1972 before a defeat at League Two club Cheltenham Town ended their progress.

However, there have been two further visits to the same stage of the competition and that brought national coverage as the BBC Sport and TNT Sports cameras were on hand to witness home defeats against Forest Green Rovers and Shrewsbury Town.

Away from the pitch, Thompson has also instigated a move to full-time, professional status during his time at the helm and South Shields’ 1st Cloud Arena home has been transformed in recent seasons and the club now boasts a sizeable academy setup that is aiding the development of players from home and abroad. With thoughts turning towards the future, Mariners supremo Thompson confirmed he had agreed a deal with an international investment group in late-March that he revealed will trigger changes to the ownership structure at the club.

Imminent

Thompson will remain in place as chairman and will retain a significant minority share in the Mariners once the new structure comes into place. That process could be concluded in the near future after he confirmed a formal completion of all paperwork involved in the agreement was now imminent.

He told The Gazette: “All of the legal documents are agreed over the investment deal and completion is now imminent.

“It is all systems go at the club. We have finalised our retained list, we are driving our efforts to recruit new players and we are trying to progress the pre-season schedule with a number of fixtures already pencilled in. We will be working hard to finalise those pre-season games and hope to make an announcement shortly.

“Anyone that has been down to the ground recently will see the entire playing surface has been ripped up, we’ve now put down several tonnes of sand and there is a new drainage system in place. We are all excited to see how things will come together for the start of next season and it’s a really exciting time for the club."

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