Time for heroes to be made - we're backing South Shields for the title and National League promotion

This is a town built on the foundations of shipyards and coal mines - and although those industries have fallen silent, hard work still remains.

This is a town that has told great tales to the world via Catherine Cookson and Ridley Scott - yet an even more remarkable story is still being played out.

This is a town that has put smiles on faces thanks to Eric Idle, Sarah Millican and Chris Ramsey - but the biggest smiles could yet come over the next week.

This is a town that has taken emotion-evoking local voices across the globe thanks to Jade, Perrie and Joe - yet the sweetest sound of success could yet be heard in the near future.

Sheer graft, togetherness, a will to defy the odds and to do it all with a smile on your face have always been the hallmarks of life as a Sand Dancer - and those qualities are so prominent in the football club that represents this town and in the men who wear their claret and blue kit.

South Shields is on the brink of something special

South Shields is on the brink of achieving something special and The Gazette are calling on our town to get behind their football club as they look to achieve almost unprecedented success over the next week.

Bedford Town will provide the opposition for the final home fixture of an already special season for Ian Watson and his players and our beloved Mariners are sitting at the top of the National League North table with just two games remaining.

AFC Fylde provide their closest rivals - and there is little to choose between both sides ahead of the final week of the season.

However, two wins for the Mariners and preserving their superior goal difference would mean South Shields are crowned champions after next weekend’s game at Kidderminster Harriers and that will take our club into the National League and within one promotion of the EFL.

That was the dream target set by owner Geoff Thompson when he bought his hometown club and set the Mariners on a journey few could have predicted.

Along the way there have been four promotions, four title wins, three visits to the FA Cup first round, three cup wins and, of course, who could forget the day over 15,000 Mariners made their way to Wembley to see their side lift the FA Vase with a 4-0 win against Cleethorpes Town.

A time for legends to be made

Along the way, heroes, legends and icons have been created. Jon King, a man who defied the odds to keep the Mariners pushing, kickstarted the rise and will never be forgotten.

Julio Arca, a player well-known for his exploits in red and white with Sunderland, was reduced to tears by his achievements as a Mariner.

Lee Picton and Graham Fenton brought unprecedented success during their reign as joint-managers and lifted the club to new heights.

The likes of Jon Shaw, Gavin Cogdon, Dillon Morse and Robert Briggs have been cemented into Mariners folklore along the way - and the current crop of Mariners heroes are already on their way to joining them in the history books.

There is substance and style about this South Shields side, they are entertaining and hardworking. They are confident but humble. They show individual brilliance, yet that is underpinned by an unwavering togetherness and spirit.

The manager, coaches and players represent this town with honour, pride, class and dignity. They are a representation of the values that have become the hallmarks of our town for centuries.

That is why we are calling on our town, our South Shields, to get behind our football club on Saturday as they look to take another step towards achieving something very special.

This is a time for heroes, for history to be written. Back the lads, pack the park, promotion and glory is in sight. C’mon Shields!