'We still believe' - Geoff Thompson backs South Shields' final day promotion bid
South Shields FC owner Geoff Thompson is backing the Mariners to secure promotion on what is set to be a huge National League North final day.
South Shields owner and chairman Geoff Thompson has issued a rallying call to Mariners supporters ahead of a nerve-shredding final day of the National League North season.
Ian Watson’s side will travel to play-off bound Kidderminster Harriers needing a win to keep alive their hopes of securing the league title and a promotion into the top tier of non-league football.
However, even a win may not be enough for the Mariners as top of the table AFC Fylde will be crowned as champions if they can claim all three points from their visit to a Merthyr Town side that have play-off ambitions of their own.
South Shields were in the driving seat for the title as recently as last weekend when a 1-1 home draw with Bedford Town opened the door for Fylde to take top spot heading into the final seven days of a fascinating title race.
Geoff Thompson: ‘I still believe’
The Mariners will be backed by a sizeable travelling support in the Midlands and Thompson has insisted those making the journey can make the trip believing their side can pull off a historic win.
He told The Gazette: “There is still belief we can do it and we are guaranteed a play-off place and second place at very least.
“The point being, whatever the outcome on Saturday, and I hope we can do it on Saturday, we still have a chance of promotion with the play-offs.
“If it doesn’t happen on Saturday, and again, we hope it does, we still have an opportunity to get up in the play-offs.
“We just have to give it our best shot. The supporters will get right behind the lads, enjoy the occasion and let’s hope we can do it.
“I know it will be nail-biting but let’s get behind the lads, be vocal, be positive and let’s hope we can deliver.”
The push for the National League North title is a far cry from the closing weeks of last season when the Mariners were sitting in the bottom half of the table and on a disappointing run of nine games without a win.
The turnaround in fortunes under current manager Watson and assistant Carl Magnay has raised hopes of promotion into the National League, where the Mariners will face the likes of Hartlepool United, Gateshead and FC Halifax Town.
Even if they fall short in their title bid, a home tie in the play-off semi-final is already guaranteed and the 1st Cloud Arena would host the final if South Shields come through their last four tie.
Never over until it’s over for South Shields
The focus remains on a final push for top spot - but Thompson stressed the progress towards being genuine promotion contenders has been a major highlight this season.
He said: “A number of people have commented on if we would have taken this position at the start of the season and the answer is absolutely yes!
“But that said, it’s never over until it’s over and a win on Saturday, which is a big ask, can give us at least a chance.
“It’s far from over so we just have to keep pushing to get it over the line and all we can do is beat the team in front of us and hopefully Merthyr can do us a favour.”