When all-conquering South Shields FC won the league title in style 10 years ago this weekend
Magnificent Mariners were champions 10 years ago
It was cheers all round 10 years ago this weekend when South Shields FC romped to league glory.
A 4-0 victory on a jubilant day at Crook meant the Mariners won Division Two of the Northern League and began their rise through the ranks under chairman Geoff Thompson.
It was their first championship win since 1995 and a big travelling support was there to enjoy scenes of joy on the pitch between players, officials and fans.
A Shields Gazette report at the time said: “They can look forward to life in Division One of the Northern League next season, after what Mr Thompson described as an “amazing day”.
He said: “When the final whistle went, and the players and fans were celebrating together, I’ll admit that I got quite emotional.
“It was a great feeling, and great for the town, players management and everyone involved with the club. It was an amazing day.”
Mr Thompson took over as the club’s chairman the previous May and brought the club back to Mariners Park following two years of playing home’ games in Peterlee.
But the club was not resting on its laurels. It planned to make an £80,000 investment to install a drainage system on its pitch and there were proposals for new stands and a 3G facility.
Even better was to come for the club in 2017 when the Mariners had the most successful season in its history at the time.
They won the Northern League, Northern League Cup, Durham Challenge Cup and the FA Vase final at Wembley.
But we want to know what your favourite memories are of following the team back then.
To give you more of a reminder of South Tyneside life 10 years ago, all of this was happening as well.
Charity champ Colin Burgin-Plews was in pain throughout the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon but was inspired to keep going by the people he’s raising money for.
South Shields-born aviation enthusiast George Heron had a life-long love of the Spitfire and his dream of flying one came true in an incredible anniversary gift. His wife Louise, 41, organised for him to take controls of a vintage Spitfire which saw action during World War Two.
By the time he reached the finish line, 7hrs and 26mins after setting off, his socks were covered in blood and he was in incredible pain.
A packed programme of comedy, dance, drama and music was unveiled by the Customs House in South Shields including the musical The Dolly Mixtures.
Share your own reminders of 2016. Tell us more by emailing [email protected]