'You have to dream' - Chairman Geoff Thompson's message to South Shields after Buxton win

South Shields owner Geoff Thompson dared to dream of a place in the EFL after the Mariners claimed a spot in the National League North play-off final with a battling win against Buxton.

A first-half penalty from top goalscorer Paul Blackett was enough to help Ian Watson’s men finally claim a win against the Derbyshire outfit after the two sides had battled to a pair of draws during the regular season. The win means South Shields are sitting just 90 minutes away from a potential promotion into the National League and that would take them to within one step of securing a place in the EFL.

Of course, there are sizeable challenges lying ahead of them, not least next weekend’s play-off final home tie against Kidderminster Harriers, who are one of only two visiting sides to claim all three points from their visit to the 1st Cloud Arena this season and the only side to complete a league double over the Mariners. A capacity crowd is expected for another historic occasion and there are sure to be nerves aplenty - but South Shields owner and chairman Thompson insisted the club’s supporters ‘have to dream’ about what could lie ahead.

He told BBC Newcastle: “It’s been an amazing day and I’m delighted for everyone involved but I think the allocation for Kidderminster next week is around 1,200 so we will have 1,200 away fans here. Our capacity is 4,000 so I expect a full house here next week and what an occasion it will be. I got involved here around 11 years ago and we were playing at the lower end of Northern League Division Two.

“It’s not down to me, it’s down to the fans, but what a journey we’ve had and it could be the fifth promotion if we get through next Saturday. Incredible, let’s just hope we can do it. I’m slightly cautious about predicting things because Kidderminster are a very strong side but we have every chance to beat them. Can you imagine? Here we are, South Shields, into the National League and then one step away from the Football League again. Who knows? We have to dream, don’t we?”

Best shot

Thompson also backed Mariners management team Ian Watson and Carl Magnay to get their side fully prepared for a major test against Harriers and move on from a nervy win against Buxton.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted for everyone involved with South Shields. For the players, for Ian, Carl, the whole management team, for everybody here, obviously the fans. It’s an incredible result. It’s been nerve-racking but I’m delighted we have got there.

“We have home advantage, yes, they are a great side, I was down there last Saturday. There was very little in it. Arguably we could have won that game as well but I’ve got no doubt Ian and Carl will have the lads prepared for next Saturday and we will give it our absolute best shot. Who knows what might happen - but dare I say I’m very confident we can do this.”

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