Exclusive:'Perfect' - Former Newcastle United man backed for South Shields FC role

Ian Watson has thrown his support behind former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson to succeed him as South Shields FC manager.

The former Gateshead and MK Dons assistant had been hard at work planning for his second season in charge in the aftermath of the National League North play-off final defeat against Kidderminster Harriers when his future at Mariners Park became on ongoing source of speculation. As revealed by The Gazette last week, League One club Barnsley, League Two outfit Salford City and FA Trophy winners Southend United all showed tentative interest in Watson over the last month - but it was Rochdale that made the most decisive move for his services as they made a firm approach to South Shields last weekend.

The deal to take Watson and assistant Carl Magnay to the National League play-off winners ahead of their return to League Two was formally completed on Tuesday - and Mariners chairman Geoff Thompson hinted Williamson could form part of a management team moving forwards. That potential move would be a shrewd one according to Watson as he described the former Magpies defender as ‘a perfect manager’ for his old club.

He told The Gazette: “Ive not really spoken about this on record - but Mike Williamson is an amazing manager and he’s had some really harsh criticism. He did a brilliant job with Gateshead, we did well at MK Dons and got them into the play-offs and then we had four months at Carlisle where it didn’t happen for us - but it’s ridiculous how it was magnified. We weren’t given a chance to turn that around. Mike gets stick for that and we always get mentioned because of that four months but it’s harsh. South Shields would have the perfect guy and a perfect manager in Mike and they have a squad to push forwards. They’d be in good hands and I can’t wait to see how he does if it is Mike that gets the job.”

‘Elite environment’

Meanwhile, Watson has revealed the Mariners had already completed their first two new signings of the summer prior to his departure. Several transfer targets had been discussed in recent months and two deals had been completed before Watson was tempted away by the offer from Rochdale. The Gazette understands deals for an experienced left-back and a young centre midfielder have been sealed and the former Mariners boss believes both players will form part of a strong team that can challenge for promotion into the National League once again when the new season gets underway in August.

He said: “The club has an elite environment now and they are ready to go and challenge again next season. The big disappointment was not getting promoted but there’s a group of players ready to push on and we managed to sign a couple of players before we left so I think the squad is ready. I’ve told those players that South Shields is a good fit after I left and they’ll have a strong team next season and they believe they should be ready. That mindset will be so important for them.”

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