A delegation from South Shields Football Club are visiting China following the announcement of an investment deal at the National League North club.

Geoff Thompson wants South Shields fans to experience ‘the highest highs’ as the latest chapter in the Mariners rise gets underway.

The South Tyneside businessman is currently leading a Mariners delegation on a visit to China after an international investment group led by New York-based lawyer Jason Ye completed a deal to become majority shareholders of the National League North club.

The deal has triggered a chance in the ownership structure at Mariners Park - but Thompson will remain in situ as club chairman as preparations for the new league season get underway. Those preparations have been slightly disrupted by an approach for manager Ian Watson from League Two newcomers Rochdale and talks between both clubs are ongoing as of Tuesday lunchtime.

Jason Ye, whose consortium are the new majority owners of South Shields Football Club. With Chairman Geoff Thompson. Picture by FRANK REID | Frank Reid

placeholder image — Jason Ye, whose consortium are the new majority owners of South Shields Football Club. With Chairman Geoff Thompson. Picture by FRANK REID | Frank Reid

However, work to add to the Mariners squad has not been disrupted and Thompson has already stated a contingency plan that could see former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson step up as manager has been prepared should Watson depart after a one-season stay with the Mariners.

There have been some understandable questions about the direction of travel South Shields will take following the agreement with the ORY LLP Investment consortium and Watson’s potential departure - but Thompson has moved to quell those fears by insisting a ‘wonderful journey’ lies ahead.

He told The Gazette: “I want to say to the fans we are on a journey and there will be setbacks in any journey - but we are in a really good place with an exciting road ahead of us. There are a lot good things to come but, ultimately, the proof in the pudding is in the eating and I hope fans know me well enough to know I wouldn’t take something on I don’t think can be delivered. I would implore our fans to see what is going on, enjoy it, be part of the journey and enjoy the journey we are on.

“We’ve been on a wonderful journey full of highs, with a few lows admittedly, over the last 11 years and we hope the highest highs are ahead of us and we can reach those highs with this new investment.”

‘Exciting plans’

Jason Ye new owner of South Shields Football Club speaking at a press conference with Geoff Thomson Chairman of South Shields FC Picture by FRANK REID | Frank Reid

Thompson has also stressed the investment agreement will bring improvements across the entire club and will not just be limited to first-team affairs - although did call for patience with some plans likely to produce long-term benefits rather than provide immediate progress.

He said: “There are a number of dimensions to the investment and we are working hard on those plans now. Some of it will take time to mature and be realised. It’s not a silver bullet you can fire and change things overnight. There is a lot of hard work ahead of us but we are fully prepared for that.

“There are lots of exciting plans and ideas and fans will look at it immediately as what is happening with the first-team on the pitch and we will back the management in that respect - but there is a whole host of other dimensions to it and we will invest in other areas.”

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