New head coach Mike Williamson ready to embrace the pressure at South Shields FC

Mike Williamson did not need to be persuaded to return to management with South Shields FC - in fact, his decision-making process lasted just a matter of seconds!

The former Newcastle United defender has not worked in the lead role in the dugout since departing Carlisle United in February last year before he had a short spell on the coaching staff of Scottish Premiership giants Rangers. Williamson returned to the North East earlier this year to work with former Mariners head coach Ian Watson after the duo had worked together during a highly successful spell with Gateshead before accepting roles at MK Dons and Carlisle.

Watson’s departure to League Two club Rochdale opened up an opportunity for Williamson to step up to take charge at Mariners Park - and it was a decision that required little thought after he held discussions with chairman Geoff Thompson and Mariners partner Jason Ye.

He told The Gazette: “This opportunity came, the door opened, and I pondered it for about three seconds. From what I have learnt, having wisdom, it is that the gut tells you straightaway. In my youth I’ve probably been a victim to overanalysing things strategically, when this is telling you this will be brilliant. I am excited for it, it wasn’t really a decision to take.”

Pressure

Having worked briefly on predecessor Ian Watson’s coaching staff and stepping into a newly-created role as the club’s head of performance and culture, Williamson has already been given an insight into pressures involved with South Shields. With a fiercely ambitious ownership group preparing for their first season at the helm, Williamson will be expected to push for promotion after the Mariners narrowly missed out as last season’s National League North runners-up and beaten play-off finalists.

With several step two rivals already showing signs of serious ambition with some eye-catching signings, Williamson has stressed the need for his players to cope with the pressure as they chase success - and he revealed he will ensure they get his full support throughout the campaign.

He said: “My remit will be to be very vocal, supporting the person and that will help the player. I want to develop people. In my career, I was fortunate enough to play through the divisions and I could never turn a challenge down. I always thought if something scared me or made a little nervous, I had to lean into it. Going into Gateshead, that was my initial feeling.

“When you say pressure is a privilege, it’s easy to say the quote, and everyone knows the quote - but it’s very different when it drops from there to there, head to heart, and you feel it, you’re walking on the pitch, your juices are flowing and you’re really excited. If you’re a young lad and someone is saying it, you walk out and you’re thinking i don’t want to be the one to make a mistake with all of the fans - especially with social media now. So my love is trying to support the human behind what we see on the field.”

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