Exclusive:Hebburn Town chairman lauds shock title win and relishes 'special' South Shields clash

There are few people more qualified to discuss Hebburn Town’s rise up the non-league pyramid than chairman Vin Pearson.

From managing the club in the Wearside League to his current role as chairman and seeing their historic promotion into the National League North, the North East non-league stalwart has seen it all during his time with the Hornets. From facing clubs on their doorstep during his time in the dugout, Pearson will witness his club taking on former Football League names in the form of Morecambe, Darlington, Scarborough and Hereford in the league next season.

And there is also a local derby to consider as the Hornets compete alongside South Tyneside neighbours South Shields following the latter’s heartbreaking National League North play-off final defeat against Kidderminster Harriers last weekend. Preparations for a historic season in the second tier of the non-league system are already underway and Pearson is relishing the challenges that lie in wait when the new campaign kicks off in August.

He told The Gazette: “There are a lot of good clubs in the league and a lot of travelling, there’s overnight stays and it’s a big step-up for Hebburn and it’s a long way from where they were when I first started and managed them in the Wearside League. But it’s tremendous for the club and what is going to happen at the ground is unbelievable. It’s been a good journey for me and I am really looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Unbelievable

Few had predicted Hebburn would be in the mix for the Northern Premier League Premier Division title last summer and their predictions of a relegation battle appeared to be ringing true after a difficult start to the campaign.

After emerging pointless from the first three league games against Hednesford Town, Guiseley and Lancaster City, Daniel Moore’s side sat at the foot of the Premier Division table ahead of an August bank holiday weekend double header against Cleethorpes Town and Whitby Town.

However, after securing six points from those two games, the Hornets never looked back and they fought off the challenges of FC United of Manchester and Hednesford Town throughout a second half of the season that surpassed all expectations.

Pearson reserved special praise for Moore, assistant manager Mark Hudson and goalkeeper coach Carl Morris after they guided the Hornets to historic success and believes the trio deserve ‘all of the plaudits that have come their way’ throughout their time in charge at the Trustmark Group Stadium.

He said: “It’s unbelievable what has happened at the club this season, unbelievable! Daniel, Mark and Carl have done a tremendous job. They’ve brought in brilliant signings, we had some good players already - but what they have done has even surprised me.

“We started off slowly and lost our first three games but after that, it was just magnificent. The club always bounces back and after those three games you’re thinking the league is too big for us. But they’ve proving themselves, the players, the coaches, they’re a great squad and they deserve everything they get and all of the plaudits that have come their way.”

Transformation

Hebburn’s rise up the non-league pyramid has formed a major role in what has been an exciting decade for the non-league game in the area. Kickstarted by South Shields’ own rise that brought title wins, cup final triumphs, a Wembley victory and sizeable change on and off the pitch, Hebburn have forged the same path and have created moments of history with every passing season.

Further changes are planned for the coming months as their Trustmark Group Stadium home is set to be transformed into a community hub and one that means it will become one of the most impressive grounds in the region. A new pitch will be laid and a new stand will house modern changing rooms, office facilities, a gym, a club shop and a multi-purpose function space. There will also be the conversion of an existing building into a centre for community meetings and events. The Sportsy Bar will be extended below the current balcony area to increase the venue’s match day capacity as well as incorporating a dedicated stage area for performers.

Far from being overshadowed on the pitch, Hebburn will now compete alongside South Shields in the National League North and all eyes will be on the fixture release day next month as the two sides discover when they will meet during a season that already promises intrigue. Not since the 2015/16 season, when South Shields were crowned Northern League Division Two champions just months after owner Geoff Thompson’s arrival, have the two sides competed in the same division.

Special occasion

But that will all change next season and Pearson believes both games will provide a ‘really special occasion’ for South Tyneside - despite admitted he would have loved South Shields to have secured promotion into the National League during the current campaign.

“Without a doubt, it’ll be special for the area,” he explained. “I’ve got a lot of time for the South Shields manager (Ian Watson), he’s a lovely guy and I would have loved to have seen him get them promoted this season. But the other side of the coin is it’s going to be a big crowd when we play them, it’s going to be a real money-maker for us and a really special occasion for the area.”

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