South Shields loan can bring the best out of Middlesbrough youngster

South Shields manager Ian Watson is determined to bring the best out of Sonny Finch after the Middlesbrough youngster joined the National League North leaders on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old striker made five of his six senior Boro appearances under former manager Michael Carrick and made his first start in a Carabao Cup second round defeat against Stoke City in August 2024. However, he has appeared in a matchday squad just twice during the current season after he was an unused substitute in a 1-0 home win against Derby County on the opening day of the season before remaining on the bench for the Carabao Cup loss against Doncaster Rovers just days later.

After scoring seven goals in 12 Premier League 2 and National League Cup appearances for Boro Under-21s this season, Finch will be handed an opportunity to earn regular senior football as he spends the rest of the season with South Shields in a move that will reunite him with his former MK Dons assistant manager Watson. After playing a part in taking Finch to the League Two club during the first loan spell of his young career, the Mariners boss knows exactly what he is getting from the latest addition to his promotion-chasing squad.

He said: “It’s funny how transfers happen because Sonny is probably one where we didn’t think we had a chance of getting him and it just transpired organically. He’s someone that I’ve kept in touch with since his spell at MK Dons and he just wants to get back to a place where he is happy and enjoying his football and I think we can help him do that. He was a really big prospect coming through at Middlesbrough, he made some first-team appearances and did well, and Michael Carrick really liked him.

“A new manager came in, this is football, we know how it can go, so he just wants to play senior football on a regular basis and get back scoring goals and working in an environment where he can flourish and that’s how I’ve sold it to him. We had Luke Woolston and we have Cain Sykes, they both know him so they have sold the club to him and told him about the environment we have at the club. We are all really looking forward to working with him and getting the best out of him between now and the end of the season.”

Professional

Watson has made the most of personal links with Finch and his family after playing alongside his Dad, Keith, during his time as a player at Northern League club Shildon. The Mariners manager also worked with Finch’s Uncle, Jordan Cook, during his time as assistant manager at Gateshead and he believes that has added further determination to bring the best out of the striker during his time at the 1st Cloud Arena.

He said: “When I went to MK, we took Sonny down there and I spoke to his Dad quite a bit. He said to look after him and I said I would after playing with Keith during my time as a player. Sonny got injured and came back for a game with Colchester and then we left the club the next day. But I have a good relationship with the family after playing with Keith and Jordan Cook, who we had as a player at Gateshead, is his Uncle. I know the family well, I played with Keith a lot at Shildon and it’s something I like because it just means I want it to work for Sonny on a personal and professional level.”