Ian Watson has been reunited with Mike Williamson after the former Newcastle and Wolves defender was named as South Shields first-team coach.

Former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson has been named as new first-team coach at National League North leaders South Shields.

The Mariners confirmed the appointment on Friday evening after they announced another former Magpies player, Matty Pattison, was stepping away from the role to focus on interests away from football. Williamson will step back into coaching on a voluntary basis and returns to the game for the first time since he left Scottish giants Rangers earlier this season.

The former United centre-back, who made over 150 appearances during a six-year stay at St James Park, will work alongside current Mariners boss Ian Watson once again after the duo worked during Williamson’s time as manager at MK Dons, Carlisle United and Gateshead. It was with the latter where they enjoyed the most success as they led the Heed to the National League North title, three appearances in the ‘proper rounds’ of the FA Cup and a first ever FA Trophy final - although Wembley success remained out of reach thanks to a narrow defeat against FC Halifax Town.

Mariners boss Watson has always credited Williamson with having a sizeable impact on his personal and professional life since they first came together when the latter joined Gateshead as a player during the summer of 2018. He will now hope the former Magpies defender can play a part in helping him replicate their National League North title success with South Shields.

Influence

Mike Williamson, left, following his appointment as Gateshead player-manager in 2019.

placeholder image — Mike Williamson, left, following his appointment as Gateshead player-manager in 2019.

In an exclusive interview with The Gazette last month, Watson said of the former Magpies defender: “I could write a book about Mike Williamson. I make no bones about it, I owe Mike everything. From where I was to where I am, I owe it to Mike. He believed in me more than anybody has in my life. He gave me so much and I speak to people like Russell Martin and Luke Williams, who is now at Peterborough United, but it’s Mike that I owe it all too.

“I wanted to be a sponge and absorb knowledge from him, I wanted to adapt and learn from them all and that all started from Mike. He changed how I look at the game and how I react to setbacks, whether that’s injuries, defeats or players leaving the club. He made me look at my own mindset and gave me a drive to get better. I still have a long way to go and I need to get better and better and better. I will keep working everyday to do that because I want to become as good as I can be. Mike has been the biggest influence in my professional career and he’s made me think differently on a personal and professional level.”

Williamson will be part of the Mariners coaching team for Saturday’s home game with Leamington as Watson’s side look to take another step towards a historic promotion into the National League.

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