South Shields FC secure signing of former Sunderland and Rangers winger

South Shields FC have completed the signing of former Sunderland and Rangers winger Jordan Jones - and one further new addition could be completed over the coming days.

The recent departures of midfielder Will Jenkins and forward Sonny Finch to Rochdale and Grimsby Town respectively have hit Williamson’s squad and his numbers have been further depleted by a number of injuries and suspensions over the first month of the season. However, after telling The Gazette he was hoping to strengthen his squad earlier this week, Williamson has now revealed two incoming deals are set to be completed and described himself as ‘really excited’ by the new additions.

Speaking after Saturday’s win at National League North rivals Hednesford Town, the Mariners boss told the club website: “We are thin, we need help, the boys need help. I think we have relied on 12 or 13 players and we have got a couple imminently coming in. I am really, really excited about them. They’re real quality. I can’t say who at the minute because we are still waiting on them being finalised but I am really excited.”

The first of those additions was officially unveiled on Saturday when Jones agreed to join Williamson’s ranks after working under the current Mariners boss during his time in charge of Carlisle United - and he revealed his relationship with the former Newcastle United defender was key to the move.

Speaking after putting pen-to-paper, he said: “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to represent the club and build on the great relationship I have with the manager. It’s an opportunity to fall back in love with football and do whatever it takes to bring success to South Shields.”

‘The lads just left everything out there’

The Mariners could not have wished for a better start as they passed their latest test at Hednesford on Saturday as Adam Campbell combined with Sean McGurk and Paul Blackett to fire his side in front with just a minute on the clock. Hednesford were always likely to provide a stern test for Williamson and his players as the ambitious Pitmen look to build on last season’s Northern Premier League East Division play-off final win against Warrington Rylands by pushing for consecutive promotions.

There were chances for an equaliser with Mariners goalkeeper Jasper Sheik producing a stunning save to tip an Akheem Rose shot on to the bar midway through the second-half before the hosts were reduced to ten men when Dale Gorman was shown a straight red card.

Former Mariners forward Dylan Mottley-Henry wasted a golden chance to earn his side a point in the closing stages of a hard-fought contest as his old club held on to claim a win that means they are now the only unbeaten side left in the National League North. Williamson insisted he wouldn’t criticise his players for their performance and praised the togetherness they displayed to claim another three points.

He said: “It was another hard-fought game. I don’t think we want to make it easy for ourselves in that respect. But it was a really good result, probably a good performance, not the control we wanted but the spirit and every game, we have to rely on that real investment and the guys’ togetherness and willingness. We did it again. We make it hard for ourselves but I want to watch it back before there is criticism because the lads just left everything out there and that was the last message before we went out there. If we are going to lose, we will do it on our terms.”

Williamson and his players will now focus their attention on Tuesday night’s home game against a Marine side that are sitting three points and three places above the relegation zone.