South Shields manager Ian Watson already looking to the future as summer business planned

South Shields are wasting little time in moving on from their National League North play-off final heartache as the planning process for next season is already underway.

The Mariners saw their dreams of securing promotion into the National League ended by Kidderminster Harriers last weekend as the visitors landed a 2-0 win at the 1st Cloud Arena to secure their spot in non-league’s top flight. However, there was little time to waste for Mariners boss Ian Watson and his coaching staff as they turned their focus towards next season just 48 hours after their loss against the Midlands outfit.

The Gazette understands South Shields are working on their retained list for the 2026/27 season - although many of what would be viewed as key players are already contracted for the new campaign. Possible transfer targets had already been identified ahead of Saturday’s defeat against Harriers as Watson looks to build on what was a largely positive first season in charge by adding to his squad in a bid to go one better next time around.

Unlike last summer, when Watson’s appointment heralded the arrival of a largely new look squad, a more measured approach will be taken to recruitment and although new signings will be secured, they are not expected to hit double figures as they did just under 12 months ago.

Watson has described himself as ‘really ambitious’ as he prepares for the close-season and insisted what comes over the next three months will be done to meet his aims of taking the club ‘as high as it can possibly go’.

He told The Gazette: “We are already underway with planning. We had a meeting on Monday to discuss what we look like for next year and what that looks like. We are always planning, we are really ambitious, I’m really ambitious and I want to drive this club and take it as high as it can possibly go. With that perspective, we will be working straightaway.”

Incredible

One of the key features of Watson’s first season in charge has been the overwhelming support he has received from the Mariners faithful.

There have been a whole host of lifelong memories created throughout the last ten months as Watson’s men reached the FA Cup first round and battled for the National League North title. Demand for season tickets for the new campaign is expected to be high and the support the South Shields players received during their play-off final defeat against the Harriers shows enthusiasm remains high.

The former Gateshead and MK Dons assistant manager admitted he was disappointed more Mariners supporters couldn’t attend the final - but he thanked them for their backing throughout his first season in management.

“They’re amazing and I’m just disappointed we had to give the opposition our home side,” he explained. “That’s the league rule, there’s nothing we can do about that so for them to turn up in their numbers, and make it as loud as they did, it’s incredible. They’ve been incredible all season so we thank them a lot for that.”

Your next South Shields read: Sunderland youngster & summer transfer target one of 3 South Shields stars named in National League North TOTS