South Shields confirm stadium sponsor deal will end this month

South Shields have confirmed their stadium sponsor deal with 1st Cloud Accountants has come to an end after six years.

The North East-based firm have been in partnership with the Mariners for over a decade after the two parties initially worked together in 2015 - but their relationship was strengthened when a stadium sponsorship deal was struck in the summer of 2020 that led to Mariners Park being renamed as the 1st Cloud Arena. Described at the time as a ‘significant’ deal as the world dealt with the financial fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, an initial agreement was extended by a further year in April 2022 and has now lasted for six seasons.

During that time, South Shields have been promoted into the second tier of the non-league game, the National League North, thanks to their Northern Premier League title win and the 1st Cloud Arena has played host to two live televised FA Cup first round ties as the Mariners fell to defeats against then-League Two clubs Forest Green Rovers and Shrewsbury Town.

Last month’s National League North play-off final defeat to Kidderminster Harriers will now go down as the last game played at the 1st Cloud Arena after it was confirmed the stadium sponsor deal has now come to an end.

A statement released on the club website on Wednesday read: “After over ten years of sponsorship with the club, 1st Cloud Accountants will no longer hold the naming rights to Mariners Park, with their deal coming to an end this month. The club and the accountancy firm have worked together since 2015, and they have held the naming rights for the Mariners’ home ground since 2020, as well as various advertising around Mariners Park.”

Mariners chairman Geoff Thompson said: "On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Steve and the team for their outstanding support over the past six years. Your backing has played an important part in our journey, both on and off the field, and your support has been genuinely appreciated by players, volunteers, members, and supporters alike."

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