Former South Shields FC youngsters join Morpeth Town and Blyth Spartans
Louis Burns and Ewan McGowan were released by South Shields last month.
Two former South Shields FC youngsters have joined Northern Premier League East Division clubs after leaving the Mariners.
Young striker Louis Burns has become one of three new additions at Morpeth Town as he joins experienced midfielder Sam Hodgson and former Jarrow striker Adam Lennox in joining the Highwaymen. The 17-year-old made his National League North debut as a late substitute in a 2-0 defeat at Leamington in the final month of the 2024/25 season and grabbed his first senior for the Mariners goal in a Durham Challenge Cup defeat against Northern League Division Two side Durham United.
However, his first regular experience of senior football came during loan spells with NPL East clubs Blyth Spartans and Ashington, with Burns seeing out the season and his Mariners career in the colours of the latter. He has now joined Morpeth as they aim to bounce back from relegation and manager Craig Lynch is looking forward to seeing what the youngster can do during his time at Craik Park.
He said: “Louis is a player who wants to get in the box and create chances. He’s a young player who wants to impress. He will be a forward player who will excite fans.”
That comes just a week after another former Mariners youngsters, midfielder Ewan McGowan, joined Morpeth’s Northumberland neighbours Blyth Spartans. The 20-year-old has made 20 National League North appearances for South Shields after making his league debut in a 3-0 defeat at Hereford on the opening day of the 2024/25 season - but he spent the majority of last season on loan at Consett. He has now put pen-to-paper on a deal at Spartans and he will hope to help the Croft Park club enjoy a more positive campaign after the successfully battled to avoid a third consecutive relegation last season.
Speaking after completing the signing, Spartans manager Marc Nash said: “He's a young player who's always impressed me with his technical ability and skill. He travels well with the ball and excellent at finding pockets of space. Being left footed gives us more balance as well. He's hungry to impress and keen to kick-start his senior career after some loan spells.”
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