Will shows the way for South Shields academy hopefuls after penning new deal - Watson

South Shields manager Ian Watson believes in-form midfielder Will Jenkins ‘epitomises everything he wants from his players’ as the Mariners chase promotion into the National League this season.

The academy graduate has recently penned a new long-term deal at the 1st Cloud Arena and has spoken of his delight over the club’s progress during Watson’s first season in charge. Jenkins has become an integral figure within the Mariners squad and has shown why he became so highly rated with the South Shields setup after enjoying productive loan spells with Dunston UTS and Morpeth Town.

Despite being the subject of tentative interest from EFL clubs, Jenkins will remain a key part of Watson’s side and the Mariners boss believes the all-action midfielder can help guide his side one step closer towards League Two in the near future.

He told The Gazette: “Jenks has impressed me so much since I came to the club and I can’t believe he hasn’t been at an EFL or Premier League academy all of the way through. South Shields have done such a good job with the loans he has had during his time with the club and his ceiling for progression is so high.

“He will one million percent play in the EFL at some point and it’s our job to make sure it’s with us. We are delighted he is with us and he is part of a journey that has taken him from the academy to taking the club towards where we all want to be. We are just building everything around him, he epitomises everything I want from my players and how I want them to be.”

Journey

Jenkins’ progress from academy hopeful to first-team stalwart should act as motivation for a number of Mariners youngsters hoping to follow a similar path over the coming months and years. However, Watson has stressed the first-team hopefuls within the South Shields ranks must realise the commitment and work ethic Jenkins has displayed over the last three years and warned they must be prepared to hit similar levels to earn a place within his squad.

He said: “It’s a double edged sword because they see this guy who has come through academy and into the first team and they think that’s what they want to do. So it’s a case of let’s get into the academy and do what he has done. But then you see just how good he is and what it takes to get to where he is. You see how hard he works, they’re the levels the young lads have to hit so now they know. It’s perfect for us because you see his journey, you see how tough he’s worked and that means our academy players can strive to get on that same journey.”

Watson received further good news earlier this week when it was confirmed Wigan Athletic have agreed to extend goalkeeper Tom Watson’s loan deal until the end of the season.

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