Season 2023/24 Vanarama National League North
League - Going into the season I knew we had a strong squad, one of the main advantages of being South Shields is they are full time from the off and have a good sized squad. Target was playoffs for me but we pretty quickly found ourselves in title battle with Altrincham, while we were top for the entire battle they were always within a few points of us meaning we could never settle. The season came down to the final 2 months, going into it Altrincham had only lost 3 times all season (twice against us) while we had lost 5 but drawn less, it was in this period we put on the afterburners and won 9 of our final 12 games (drawing the other 3) while Altrincham (who had to play 2 games more than us) only won 6 and lost 5 to finish 3rd in a 2 horse race leaving us to cruise to the title with a new league record 108 points
FA Cup - a decent run where we made the first round proper but lost to League 2 Rochdale. 3-0 was harsh as their 2nd and 3rd goals came in the final 2 minutes as we pushed for a goal
FA Trophy - another good run here as we made the quarter finals before not turning up on the day against Halifax
Transfers - none in and just the one out
Squad - It's a big squad for this level but does give me decent cover pretty much every where
Finances - they're not great but that's not a shock
Youth Intake - well the preview looked promising and it turned out OK. I try not to get too excited about these players so early on as I'm still in the process of building the youth side of the club but I still tagged 6 players
Callam Barras YP01A - his finishing is poor but could be a decent pressing forward or even DLF for us in time Quinn Heardman YP01B - wing back (which I don't play and neither does my HoYD so no idea how he came through) but he's already trained in the RB position so can add some depth there Johnni Jorgensen YP01C - A promising CB Adam Joyce YP01D - we need depth at CM and he provides it Aboubacar Diallo YP01E - Same as above really. If one, or both ideally, progress then should be squad options for us Dion Thomas YP01F - another wing back, and on the same bloody side, but looking now I think he could be the better player in the end if he can overcome his less than ideal personality
Career Overview
Season League Position Note’s & Achievements
2023/24 NLN 1st Promotion as champions, first coaching badge