Chairman cheers big guns booking

Three of the most recognisable names in football, they confirmed they are sending their U23s sides to kick off in the inaugural South Shields FC International Tournament at Mariners Park over the last weekend in July at the end of last week.

The action on South Tyneside gets underway on Friday 27 July when Scottish giants Celtic take on French side Marseille in a 7.30pm kick-off with the Mariners facing facing Southampton the following day at 3pm before the third and fourth placed play-off and final kick off on the Sunday at 1pm and 5pm respectively.

Thompson said: “We are delighted to reveal details of the South Shields FC International Tournament. To attract clubs of the size of Celtic, Marseille and Southampton to Mariners Park is a massive coup for the club and I’m sure it will generate a lot of excitement with our supporters.

“It promises to be a festival of football as we make new friends from clubs we would once never have even dreamt of coming up against. We also look forward to welcoming supporters of each of the three clubs to Mariners Park, where there is sure to be a friendly atmosphere which all of the family will enjoy."

He added: “It’s not every day that clubs of this stature come to Mariners Park so we’re sure our own fans will also make the most of it. We’re confident it will a memorable weekend for all connected with the club.”

South Shields joint managers Lee Picton and Graham Fenton believe the opposition will provide a real test for the Mariners following their second successive promotion to the EVO-STIK League's top flight a year after lifting the FA Vase as Northern League champions.

He told the club's website: “The tournament at Mariners Park will provide a really high level of tactical and physical test for the squad, which will be vital in order to prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead next season.

“We will be looking at quite a high number of new players within our squad and it will be really interesting for myself and Graham [Fenton] to see how they, along with our returning players of course, deal with those challenges.”

The Mariners, who are offering hospitality and sponsorship packages for the tournament, are planning to announce a series of ticket offers including family and weekend passes. For more information visit: southshieldsfc.co.uk.

Images courtesy of @SouthShieldsFC/Twitter

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