Kevin Phillips leaves South Shields

The news came just 30 minutes after the Mariners’ final league game of the season, which saw them beaten 3-0 at Stafford Rangers.

They will be playing in the National League North next season, after finishing top of the Northern Premier League by an eight-point margin.

Phillips joined the club in January 2022. They finished second in his first season, losing in the play-off semi-finals against Warrington Town.

The Mariners were able to go one better in Phillips' first full season in charge, but but he will now depart the club to move onto pastures new.

“I feel that this is the right time for me to depart, for a number of reasons,” Phillips said.

“To be manager of South Shields has been an amazing experience and I’m very grateful for everything Geoff has done during my time at the club.

“I’ve given my heart and soul to this club and I’m disappointed to leave, but I’ve been in football a long time and I know things can change very quickly.

“I was brought here to do a job and I did it, and although I’d have loved to have taken it further, circumstances have changed and I’ll be supporting the club in the next phase of its journey from afar.”

Chairman Geoff Thompson added: “This has been a very difficult decision to come to, particularly given the successful season we have just enjoyed.

“We are hugely grateful to Kevin for his work over the last 15 months and the role he has played in delivering a promotion we have been striving for since 2018.

“He will always hold a special place in our history and we wish him nothing but success in his career.”

Photo Credit: Kev Wilson