Shaw hails Shields fans as the best

Shaw, 36, started his playing days in the second tier with hometown club Sheffield Wednesday before really finding his feet with Burton Albion in the Conference.

The striker joined Shields in the summer of 2016 after leaving National League side Gateshead, and was appointed captain ahead of the 2018/19 season.

In their last game, South Shields hosted FC United, with 3,274 supporters in attendance on the day, and the club have revealed that more than 200 season tickets have already been sold for the 2020/21 campaign.

“The fans here have been outstanding since I got here,” said Shaw.

“The first season I was here was step five, and there were over 1,000 every week and then 16,000 at Wembley.

“This year they’ve still followed us home and away off the back of last year’s disappointment at not going up, and then they’re showing their commitment with the season ticket sales.

“They’re easily one of the best groups of supporters I’ve played in front of.

"I’ve had spells as captain at other clubs and it’s always an honour and proud moment to be asked to lead a team and then to go and do it week in week out.

"Here at Shields, I’m in a fantastic dressing room under great management and ownership and the size of the support makes wearing the armband even more special."