2001news

HAMPSHIRE BRANCH MASCOT

Friday 20th April 2001
South Shields Gazette

    South Shields will have some extra support at Filtrona Park tomorrow by way of a contingent from their Hampshire Supporters Club Branch.
    The eight-strong party making the 600-mile round trip will be doing more than merely adding vocal support - they'll also be sponsoring the game.
    And they'll also be providing the mascot for the day, with nine-year-old Amy McGlead from Southampton leading theteam out in front of her Tyneside-based friends and family.

Wednesday 25th April 01

SOUTH SHIELDS GAZETTE

    The Hampshire Branch of the South Shields Supporters Association were in town at the weekend to sponsor the Mariners' home match with Esh Winning.
    They brought up nine-year-old Amy McGreal from Southampton as mascot, pictured above leading the teams out before Shields' 5 - 2 defeat.
    And they'll no doubt be back again next year on another 600-mile round trip to cheer on their heroes.
     But how many of the current crop of players - pictured below before Saturday's defeat- will be there when they arrive.
    That decision will be down to new manager, Matt Pearson and his assistant David Hall, who take over at the end of the season.
    The duo have been keeping a watching brief since their appointment last month, and will continue for the remaining four league games and Craven Cup semi-final at Prudoe - and hopefully the final.

Monday 23rd April 2001

SOUTH SHIELDS GAZETTE

SPORTS LETTERS
    So South Shields Football Club appear to behaving another indifferent season.
    Crowds are down - no surprise there. It's Catch 22 ofcourse. Give our local clubs the support through the gate and this will give them the finance to attract better players and hopefully bring success.
    I am not downhearted. Ourmembers here in Hampshire are stillasking about results as though they are interested, and the chairman of the club is still talking big plans!
    He's talking ground improvements and what we'll do when we are promoted. Nirvana beckons.
    Filtrona Park may not be the most attractive of venues to spend a Saturday afternoon, but still it has a few things going for it.
    For one thing the terrace is still in full working order, the mojor benefit being of course that you can stand next to whoever you want.
    Non-league football also has an advantage in that it is open to anyone with less than a £30,000 salary. An investment of £2.50 and you are in!
    Perhaps best of all, if you have a gripe, you don't have to be patronised on local or even national radio in the vain hope that the object of your wrath will be listening..
    Instead you simply have to confront them in the club bar and suggest that whilst you respect their ability as a double-glazing salesman, master butcher or whatever, these are not neccessarily the attributes required to run a football team.
    More seriously, it is fairly obvious that none of our local clubs will be able to progress either on or off the field unless there is more support from local people through the gate or through increased sponsorship.
    All clubs want success, I believe that the people of Shields would be very happy to see their town team achieve some measure of success.
    Why not see if you can help them achieve it.

Dave Rowlings
Secretary
Hampshire Branch
SSFC Supporters Association


Bob Scott & Adam Rundle on the gate	Gives canny portions . .	Goal nets as supplied by the Hampshire Branch

Hampshire Branch Lasses -	. . does our Janet!	Bob Scott in the new away shirt from the Hampshire branch

and Lads Commemorative pictures	Anne Fall behind the bar at Filtrona	Lisa & John celebrate yet another victory

Hampshire Branch links & donations

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