Latest news with #SouthShields
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Carlisle United No2 lands non-league manager job
Former Carlisle United assistant boss Ian Watson has landed a non-league managerial role. He has been appointed boss of National League North club South Shields. The move sees Watson leave his coaching position at League Two club MK Dons. The 39-year-old replaces Elliott Dickman at the sixth-tier club. Watson had been part of Mike Williamson's coaching team at Brunton Park from last September. He remained at the club for a short period after Williamson's February sacking but then left early into Mark Hughes' tenure. Watson duly returned to MK Dons, having previously worked there alongside Williamson, as part of interim boss Ben Gladwin's caretaker side. The former Gateshead coach now moves into the hotseat for the first time at a club who finished 17th in National League North last season. South Shields described north east native Watson as "one of the brightest and most progressive young coaches in the country". Watson, centre, was part of Mike Williamson's backroom team at Carlisle (Image: Richard Parkes) In a statement, club owner Geoff Thompson said: "I'm delighted to welcome Ian to the club. "His track record and experience are exceptional, and I'm excited to see the progress the team will make under his leadership. "His appointment reflects our continued ambition to drive this club forward. This is just the first of many exciting developments on the horizon." South Shields said Watson emerged as their top choice after the vacancy attracted more than 50 applicants. South Shields FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Watson as our new Men's First Team Manager. Welcome to the Mariners, Ian ⚓️#SSFC #AlwaysReady — South Shields FC (@SouthShieldsFC) May 28, 2025 Sporting director Lee Picton added: "It's not just the calibre of his football and coaching brain that excites me, it's his abilities as a leader and a standard setter that make him the ideal appointment for SSFC in my opinion. "He also has a proven track record in operating very shrewdly in the transfer market, while adding enormous value to players who are already in the building. Hughes: Carlisle United will be 'cup final' for National League rivals "Despite 50+ applications from all over the world for the role, Ian quickly became our number one choice due to his outstanding skill set, highly aligned values, along with proven on-field results and we are delighted to get him on board with us to help facilitate our next stage of growth as a club." South Shields' squad includes the former Carlisle loan midfielder Martin Smith. Another ex-Blue, former Brunton Park youth defender Dillon Morse, was released by the club this summer. MK Dons, who recently appointed Paul Warne as their new boss, wished Watson well with sporting director Liam Sweeting - who almost joined Carlisle last season - saying: "His connection with the players and his genuine passion for this club were evident every single day. "While we would have loved for him to stay with us, he starts his own journey of leadership, and I very much look forward to watching this next chapter of his career. 'As we often see, good people join our journey and really connect with this club – Busty [Watson] certainly did that. I thank him for all his efforts during his time with us.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Ferry skipper father shows son the ropes
A new recruit on the Shields Ferry is proving to be a chip off the old block by following in his father's footsteps. Stephen Beck joined the passenger ferry which links North and South Shields across the River Tyne as second mate and is in training to pass the maritime equivalent of a driving test Among those showing him the ropes is his father - also Stephen - who has 30 years of experience as the craft's skipper. The 23-year-old said it was great to be able to tap into all that knowledge. Mr Beck Sr, 61 and from Gateshead, said: "The ferries must be in the blood, because he really has the knack of driving them. "He's a chip off the old block. "I've been showing him the ropes, as I do with all our new recruits, and it does seem like he's got this natural ability for the job. "It's brilliant that the ferry-driving baton is being passed from father to son in our family." Mr Beck Jr, also from Gateshead, added: "Part of the appeal of the job was a chance to work with my dad. "He has huge experience and knowledge of the ferry - it's great that I've been able to tap into that. "He's not too much of a taskmaster...I'd say firm but fair so far, he's not had to tell me off for anything just yet." He added: "It was a bit daunting at first, getting behind the controls of the ferry with your dad at your shoulder giving the lesson. "It's a bit like learning to drive a car, once you get the hang of it you're absolutely fine." Operator Nexus said it was the first time it had such a family connection and it was heartwarming to see how proud they were to work together. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. 'A lot of people think I'm related to Sting' Cayman Islands weatherman gets new job on Tyne ferry Nexus
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Shields ferry skipper shows trainee son ropes
A new recruit on the Shields Ferry is proving to be a chip off the old block by following in his father's Beck joined the passenger ferry which links North and South Shields across the River Tyne as second mate and is in training to pass the maritime equivalent of a driving testAmong those showing him the ropes is his father - also Stephen - who has 30 years of experience as the craft's 23-year-old said it was great to be able to tap into all that knowledge. Mr Beck Sr, 61 and from Gateshead, said: "The ferries must be in the blood, because he really has the knack of driving them. "He's a chip off the old block."I've been showing him the ropes, as I do with all our new recruits, and it does seem like he's got this natural ability for the job. "It's brilliant that the ferry-driving baton is being passed from father to son in our family." 'Bit daunting' Mr Beck Jr, also from Gateshead, added: "Part of the appeal of the job was a chance to work with my dad. "He has huge experience and knowledge of the ferry - it's great that I've been able to tap into that."He's not too much of a taskmaster...I'd say firm but fair so far, he's not had to tell me off for anything just yet."He added: "It was a bit daunting at first, getting behind the controls of the ferry with your dad at your shoulder giving the lesson."It's a bit like learning to drive a car, once you get the hang of it you're absolutely fine." Operator Nexus said it was the first time it had such a family connection and it was heartwarming to see how proud they were to work together. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
'Complex' South Shields sinkhole repairs continue
A section of a street which was damaged when a sinkhole appeared remains cordoned off nearly four months later amid "complex" of Broughton Road in South Shields collapsed in late January, damaging several vehicles and leaving residents shocked. Councillor Ernest Gibson, lead member for neighbourhoods and climate change at South Tyneside Council, said repair work was "very complex" and required "full and thorough" analysis of underground added the local authority was committed to reopening the road as soon as possible, although no dates have been confirmed yet. "Contractors and machinery remain on site at this time," Gibson sinkhole was noticed at about 05:30 GMT on 27 January when car alarms in the affected street went off. No-one was reported to be Tyneside Council leader, Labour's Tracey Dixon, previously said she had "no idea" what caused the road to thanked residents for their patience and understanding as the council continued work towards a permanent repair."Restoring the road and footpath involves deep excavations and assessments, before rebuilding the layers and backfilling the hole," he added."It is being planned and designed to take into account workers' safety, the structural integrity of surrounding buildings and foundations and the impact on the underground sewer and utilities." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Football fan nets £136k dream car and cash hours before team reaches play-off final
A Sunderland fan has netted a dream car and cash prize worth £136,000 - just hours before celebrating his team's dramatic play-off semi-final win. Ian Heslop, from South Shields, won a £86,000 Range Rover D300 Dynamic SE in BOTB's weekly Dream Car Competition. The 51-year-old couldn't contain his laughter when the BOTB team rolled up to his doorstep with his new set of wheels earlier in the week. BOTB Ian Heslop (Image: BOTB) 'No way! I can't believe it,' he giggled. 'This is just fabulous! I've come close to winning a couple of times, but you never actually think it's going to happen to you. What an amazing surprise.' The win came just hours before Ian and his son watched their beloved Sunderland beat Coventry in the Championship play-off semi-final, with a nail-biting 3-2 win on aggregate sealed in the dying seconds. 'It was an amazing day. I was shocked to win the car. It's not every day you win something like this. 'Then to win the football in such dramatic fashion was the icing on the cake. It's fair to say I was on cloud nine. 'It's one of the best experiences I've had in football, and it was even more special with my son being there.' 'I love the Range Rovers,' Ian said. 'They have such a great reputation, and I love the classy look of them and all the tech.' Ian, who works as an estate planning consultant, got to sit in the driver's seat and start up the engine. But the surprises didn't end there, as a £50,000 cash prize was also hiding in the boot. Recommended Reading: Bodies of dogs were 'almost mummified' after being left to starve to death by owner County Durham cocaine dealer caught out by incriminating phone messages HMP Frankland: KC appointed to lead review after guards 'doused in oil' and 'stabbed' 'Can I touch it?' he joked. Despite his love of the car, Ian said he was planning on taking the cash alternative as he and his family are moving house. 'It's a tough decision, but this is the right decision for us just now,' he said. Looking ahead to the play-off final at Wembley on May 24, Ian has made a bold prediction - Sunderland to beat Sheffield United 2-1.
