South Shields have confirmed former Newcastle United and Wolves defender Mike Williamson has taken up a role as their new first-team coach.
The move comes after the Mariners announced another former Magpie, Matty Pattison, has stepped down from the same role to ‘pursue matters away from football’.
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Williamson will reunited with current Mariners boss Ian Watson at the National League North leaders after the duo worked together at MK Dons, Carlisle United and Gateshead over the last decade.
Williamson kicked off his own managerial career with the Heed as he and Watson helped the International Stadium club recover from an enforced relegation into the second tier of the non-league game during the summer of 2019.
With Watson as his assistant, the former Magpies centre-back guided the Tynesiders to the National League North title, three appearances in the proper rounds of the FA Cup and a first ever appearance in the FA Trophy final.
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There was disappointment as silverware remained out of reach with a Wembley defeat against FC Halifax Town – but Williamson and Watson’s achievements with Gateshead had attracted attention from suitors in League One and League Two.
MK Dons won the race for their services as they were appointed as the League Two club’s new managerial team in October 2023 before moving on to Carlisle United just under a year later.
Their Brunton Park reign came to a close after five months and the duo went their separate ways as Watson was appointed as South Shields boss and Williamson was named as part of first-team coach at Rangers after being persuaded to move to Ibrox by former Wycombe team-mate Russell Martin.
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Williamson departed after just three months with the Scottish giants – but he will now return to the game and reunite with Watson after taking up a first-team coach role with South Shields on a voluntary basis.
Williamson’s first game with his new club will come on Saturday when the National League North leaders host Leamington at the 1st Cloud Arena – and Watson is looking forward to getting back into action after two weeks without a fixture.
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He said: “It feels like a while since we’ve had a game and it’s only been one weekend but we are just really looking forward to being back at home.
“It’s like we’ve had a mini break in the middle of the season and that’s a good thing and I think it was needed for everyone. We are looking forward to the second half of the season and we know opposition will be a little bit better because of our league position but that is something we thrive on.
“We look at every game as an opportunity, we are in really good form and we are really focused on Leamington on Saturday by making sure training is perfect, the preparations are perfect and getting our game perfect.”
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The Mariners could hand a debut to Middlesbrough youngster Sonny Finch after he joined the club on loan until the end of the season.