Stephen Harrison named South Shields assistant after North East academy stints | OneFootball

Stephen Harrison has been appointed assistant head coach at South Shields, taking his first step into senior coaching under former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson. According to Sunderland Echo, the ex-Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough academy coach wants to draw on a rich blend of experience at the National League North club.

Harrison, a former North East non-league player, began coaching at Sunderland’s Academy of Light in 2004 and spent over 11 years there, working with Dan Neil and Bali Mumba.

He then moved to Newcastle, where he witnessed future Premier League players, before completing the region’s big three with a switch to Middlesbrough in August 2023.

He credits Wayne Walls and academy manager Ged McNamee at Sunderland with an outstanding grounding in player development that still shapes his approach.

At Newcastle he observed Elliot Anderson, Dan Barlaser, Sean Longstaff and Sean Neave emerging, and at Middlesbrough he praised academy manager Craig Liddle and head of coaching Chris Pennock for first-rate support of coaches.

Harrison believes that blend has taught him a lot about himself as a coach. He says he is still learning, aims to keep improving and is excited to get going with the Mariners.

Source: Sunderland Echo