Former Newcastle and Sunderland prospects handed South Shields chance in pre-season | OneFootball

Two former Newcastle United and Sunderland academy players featured for South Shields in a pre-season win at Blyth Town. According to Sunderland Echo, the Mariners are assessing the pair as Mike Williamson builds for the new National League North season.

Goalkeeper Will Anderson and midfielder Marshall Burke came on at half-time and have trained with South Shields over the last week.

Burke, released by Sunderland a month ago, looked composed in the second 45 minutes at Gateway Park. The 21-year-old played for the club’s under-18s and under-21s in recent seasons, making only a handful of under-21 appearances last term as the professional deal he signed in summer 2023 expired.

Anderson, who turns 18 this week, replaced Mariners number one Jasper Sheik at the interval. He was released by Newcastle last month after a regular run with their under-18s in 2024/25, and had nine unused substitute outings for the under-21s.

Williamson has already added left-back Jordan Marshall from The New Saints, midfielders Khanya Lashabela and Toby Onanaye, and former Woking striker Sam Ashford. He also secured Adam Campbell before Friday’s opener, having played with him at Newcastle and later including him in Gateshead’s National League title-winning squad four years ago. Departures for Martin Smith, Dan Ward and Will Jenkins mean there is still work to do before his first season at Mariners Park.

Source: Sunderland Echo