Ian Watson praises Sunderland help as South Shields eye National League North promotion | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Ian Watson hailed Premier League neighbours Sunderland’s backing as his side prepare for Saturday’s National League North play-off final against Kidderminster Harriers.

The Mariners trained at the Academy of Light before last weekend’s semi-final, a session offered by the Black Cats hierarchy. A first-half penalty from Paul Blackett took them past Buxton, leaving Shields 90 minutes from the National League, and they have since returned to Sunderland for further work before the decider.

Watson had praised Sunderland ahead of the Buxton tie, and he has reiterated his admiration and gratitude as he aims to take the club within one promotion of the EFL.

He said Sunderland could not be thanked enough and described a club doing the right things for its community, with that ethos reflected in the help given to Shields.

He added that over the last two weeks his squad would have been lost without that support, stressing Sunderland did not need to assist but chose to, and he made clear how much it is appreciated.

Source: Sunderland Echo