Mariners into final with 'really special' support

South Shields' fans have been thanked for their support this season as the club prepares for Saturday's National League North play-off final.

The Mariners will face Kidderminster Harriers on home turf having overcome Buxton 1-0 in their semi-final.

A win would see them promoted to the National League - one level below the English Football League.

Manager Ian Watson said the backing from supporters had been "really special" and a crowd of 4,000, including 1,200 from Kidderminster, is expected this weekend.

South Shields finished second in the league, five points behind champions Fylde and eight in front of this weekend's opponents who were third.

Harriers, though, won both games between the clubs, with the second being played at Kidderminster just over a week ago.

Watson told BBC Radio Newcastle on Monday: "The fire's burning in our belly to put that right.

"We're going into the game as underdogs, strangely enough, because we finished higher in the league but they've beaten us twice and I think they've won their last six or seven games in a row."

Watson said the build-up would involve trying to "manage the boys' emotional state".

"We definitely got a bit too intense and anxious at times [against Buxton] and it led to the game going away from us.

"Going into Saturday, their batteries will be totally recharged and we'll help them this week as much as we can, hoping they can remain calm at the right moments and are prepared and ready to go."

The match will kick-off at the 1st Cloud Arena at 12:30 BST.

"I've had a few requests for tickets, but we only get allocated so many each so I've had to tell a few people that I couldn't get them," Watson added.

"The community's really jumped on how well the club's done this year. It's felt like its built up since we played Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.

"It's feels like we've had some really big games against Macclesfield and Fylde and they've always filled it up with 3,000 there on both occasions.

"We can't thank the supporters enough for how much they've backed us and been with us this season.

"It's meant a lot, it's been really special."

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