Similair idea has already been discussed between club and supporters assoc.

and have to say one of your better posts Sir.

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http://www.southshieldsfc.org

Most interesting and after Friday evening's TV match good luck to FC United, for interest I am informed that the proposed new ground design plans are actually dated 2008, and are therefore not new. A rich benefactor, a benevolent Euro lottery winner or just a wealthy and kind hearted Shields ex pat who has made mega bucks in the States might just oblige our wish list ..... so here's hoping.

i think that shields are probably one of a handful of n.l. clubs that could operate @ a higher level.with the population being what it is they should be alot higher up the pyramid

Anyone familiar with the history of South Shields FC will know that its predecessor SSAFC was a founder member of the Northern Premier League in 1968, and one of the leading non-league clubs in the north, and operated from its base at Simonside Hall, until demise in 1974 when the club moved upriver and became Gateshead United. This sad, sorry and shameful episode has had lasting repercussions since, as the club reformed with absolutely nothing, neither ground, team, manager, committee or money and at a much lower level of football. Simonside Hall in the NPL era was to be redeveloped to accommodate a planned 40,000 capacity in preparation for an eventual return to the Football League, wherein the club was a member during the 1920's, a far cry indeed to being a paying tenant today at Filtrona Park, with gates of 250. The borough has a population of 86, 000, and the South Tyneside conurbation almost double that, as support catchment areas, notwithstanding the close proximity of the Stadium of Light, a mere few miles distant. When one recalls the likes of Wigan, Morecambe etc at Simonside Hall in the 1970's and in the 1920's the likes of Chelsea, Man U etc being visitors at a former ground of Horsely Hill, one can appreciate the dreams held by supporters of a return to a higher level of football. Financial resources are a prerequisite for ground purchase and subsequent redevelopment and upgrading to accommodate such a move and of a team with players of the necessary standard. There is no doubt that given these conditions South Shields could indeed emulate the likes of Durham City, Spennymoor United and Whitley Bay, perhaps one day such a dream may be realised...

This particular thread resonates with "Expectations" and puts a little more flesh on the bones for information and interest in a fellow Northern League club with a history worth reading..

seem to remember when i was a kid there was talk of developing horsley hill stadium .that never got off the ground either.could never figure out the reason for moving to gateshead.mind you, things seem to be moving on for gateshead but however i dont really think they could sustain league football there for very long.

The historic facts of the matter are that South Shields AFC moved to Simonside Hall in 1950 because of ongoing problems with the then greyhound racing owners of Horsely Hill, and some 20 years later when the latter was then no longer used as such, a move back was mooted. The sale of Simonside Hall to South Shields Council however went completely and utterly pear shaped in 1974 when Horsely Hill became no longer available for purchase by the club, and it was thereupon without a ground or the prospect of land to purchase within South Shields to develop other than the offered derelict Harton Colliery site. This transaction says legions for the business acumen of these gentlemen to say the least. As Gateshead FC by coincidence had gone bust, and as the board of directors of SSAFC were apparently unable or unwilling to unravel the sale of Simonside Hall to the council, ( even if that had been possible ) which had became the owners of both grounds, and took the club in its entirety with all effects to Gateshead and reformed there as Gateshead United FC at the offered Gateshead International Stadium. Both these fine grounds of Horsely Hill and Simonside Hall were rapidly developed as housing estates, and the rest as they say is history, and South Shields FC are where they are today, precisely because of 1974 .....

that person would be useful for me to know anarl...!

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Patience is a Virtue