South Shields are based at Mariners Park and have become one of the North East’s strongest non-league clubs. The Mariners rebuilt after financial collapse, won the FA Vase and climbed through the pyramid with large crowds, strong local backing and ambitions to reach the EFL.
The 1st Cloud Arena, still widely known as Mariners Park, is South Shields' home on Shaftesbury Avenue in Jarrow. It is a modernised non-league ground that has developed quickly alongside the club's rise, and it has a much more polished feel than many older Step 2 venues.
The ground is compact but well presented, with the main seated Wolf Competitions Stand along one side and a mixture of covered standing, open standing and hard standing around the rest of the pitch. The clubhouse, fan facilities and modern turnstile arrangements give the stadium a professional matchday feel, while the close-to-the-pitch layout keeps the atmosphere tight.
For National League North, South Shields is one of the stronger matchday venues. The ground regularly handles healthy crowds, and for bigger fixtures the club can operate clear segregation using separate away entrances and allocated standing or seating areas.
A local Tyneside-area rivalry with Gateshead’s senior non-league profile meeting South Shields’ ambitious rise.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
Away arrangements at South Shields depend on the fixture. When segregation is in place, visiting supporters have previously been allocated standing tickets in the South West corner of the ground, with away entry via Gates 3 and 4 on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Away supporters who require seating have also previously been directed towards seats in the Black Block of the Wolf Competitions Stand. This means South Shields can offer both standing and seated away options when the fixture is managed that way, although availability should always be checked before travelling.
For lower-risk fixtures, South Shields may operate without segregation, with visiting supporters able to move more freely around the ground. For bigger away followings, expect a clear away allocation, specific entrances and stewards directing supporters to the correct area.
Use the A1/A194 then A183/A1300, then head towards South Shields. the stadium is on the town side of South Tyneside.
Use the A19 north through the Tyne Tunnel, then connect to the A194/A183. allow extra time at the tunnel.
Use the A183 coastal roads from Sunderland, then follow South Shields signs. coastal traffic can be slow.
Use the A194 from Gateshead/Jarrow, then head into South Shields. use signed routes and avoid residential streets where possible.
Bede Metro is the best rail option for South Shields. National rail supporters should change at Newcastle Central, Sunderland or Heworth for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Bede is one of the better Metro stops for the 1st Cloud Arena.
Leave Bede Metro station and follow the main pedestrian route towards the 1st Cloud Arena. Head towards the stadium through the local roads around the industrial and residential area. Use main roads and pavements.
Allow around 15 to 20 minutes on foot. Check the exact ground entrance before travelling, especially where segregation or matchday access changes.
Newcastle Airport is the clear choice for South Shields. Use the Tyne and Wear Metro from the airport through Newcastle and across to the South Shields branch, then continue to Bede or the most suitable local stop.
The whole route can be done on local public transport, which makes it much easier than using airports outside the region.
Teesside is a fallback only if flights work particularly well. You would need to reach Darlington or Middlesbrough, then connect north by rail and Metro.
For most supporters, Newcastle Airport is much more practical.
Go North East route 20 links Sunderland, Durham and South Shields, making it useful if you are approaching from the south or staying in Sunderland. It brings you into South Shields rather than directly to the stadium.
From town, use Metro, local bus or taxi for the final leg to the 1st Cloud Arena.
Stagecoach E1 and E2 are useful South Shields and coastal local services to check if you are travelling from the seafront, Sunderland side or local accommodation.
For most away fans, the Metro to Bede or South Shields will be simpler, but these buses help with local movement.
Dean Taxis cover South Shields and South Tyneside, useful for journeys from Metro stations, hotels or the seafront to the 1st Cloud Arena.
A taxi is useful for the final leg if the nearest Metro stop is inconvenient.
Station Taxis are another local South Shields option for matchday journeys and late returns.
Pre-booking is recommended for evening matches.
The 1st Cloud Arena has matchday parking around the stadium and nearby facilities, but availability can vary. Follow club signs and steward directions once you reach the ground.
Expect a small matchday charge where parking is managed. It is convenient, but arrive early for bigger crowds.
Bede Metro area parking can work as a park-and-walk option if you want to avoid the immediate stadium car park. Check signs carefully because station and local parking may have restrictions.
This is useful if you are combining the match with Metro travel. Leave time for the walk and final approach.
The Marine is a useful pub option for South Shields, giving travelling supporters a named place to aim for rather than just drifting around the stadium streets. It works best if you arrive early enough to check matchday entry and move on to the ground without rushing.
As with all pubs at this level, access can change by fixture, police advice or crowd size, so it is worth checking the latest reviews or the pub's own channels before travelling.
The Steamboat is a useful pub option for South Shields, giving travelling supporters a named place to aim for rather than just drifting around the stadium streets. It works best if you arrive early enough to check matchday entry and move on to the ground without rushing.
As with all pubs at this level, access can change by fixture, police advice or crowd size, so it is worth checking the latest reviews or the pub's own channels before travelling.
Colmans Seafood Temple is a good food option around South Shields, useful for supporters who want something more reliable than a random takeaway close to kick-off. It is best suited to early arrivals or overnight trips where you have time to sit down properly.
Book ahead for evening or Saturday fixtures where the place is restaurant-style rather than a quick-service stop.
Zeera South Shields is a good food option around South Shields, useful for supporters who want something more reliable than a random takeaway close to kick-off. It is best suited to early arrivals or overnight trips where you have time to sit down properly.
Book ahead for evening or Saturday fixtures where the place is restaurant-style rather than a quick-service stop.
Little Haven Hotel is a practical hotel option for an away trip to South Shields. It works well as a base if you are staying overnight and using a taxi, local bus or walk to reach the ground depending on distance.
Prices can move sharply around weekends and events, so compare rates before booking.
South Shields is one of the better-supported clubs at this level, so arrive early for bigger fixtures. The ground is in a residential area around Shaftesbury Avenue, and local parking can become busy when crowds are high.
Public transport is a good option, with the wider South Tyneside Metro network making the area easier to reach than many non-league grounds. Drivers should park considerately and allow time to walk from surrounding streets if the immediate area is full.
For atmosphere, the covered standing areas are usually the liveliest parts of the ground. Neutral supporters wanting comfort should look towards the seated stand. Away fans should check whether they need Gates 3 and 4 or a specific South West corner allocation before setting off.
South Shields sell tickets online for many fixtures, with seating and standing options sometimes handled separately. For segregated matches, visiting supporters may receive a specific away standing allocation, with seated options available in a named block of the main stand where offered.
Away fans should buy the correct away ticket if segregation is in place. Previous away guidance has directed travelling supporters to Gates 3 and 4 and to a South West corner standing allocation, so the ticket category and entrance instructions matter.
For neutral supporters, seated tickets in the main stand are the best option for comfort, while standing tickets give a more traditional non-league experience. For larger fixtures, buying online in advance is strongly recommended.
South Shields operate standard football ground regulations. Supporters should use the correct entrance, follow steward instructions and remain in the allocated area if segregation is in place.
For segregated fixtures, away supporters should use the away gates specified in the match information, commonly Gates 3 and 4 on Shaftesbury Avenue when that arrangement is in use.
Inside the stadium, payment methods can vary between bars and kiosks. Recent away information has stated that only the downstairs clubhouse bar accepted cash, while other indoor bar areas were card only and food kiosks accepted card and cash.
South Shields accessibility arrangements should be checked with the club before travelling, especially for away supporters attending a segregated fixture. Disabled supporters have been listed as qualifying for concessionary rates, with carer arrangements available depending on whether the carer requires a seat.
For segregated matches, away supporters needing seating have previously been directed to the Black Block of the Wolf Competitions Stand rather than the standing away area. This should be confirmed before buying tickets.
Supporters needing accessible parking, step-free access or carer-ticket support should contact the club in advance, because arrangements can vary depending on whether the fixture is segregated.
Regular public stadium tours are not normally advertised at the 1st Cloud Arena. Although South Shields have a modernised and well-supported ground for this level, there is no clear evidence of a standard public stadium tour product.
Supporters interested in group visits, community access or special arrangements should contact South Shields directly, but for most visitors the best way to experience Mariners Park is on a matchday.
Arbeia Roman Fort is one of the better things to do around South Shields if you are making more of the away day than just the match. It is best for early arrivals, families, or supporters staying overnight.
Check opening times before travelling, especially outside the main tourist season or for evening fixtures.
Official club website. Use this for the latest club news, fixture information, tickets, supporter notices and matchday updates.