Mike Williamson delivers transfer update after South Shields FC friendly win

Mike Williamson has admitted he is keen to add further strengthen his South Shields FC squad - but stressed no new signings are ‘immediate’. The former Newcastle United and Wolves defender has already completed five new signings during the summer after securing deals for left-back Jordan Marshall, midfield duo Khanya Lashabala and Toby Onanaye and forwards Adam Campbell and Sam Ashford. Only the latter didn’t feature during Friday’s 2-0 win in a pre-season friendly at Northern League Division One club Blyth Town as the former Woking forward works towards full fitness after arriving in the North East earlier this month. Williamson did take an opportunity to assess a number of trialists and academy players during the second-half of the win in Northumberland as his side made a solid start to their preparations for the new National League North season. New additions remain high on the agenda for the Mariners boss as he remains determined to build on the ‘solid base’ left behind by former management team Ian Watson and Carl Magnay following their departure to League Two newcomers Rochdale. He told The Gazette: “I wouldn’t there is anything is immediate - but with the nature of it, we are still wanting to improve the squad. I am really happy with where we are. The lads have been brilliant so far and coming in as head coach after being here last season, it’s just really pleasing to come in with a solid base within the squad and just back up the work Ian and Carl did last season. I feel we have added further quality and we are in a good place.” Williamson handed a start to his former Newcastle United team-mate Campbell in Friday’s friendly at Gateway Park as versatile forward got 45 minutes under his belt during the win. The new Mariners boss utilised Campbell in a number of attacking roles during their time together at Gateshead and Williamson hinted he is likely to follow a similar path throughout the new season. He said: “You know what you’re going to get with AC because he’s got that quality, he’s got a good footballing brain and he’s got composure on the ball. It was a difficult pitch to play on and I think that was a bit of a leveller but the lads’ attitudes were brilliant. I was delighted with AC, he’s a cultural architect and we will lean on him because he’s as robust as he was when he was 18 so we know we will get a lot of game-time out of him. “It is hard to pin him down in a position because he goes off on a wander and you want him to have that license to do so. He can find pockets of space and he has the intelligence to do that. For me, it’s about having versatile attacking players and making sure everyone understands their roles and how they have to work together and AC will be a big part of that.” Your next South Shields read: Exclusive: South Shields FC set for major boost as striker Paul Blackett close to signing long-term deal