South Shields FC – who play at the 1st Cloud Arena stadium which is right next to the Tyne and Wear Metro station at Bede – have taken a break from their promotion push from the Vanarama National League North to present Nexus with a special commemorative shirt to help celebrate 40 years of the South Tyneside line.
The claret and blue shirt features the number 40 and the name “Metro” and was presented to Nexus on the same day that players and coaching staff from the team took a trip out onto the system. This was all part of a bid to get more supporters to attend South Shields games by travelling on the Metro.
Huw Lewis, Nexus Customer Services Director, said: “We’re honoured to receive this 40th anniversary tribute from our friends at South Shields Football Club. Metro plays such an important role in the communities it serves, and that’s particularly the case for the Mariners, whose ground is just a few minutes away from Bede Metro station. It’s situated so close to our lines you can even see the pitch from on board the train when you pass by.
“Many South Shields supporters rely on Metro to get to their home games, and that’s never been more so the case since the club has entered such a resurgent new era. Our thanks go to the club, the players, and the management for presenting us with this commemorative home shirt to mark our 40 years of serving the borough of South Tyneside.
“We wish them well for the rest of the season.”
Tyne and Wear Metro are partnering with the football club for their last home game of the season on Saturday 20th April when they will be playing Southport. A bumper crowd is expected as South Shields look to try and secure a place in the Play Offs and to earn the right to challenge for promotion to the National League.
South Shields FC are encouraging fans to take the Metro to the game to avoid traffic congestion. Anyone travelling on the Metro can use the Pop Pay As You Go card to save money on their transport to the game whilst also helping to make a greener transport choice.
Carl Mowatt, Operations Director at South Shields FC, said: “It’s paramountthat we support each other from a business community, to help each other’s growth.
“From the club, we are growing in attendances, and as we are all doing our bit to help our carbon footprint, that we encourage our fans and staff to use public transport more frequently, in particular the Metro with easy access to the ground from Bede station in a five-minute walk to the entrance of 1st Cloud Arena.
“Our partnership is growing, with the continued support in sponsorship from Nexus and the ongoing relationship with the transport link and the club.”
The South Tyneside Metro line opened in March 1984 and since then has carried 200 million passengers.