Non-league notebook: Key signings, friendly dates and all the non-league movers and shakers; All the latest from the North East non-league football scene.
Byline: nechronicle
South Shields have confirmed that their pre-season friendly against Sunderland is a sell-out.
The game takes place at Mariners Park on Thursday, 11 July and supporters of both clubs have snapped up the allocations of tickets.
That means that a crowd of 3,300 will see the Mariners get their preparations for the new Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division season underway againstJack Ross' side.
The Mariners have also announced that academy midfielders Arron Thompson and Callum Guy have signed first-team contracts ahead of the new season.
Meanwhile, another former Mariners youngster has left the club as defender Tom Bexton joins Northern League Division One side Whitley Bay.
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Darlington are to visit Wearside League neighbours Darlington Town for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 9.
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Evo-Stik NPL North West newcomers Dunston UTS have been forced into a change of name by the Football Association's 'Kit and Advertising Regulations.'
The Northern League champions will now be known as Dunston FC, but fears that the move could lead to sponsors UTS Engineering withdrawing their support have been allayed by club chairman Malcolm James.
He said: "We were immediately concerned that our fantastic relationship with UTS Engineering could be at risk and we held a meeting with Shaun Sadler immediately.
"He wanted to keep supporting the club and they will continue their 10-year association with our club as we look to build on the success of last season."
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Marske United got their preparations for their second season as an Evo-Stik League club underway by making several impressive additions to their squad.
Seasiders manager Carl Jarrett has completed the signings of former Darlington defender Kevin Burgess, Gateshead midfielder Lewis Maloney and Matthew Garbutt from Northern League neighbours Stockton Town.
Garbutt's transfer wasn't the only movement between the two clubs as Marske striker Jamie Owens completed a return to Stockton on Friday.
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Northern League Division One club Hebburn Town have announced that they have retained a number of key players as they look to go one better than last season's second place finish.
Defender Jack Donaghy, midfielder Louis Storey and striker Graeme Armstrong are among the players to commit tothe Hornetsfor the new season.
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North Shields manager Marc Nash has continued hisRobinsrebuild by adding defender Rhys Williams and forward Kyle Patton to his squad.
Williams moves...
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