Max has joined the club after being released from Newcastle United. He is a solid dependable defender who is comfortable on the ball. He joined Newcastle in 2017 on a two year scholarship and played in the majority of the under 18s matches during his time at the club.
Pen pictures
Please click here for a text only list of player pen pictures or here for a current squad list - useful for opposition programme editors.
Max Allen
Defender
Thomas Best
Midfielder
Tom has joined us on a months Work Experience from Hull City Academy and will be an asset to the team.
He is a skilfull midfielder who is very comfortable on the ball, is a good tackler with a great range of passes, he also chips in with his fair share of goals.
Stephen Callen
Winger
Stephen starts his sixth season with RCA. Stephen is a pacy and dynamic player who is equally at home on either wing or played up front as a striker. Strong and powerful, he has great touch and control on the ball and possesses a terrific shot which will see him produce his fair share of goal scoring opportunities. Having missed most of last season after undegoing a groin operation he is keen to get back to full fitness and play a full part in the coming season.
Michael Charlton
Midfielder, Winger
Michael is another player who is starting his sixth season at the club. He is well liked by the fans because he makes things happen on the pitch. He is a fast, tricky winger who likes to run at defenders. Very direct in his play, he also possesses the ability to cross the ball at pace into the danger area. 100% energy and commitment enables him to help out in defence as well.
Aaron Croft
Midfielder
Aaron is currently working as a coach at Middlesbrough Foundation having previously held the same position at Sunderland AFC. He is a pacy midfielder who can play on the either side or down the middle. Has been known to post the odd video on YouTube of himself doing football tricks. Previous clubs include, Washington, Seaham Red Star and Easington.
Clayton Davis
Midfielder, Winger
Clayton is also starting his sixth season at the club. He is a dynamic, speedy winger / defender who loves to take on defenders. Clayton is also a great crosser of the ball and chips in with the odd goal. He is one of those rare breed of players who always has a smile on his face and is great to have around. Previous clubs include Washington, Hebburn and Ryhope CW.
Kyle Davis
Forward, Midfielder
Kyle is a very quick, strong, tough competitor who wears his heart on his sleeve. He loves a challenge, as we know from when he has played against us, and can play in midfield or forward. His previous clubs include Bishop Auckland and Ryhope CW.
Mark Davison
Forward
Mark Davison needs no introduction for Northern League football fans. A strong and direct centre forward who can be relied upon to score with head and feet as well as setting up opportunities for others, Sparky is returning for his third spell with RCA. We are delighted to have him back. Mark's travels have taken him to Ryton, Washington, Spennymoor and Morpeth.
Robbie Dean
Goalkeeper
"Deano" has signed from Marske United where he was part of the team that secured promotion from the Northern League in the 2017/18 season having also helped them win the title in 2014 / 15. He played over 200 games for the Seasiders. He was also part of Spennymoor Town's FA Vase winning team in 2013 when they beat Tunbridge Wells at Wembley. "Deano", is a great shot stopper and a keeper with great vision, able to turn defence into attack, his distribution is first class. He brings a wealth of experience and we are plaesed to have him at the club.
Henry Dorward
Midfielder
Henry has signed for SRCA after being released by Morecambe FC. A defensive minded midfielder he still managed to score his fair share of goals in the Morecambe Academy team.
Dylan Elliott
Midfielder
Dylan, who is now beginning his fourth season with RCA, joined us from Easington Colliery. He was at Sunderland AFC from the age of 8 to 15, before joining Hartlepool United on a scholarship from the age of 16 to 19. Dylan has also had Northern League experience, spending two months at Bishop Auckland, and is an excellent signing for RCA. Dylan was named Sponsors' Player of the Season for 2017-18. He is a competitive central midfielder with a phenomenal range of passes and is always fully committed in the tackle.
Kieron Ezard
Goalkeeper
Signed in the close season from Stockton Town, Kieron is a young, up and coming prospect for the future. He has a safe pair of hands, is a good shot stopper with very good distribution.
Lewis Green
Defender
Lewis has signed from Junior football as defensive cover. After impressing in the pre season friendlies the management were quick to get him signed.
Good in the air and with a good footballing brain he has shown that he is a one for the future.
Craig Hennis
Midfielder
Craig joins us from Washington FC after impressing during our recent Durham Challenge cup match.
He is a versatile central midfielder who works tirelessly for the team. A tenacious tackler with good distribution skills he also possesses a good engine which allows him to work box to box. He is an excellant addition top the team.
Craig Hodgson
Central defender, Midfielder
Craig is now into his fourth season at RCA having previously played for Dunston UTS and Bishop Auckland. He can play as a central defender or in the centre of midfield and he is equally effective in either role. He reads the game well, is good in the air, loves a tackle and has the vision to pick out attacking passes quickly. Craig was joint winner of the Management Player of the Season award for the 2017-18 season.
Carl Lawson
Midfielder
Carl joins us from Guisborough Town having previously spent some time at Whitby Town.
He is a skillful midfielder who prefers to play just behind the front man. Carl is good on the ball, a flair player with quick feet and excellant passing and crossing skills, he also possesses a wicked shot which has seen him net some goals at a higher level.
Ryan Leonard
Winger
Ryan has signed on a Work Experience from Sunderland AFC. He is a highly rated winger who is lightening quick can cross the ball with both feet and possesses a fearsome shot. He scores his fair share of goals as well as supplying ammunition for his forwards.
Jack Leonard
Midfielder
Jack has joined us on a "Dual Contract" from Hartlepool Academy where he is a regular in the Under 19's Alliance League team.
He is a tenacious midfielder who likes to tackle and is a good distributer of the ball.
Ross McNab
Full back
Ross starts his fifth season with the club after returning from Billingham Synthonia. A left sided player, Ross has developed into a very good full back who is equally at home playing in the centre of defence. Defensively he is very competent, loves to get forward in support of his midfield and has a great range of passing. Injury free he is a great asset to the squad and a pleasure to have around the club.
Nathan O'Neill
Forward
This is Nathan's fourth season at RCA, having signed from neighbours Ryhope Colliery Welfare. Tall and dominating in the air, Nathan is capable of scoring all kinds of goals, from two yard tap-ins, and headers to 25 yard screamers. He has also proved his effectiveness in a central midfield role when needed. There are not many better strikers in the Northern League when he is firing on all cylinders.
Ross Preston
Defender
Ross begins his a fourth season with the club after returning from Washington. He returns to Meadow Park to reunite his partnership with "Swanna". Ross is a powerful centre back who is good in the air, is a good distributer of the ball and has the ability to read the game and make it look easy. He is cool under pressure and is rated very highly at SRCA.
Connor Slack
Forward
Connor is the second Work Experience player to sign from Sunderland AFC. An out and out old fashioned style Centre forward who likes to put himself about. Is good in the air and can play with either foot a defenders nightmare. Injury free he will be a great asset to RCA.
Greg Swansbury
Central defender
Greg starts his fourth season with RCA since signing from Washington and now captains the side. At 6'4", Greg is a powerful, imposing, no nonsense, old school central defender. As expected, he is good in the air, but he is also deceptively good on the ground with great awareness of situations as they develop. Greg was joint winner of the Management Player of the Season and winner of the Players' Player of the Season awards in the 2018-19 season, a testimony to his leadership on the pitch. He leads by examble and is 100% committed to the football club.
Martin Swales
Manager
Sunderland RCA's manager Martin has a wealth of Northern League experience both as a player and as a manager. He managed the very successful Ryhope Colliery Welfare team who in Season 2010-11 won all four competitions in the Wearside League. Repeating the feat the following year and also clinching promotion for RCW to the Northern League Division 2. He has also managed Bishop Auckland for a short time. He is passionate about his football, especially in the local area, and instills a sense of belief in his players.
Mark Cowan
Assistant Manager
Mark has been a big supporter of RCA off the field and has now jumped over the fence to join the football management. After a bad knee injury put pay to his footballing career as a youngster, Mark, from Birtley, ran teams in the Gateshead and District Sunday League. Mark brings commitment, energy, enthusiasm and management experience to the organisation of the team.
Steve Riley
Coach
Steve joins the club as Assistant Manager / Coach he is a well established Coach / Manager who spent a number of years at Bishop Auckland where he was made Manager in 2015 guiding them to 8th position in the 2016-17 season.
Scott Dickinson
Physiotherapist
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James - Lenny - French
Coach
Lenny, who has joined RCA as a goalkeeping coach, played Northern League football for most his career and worked with Martin Swales as a coach at Ryhope CW and Bishop Auckland. With considerable Northern League experience at Hartlepool Town, Chester-le-Street, Esh Winning, Washington and Ryton, he's a great addition to our team.
Mohsen Hussein
Coach
Mohsen is a local business man who has run local football teams in the Sunderland area and has been recruited by Sunderland RCA for his ideas on young local footballers to come through the junior systems. Mo is currently doing UEFA B badges and has lots of connections with his national football team, Egypt, who he follows whenever he can. Mo will be a great asset to RCA with his local and training knowledge.