Pen pictures

Stephen starts his fifth 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.

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. 

Jonathan begins his third season with RCA after signing from Shildon. A naturally gifted midfielder he possesses a vast repertoire of passes, is good in the tackle and is powerful in the air. He has played extensively in the Northern League and higher - his former clubs include Hebburn, RCW, Durham, Darlington and Shildon.

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.

Craig is now into his third 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.

John had three seasons at Meadow Park after transferring from Team Northumbria, leaving us for two years at Bishop Auckland - and now he returns for his second spell at Maedow Park. JJ is Mr Reliable, a tenacious tackler who has a great engine and loves to overlap. He is well respected throughout the Northern League and has proved time and time again that he has the ability and the quality to play at this level and above. A likeable lad off the pitch, he is not to be trifled with on it.

Jordan has signed from Consett. He is a strong left sided player equally at home playing as a full back or as a wing back. A strong tackler and good passer of the ball he is also very adept in deadball situations.

Dimitri, who is from the Phillipines, is on a Sunderland College Sports Scholarship, which he begun in October 2017. A lively winger who can also play the number 10 position, Dimitri played for Koya FC and the national Under 23s in the Phillipines.

Ross starts his third 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.

This is Nathan's third 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.

Anthony joins us from Sunderland AFC's Under 23s to broaden his experience. He is a brave, committed and passionate goalkeeper who has been in Sunderland’s youth system for a few years now. A star performer in Sunderland under-16 side during the 2015-16 campaign, Anthony was praised for his efforts as he was awarded the Special Recognition accolade at the club’s Academy Awards ceremony in May 2016.

Sam, from East Herrington, played for Middlesbrough, joining them as a 7 year old, before joining Sheffield Wednesday where he played for the Under16s and Under 17s. Sam, who is strong and pacy and who likes a tackle, is principally a centre half, but can play across the park.

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 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.

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.