Pen pictures

Michael is another player who is starting his fifth 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.

Clayton in now into his fifth 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 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.

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.

Andy, a tall and powerfully built goalkeeper, is on a Sunderland College Sports Scholarship, which he began in September 2017. From Tenerife, where he played in the Under 19 Spanish League for UD Los Zocas, Andy is originally from the Czech Republic.

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.

Dom, who has just returned to Sunderland from four years at Wolverhampton Wanderers has a strong footballing upbringing. He played for SAFC 7-9s, the Sunderland Sunday League for Nissan and from 13 to 14 was at Hartlepool, fitting in a trial at Manchester United. Dom can play striker, midfield and full back. His key strengths are his hard work and commitment to the team. Long term RCA fans will remember Dom attending RCA matches as a youngster, when his father Glenn played for us.

Luke signed for RCA from Easington Colliery and is now in his third season at RCA. Luke is a strong tackling, powerful central midfielder who can quickly turn defence into attack. Luke was joint winner of the Committee Player of the Season award and the Fans' Player of the Season in 2017-18.

Ross begins his a third 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. Ross was joint winner of the Sponsors' Player of the Season Award for the 2017-18 season.

Luke is now into his fifth season with the club. A Sunderland lad, he thrives on the challenges of the first division. He is a strong tackling defender who possesses good positional sense and is able to read the game well. He is always looking to support his midfield colleagues.

Greg starts his third 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 2017-18 season, a testimony to his leadership on the pitch.

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.