Christopher Armstrong
Position: Defender
Chris has signed for RCA after a number of years out of the professional game after being diagnosed with MS. He is a strong, solid defender whose attitude and commitment to the game is second to none. An experienced ex-professional footballer at Reading, Sheffield United, Oldham and Bury he will bring a wealth of experience to the team. He is looking to get back into the sport he loves as a coach but is willing to pull on his boots to help SRCA in any way he can.
James Armstrong
Position: Midfield
Recently signed from Spennymoor Town FC, James was previously a professional with Sunderland AFC and Hull City FC, after being released from Hull he joined Boston United briefly before moving back to the North East and signing for Spennymoor. James is a versatile midfielder who can play in the holding role or in a more advanced role, he has good vision and awareness. Once fully fit he will be a great asset to the team.
Stephen Bogie
Position: Striker
Stephen has joined us from neighbouring Ashbrooke Belford House FC of the Wearside League. His goalscoring record is quite something having already scored 20 goals in 21 appearances this season. He is a tall rangy forward who has pace and a definite eye for goal. The step up should not trouble him.
Andrew Brown
Position: Central midfielder
Andy has signed for second season at RCA after initially making a huge impact when signing from Jarrow Roofing. He has youth on his side and has the makings of a superb Northern League player. A good tackler, he possesses excellent vision and plenty of awareness around the box. Andy is out to prove that the central midfield role should be his.
Lee Bythway
Signed from Thornaby, Lee was formerly with Guisborough Town and links up with former team mates Gary and Lewis Wood. He possesses good vision and is strong and determined in the tackle also likes to get forward.
Stephen Callen
Position: Forward / Winger
Stephen has joined us in the close season. A free scoring, pacy player who is equally at home on either wing or played up front as a striker. Strong and powerful he possesses a terrific shot.
Jonathan Carmichael
Position: Goalkeeper
Second season at RCA after signing last year from Whitley Bay FC. Josh proved last season that he is a great shot stopper, has good awareness in the box and his distribution skills are excellent. He is well capable of turning defence into attack with his kicking ability.
Michael Charlton
Position: Winger
We have signed Michael from neighbouring RCW, he is a fast tricky winger. Very direct, loves taking on defenders and getting crosses into the danger area. 100% energy, helps out in defence and is a handful for any defender.
Tony Coe
Position: Midfield/Winger
Tony has signed from Consett AFC where he has enjoyed a couple of good seasons. He returns to RCA for a second spell and is keen to do well for the club. Tony is a 100% player who hates getting beat, loves beating defenders has a quality cross and chips in with a fair few goals.
Clayton Davis
Position: Midfield / Winger
Clayton joins us from Washington FC where he only played 4 matches, receiving two MoM awards. He is an exciting speedy winger who loves to take on defenders. Clayton is also a great crosser of the ball and chips in with the odd goal. Previous clubs include Hebburn and Ryhope CW.
Wayne Henderson
Position: Utility player
What can we say about Wayne that has not already been said? Entering his 16th season with the club he still has the enthusiasm that he had when he first signed, if not the legs. Injuries and recovery time have limited his appearances in recent years but when he plays, he always gives 110%. Still not the oldest player on the books but by far the longest serving.
Joseph Hughes
Position: Striker
Joseph signed from Durham City FC last season and immediately became a hit with the fans scoring six goals in his first five games. His direct approach to the game and his pace make him a handful for defenders. He has scored goals at every level he has played at.
Richard Jordan
Position: Midfield / Forward
Signed from Crook Town, Richard returns for his second spell at SRCA. A 100% box to box player who chips in with his fair share of goals. I hope he will forgive me for saying that he is an old fashioned style gritty player who wears his heart on his sleeve.
John Jury
Position: Full back/Midfielder
Starting his second season at Meadow Park since his transfer from Team Northumbria. John is 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 the pitch.
Kieran Megran
Position: Midfield.
Signed from Bishop Auckland FC he is a former scholar at Middlesbrough FC having also played for Darlington FC, Consett and Esh Winning before joining Bishop Auckland. He is a versatile player who is comfortable in either central midfield or full back. Kieran reads the game well and his passing is exceptional. He also scores his fair share of goals which will come in handy.
Carl Morris
Position: Goalkeeper
Carl has signed from Brandon United and is already a hit with his fellow players, a big powerful keeper who has a safe pair of hand, is an excellent shot stopper and has the abilty to make it all look too easy.
Ross Preston
Position: Defender
Ross returns for his Third season with the club and for the first time in a lot of years he has put in a full pre-season schedule. He is a commanding central defender who has plied his trade at higher level and it shows in his calmness, composure and presence on the ball. His experience is also shown on the training ground where he leads by example.
Luke Richardson
Position: Defender
Luke has signed from Billingham Synthonia FC. He is a Sunderland lad who is returning to his home town club. A strong defender who likes a tackle, also has good positional sense and is able to read the game well. He also looks to get forward and support his midfield colleagues.
James Rowe
Position: Midfielder.
James has been signed from Wearside League side Wolviston. He is a midfielder with plenty of pace and vision. Good on the ball he also possesses a telling pass.
Alex Smith
Position: Defender
Alex who is still learning at this level, has shown glimpses of what he can do in pre-season will learn a great deal from the defenders around him in the squad. Tall rangy Central defender who reads the game well.
Gary Wood
Position: Midfielder
Signed from Guisborough Town in the close season, where he was and established player, captaining the side in the early part of last season. Off the field Gary will be vying with his name sake Shieldsy for the joker's trophy this season. On the field he is a central midfielder with great awareness and vision. His Organisational skills make him an ideal candidate for the captaincy this season. Gary has ungone major surgery on his hip and in not expected to play again this season.
Lewis Wood
Position: Midfield
Lewis is another player who has signed from Guisborough in the close season, he is an energetic box to box midfielder who is strong in the challenge, quick to read situations and react. Has shown already in pre-season that he has a good understanding with Gary Wood (no relation).
Management Team
Martin Swales
Sunderland RCA's new 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 last season. He is passionate about his football especially in the local area and instills a sense of belief in his players.
Gary Errington
"Gee" returns to the club that he played at for a number of seasons. He was also a member of the very successful Easington CW FC team which reached the first round proper of the FA Cup. A speedy winger with tricky feet and a great cross. (If only he was five years younger - Ha Ha). Has been assistant to Swaz for a number of years now and complements the managers playing style with his own flair. Rarely see him without a smile on his face.
Ian Smith - Coach
Sunderland born Ian has joined us from Redby CA, where he was head coach. He's looking to advance his coaching career with RCA completing his UEFA B coaching qualification last season. His attitude and enthusiasm is infectious and he demands a high level of performance from all the players he coaches.
Colin Larkin - Player and Coach
Position: Striker
Recently signed from West Auckland Colin's previous clubs include Wolverhampton Wanderers, Kidderminster Harriers (loan), Alfreton Town, Chesterfield, Northampton, Hartlepool, Lincoln City, Harrogate Town and Gateshead. Colin has a wealth of experience at a higher level and is a proven goalscorer who leads by example on the pitch. He is a very welcome addition to the club and has taken on coaching responsibilities.