James returns to RCA after a season out through injury, this will be his sixth season at the club. James career so far includes spells at Spennymoor Town FC, Sunderland AFC and Hull City. He is a versatile player who can operate in both midfield and defence. He has good vision and awareness and his defence splitting passes and free kicks are a joy to watch. He has also committed to assisting in the coaching of the players.
Pen pictures 2016-17
Players who were registered with Sunderland RCA in the 2016-17 season
James Armstrong
Neal Bussey
Neal has signed from local football after being on Martin's wanted list for some time. He is a tall keeper who commands his area well, is a great shot stopper and has good distribution skills, he is always looking to turn defence into attack and will be a terrific asset to the team.
John Butler
John has signed from Washington FC, his previous clubs include Ryhope CW and Bishop Auckland. John is a big strong forward who has scored goals wherever he has played. A natural goalscorer he has great awareness around the box which makes him a handful for defenders.
Thomas Butler
Tommy has pledged his body for another season. He is a former professional with Sunderland AFC, Swansea City, Hartlepool, Dunfermline and Alwick Town before he joined the growing band of Irish players at the SRCA. He is an excellent ball player with an eye for a pass and scores goals from midfield. He is another like "Larks" who is passing on his vast experience to the younger players and has started help on the training ground.
Stephen Callen
Stephen has signed on a dual registration with Consett until the end of the season, then who knows this crowd favourite may return on a permanent basis. Stephen is a pacy and dynamic player who is equally at home on either wing or playing 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.
Jonathan Carmichael
Josh has signed from South Shields, returning to the club after spending a number of seasons at Washington before moving to South Shields in the close season. Josh is a commanding presence in the six yard box and a great shot stopper. He is amongst the top six keepers in the Northern League and is held in high regard at SRCA.
James Cassidy
James begins his second season with the club after signing from Washington. He is a pacy winger who is equally comfortable on either wing. He is another who likes to attack defenders and creates goalscoring chances for his team mates.
Michael Charlton
Michael re-joins the club after a two year absence. 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.
Jordan Cook
Jordan is another who has signed to assist us in the centre of midfield, looks assured on the ball and able to read what is happening around him. He also distributes the ball well under pressure. Could be a one for the future
Nathan Cummings
.Nathan, who has been with Ryhope CW and Washington, plays in centre midfield or as a central defender. As well his strength, tackling and heading, Nathan's Cruyff turn is one of his key skills.
Clayton Davis
Clayton has returned after a season and a half playing golf before signing for Whickham. We all know what Clayton can do 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 the dressing room.
Jonathan Davis
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.
Dylan Elliott
Dylan, is now beginning his fifth season with RCA having 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. He is a competitive central midfielder with a phenomenal range of passes and is always fully committed in the tackle.
Brad Forster
Brad has signed as cover in defence, this is his second spell at the club and he is a sound defender who is good in the air, solid in the tackle and can pass the ball out of defence to great effect.
Jake Fowler
Jake is a midfielder/forward who has represented England at u16, u17 and u18 level. He has also had spells with Middlebrough, Stockport County and Gateshead.
Kevin Gordon
Kevin has signed for the coming season having impressed in his appearances last term. He has speed to burn which defenders don't like and his direct approach to the game has endeared him to the fans. He is always looking to attack the opposition and has great awareness and an eye for goal.
Kieran Graham
Kieran joined us last season on load from Sunderland AFC, where he was part of the Modern Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence Scheme at the Academy. After his release from the Academy he signed for the coming season. Kieran is predominantly a right winger but is equally comfortable playing off the front man. Towards the end of last season he showed that his pace, close control and energy constantly caused problems for Northern League defences.
Lee Graydon
Lee is a youngster who has spent some time at Morpeth training. Hailing from Ireland he is only seventeen, he played in a number of pre-season friendlies and did well in both defence and midfield. He might need a season to adjust to senior football.
Sam Guthrie
Sam has signed from Northallerton Town. A young goalkeeper who is still learning his trade, he has spent the last two seasons at Huddesfield Town where he was loaned out to Clitheroe and Salford for short periods. He is a tall goalkeeper who commands his area well, he has good reflexes and his distribution of the ball is excellent.
Jordan Harkess
Jordan returns for his second season at the club. The amount of injuries this lad suffered last season would put most players off but here he is back for more and he will be pushing for the No 1 jersey. He is a tall keeper who commands his area well, distributes the ball to good effect and can easily turn defence into attack. For a tall keeper he is very agile and is a great shot stopper.
Callum Hassan
Callum has signed from Washington after playing last season for West Auckland. He is a powerful centre forward who has played football at a higher level and once fully fit he will be a threat to most defences in the Northern League. During his career he has played for Hartlepool United, Kidderminster Town, Harrogate Town and AFC Telford.
Liam Hatch
Liam has signed from Darlington 1883 after helping them win promotion last season. He is an imposing 6'3" player who has plied his trade at a much higher level. Equally comfortable playing in attack or defence, if you ask him he will tell you he is a striker and he has scored goals throughout his extensive career. Former clubs include Ebbsfleet, Barnet, Peterborough, Darlington, Luton and Gateshead.
Craig Hodgson
Craig returns to the club after a two year absence. His previous clubs include 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 options quickly. Welcome back Craig.
Craig Hubbard
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Danni Lay
Danni joins us after spending the pre-season with Morpeth Town. He is a strong no nonsense central defender who loves a tackle. He also has the ability to read the game and make defending look easy at times.
Kieron Martin
Kieron has signed from Bishop Auckland. He is a local lad who has loads of pace and good crossing ability. Will have a lot of pressure put on him by the committee who still rate his dad as one of the best players to wear a RCA shirt.
Liam McBryde
Liam returns for his second spell at the club having spent time at Hebburn Town, Jarrow Roofing and Seaham Red Star. He is a prolific goalscorer in the Northern League and has scored goals at all levels of the game. Liam is able to hold the ball up well, bringing other players into the game and is good in the air. A great asset to the team. Previous clubs include: Sunderland AFC, Washington, Ryton, Sunderland RCA, Chester-le-Street, South Shields, Hebburn Town, Jarrow Roofing BCA and Whitley Bay.
Adam McGuinness
Adam is beginning his third season since re-signing from Washington. 'Addzy' returned to SRCA after a couple of seasons at Washington. He has a wealth of experience at this level. A natural left footer with a tremendous strike, he is able to play anywhere in the back four. He is good in the air and is talented on the deck, he also has the ability to cross the ball either from open play or free kicks.
Ross McNab
Ross starts his sixth 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.
Reece Noble
Reece begins his fourth season with RCA after a brief spell at Washington in 2016-17. Strong and with a fierece shot, Reece is capable of turning defence into attack with his range of passing and rarely misplaces a ball. He also has the ability to take control of a game and always looks composed. He was at Sunderland Academy from 2011 to 2013 before joining Gateshead after his release.
Nathan O'Neill
This is Nathan's fifth 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 proved last season that he is effective in a central midfield role. There are not many better strikers in the Northern League when he is firing on all cylinders.
Luke Page
Luke has re-signed after a spell at Dunston where he has been very impressive. 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.
Jack Patton
Jack has joined RCA after being with Tow Law last season. Jack has previously played for Willington and was at Spennymoor Town as a junior. Will be pushing Neal for the number one shirt.
Flavio Pereira Da Veiga,
Flavio has joined us from Morpeth Town on a month's loan. He is a tricky winger with a lot of pace, once fully fit he will cause problems for opposition defences.
Jack Pounder
Jack signed last season from neighbours RCW. He is a tall centre forward who is able to use his height to great advantage, equally good with the ball at his feet or in the air, Jack has scored goals at every level he has played and now wants to test himself in the first division. Suffered cruciate ligament damage towards end of the season, but is looking to make a return as soon as possible.
Ross Preston
Ross is another player who is starting his fifth consecutive season with the club. Injuries last season reduced his appearances but when he regains full fitness there a few better central defenders in the league. His partnership with "Swanna" is certainly in the top two or three in the league. 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.
Luke Richardson
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.
Mark Robinson
Mark joins us after spending some time in the Wearside League. He is a hard working box to box midfielder. Skillful in possession, he is also strong in the tackle. He is ready, in his own words, to make the step up. The manager rates this player as a one to watch for the future and by all accounts a number of clubs are watching him.
Greg Swansbury
Greg has re-signed to help the club fulfil the rest of its fixtures this season. He joins Swaz and Gee in the rebuilding process and is a massive influence in the team. 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. His leadership on the pitch is inspirational and he always leads by example and is 100% committed to the football club both on and off the pitch..
Jonathan Wightman
Jonathan has re-signed for the coming season. After several years plying his trade at a number of other Northern League clubs he has returned to his first club and we are delighted to have him back. Johnnie can play as an out and out striker or out wide, he is comfortable in both roles and has scored goals where ever he has played. He loves to attack defenders and has the abilty to cross into the box with terrific accuracy.
Brad Wilson
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Steven Stewart
Martin Swales has appointed Steven Stewart as his assistant for the coming season. Steven is no stranger to Meadow Park and has extensive Northern League experience as a player, having also played for Washington, Bedlington, Nissan, Durham, Chester-le-Street, Benfield and Blyth Spartans. He is now looking to move into the management side and sees SRCA as the ideal place to start, he is familiar with the set up off the pitch and his vast experience and knowledge of players at this level will be an invaluable asset to Martin.
Martin Swales
Martin has returned to take charge of the first team until the end of the season. Martin has a wealth of Northern League experience both as a player and as a manager. During his previous tenure at the club he was successful in not only maintaining our status in the Northern League Div I but also giving the spectators something to cheers about with very good runs in the cup compeyitions.
He is passionate about his football, especially in the local area, and instills a sense of belief in his players.
Gary Errington
"Gee" returns for yet another spell at RCA, He can't keep away.Having played for the club in his Hey-day he knows how the club operates and brings with him a wealth of experience. He was also a member of the very successful Easington CW FC team which reached the first round proper of the FA Cup. "Gee" comes in alongside Martin Swales as his assistants. Never see him without a smile on his face.
Colin Larkin
"Larks" has signed from Consett and is reunited with Manager Martin Swales in a bid to help change the fortunes of the club. Colin is the epitome of a professional, and his influence is seen throughout the team. Colin's previous clubs include West Auckland, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Kidderminster Harriers (loan), Alfreton Town, Chesterfield, Northampton, Hartlepool, Lincoln City, Harrogate Town and Gateshead. He leads by example on and off the pitch and his enthusiasm for the game is infectious, the younger players in the squad will continue to learn from Colin.
Colin Larkin
Coach, Forward
"Larks" returns after taking a year out through injury. We say it year after year but Colin is the epitome of a professional, and his influence is seen throughout the team. His previous clubs include West Auckland, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Kidderminster Harriers (loan), Alfreton Town, Chesterfield, Northampton, Hartlepool, Lincoln City, Harrogate Town and Gateshead. He keeps coming back to RCA for the love of the game and the club. He will always lead by example on and off the pitch and his enthusiasm for the game is infectious, the younger players in the squad will continue to learn from him and if they are half as good then they will have a great career in football.
Daniel Moore
Daniel Moore DC BSc (Hons), MChiro, PgCert, MRCC has been appointed as the new Head of Medical Services and Performance. Daniel is a chiropractor in private practice based in Cullercoats. He has been involved in sport since he was six years old, and now, as a chiropractor, understands the benefit of good biomechanical function, when it comes to optimal performance in sport. He has been part of the medical services team that provides care at national GB Masters Athletics events, and has supported local athletes across a number of different sports for some time now. He has been a military trauma first aid instructor in the 4th Bn The Parachute Regiment and is completing the FA Emergency First Aid courses to ensure SRCA FC has excellent pitch side emergency support this season. Dan is looking forward to bringing his knowledge and experience to Sunderland RCA FC and develop further the clinical care players have access to throughout the season. He is also going to work closely with the management team including team manager Martin Swales, to develop further their pre-season training programme to ensure the players are fully ready in every way for the season ahead.