Pen pictures 2018-19

Jak signed in the 2017-18 season from fellow Division One side Dunston UTS, having previously been at Queen of the South in Dumfries and Gateshead. An intelligent and skillful player, Jak’s position is left back, but he can also play left midfield.

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.

Aaron has re-joined RCA after a short spell at Billingham Synthonia, he 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. Previous clubs include, Washington, Seaham Red Star and Easingt

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.

 "Sparky" starts his 6th consecutive season for RCA. He is one of the most respected strikers in the Northern League. 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"  was RCA's leading goalscorer last season and is looking forward to bagging a few in the coming season. Previous clubs include: Ryton, Washington, Spennymoor and Morpeth. "Sparky", will be looking to strike up a partnership with "AJ" Andy Johnson, another prolific striker. 

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.

Tom was due to sign at the beginning of the season but picked up a nasty knee injury which needed surgery. He is now free from injury and has signed to hopefully get fully fit and assist in our Durham Challenge cup matches with a view to get ready for next season. Tom is a strong tackling, powerful central defender who is good in the air and who possesses good distribution skills. 

Tomas has signed on a work experience loan deal from Sunderland AFC.

He is a defender who is equally at home playing on either the right or left side of defence and has been known to play as a central defender if required. A versatile individual who is learning his craft quickly and is well thought of at Sunderland AFC. 

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.

Sam is a Ryhope lad who  played for Middlesbrough up to the age of sixteen and then went to  Scunthorpe from 16-18. A strong centre half who can read the game well, Sam's key strengths are his passing and pace. He will have learnt a lot from studying Ross and Greg and is willing to play anywhere in defence.

Tom is a winger / striker who has played for Middlesbrough, Consett, Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe. Has also played for Northern Ireland U17s. Strong, quick and direct with a keen eye for goal, he is a good addition to the squad and adds depth in a number of positions.

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.

Dale signed last season from Brandon United for a second spell at RCA, A product of Martin Gray's Academy he signed professional forms for Darlington before being sent out on loan to Ryhope Colliery Welfare. He is a quick forward who has a direct approach which unsettles defenders and has a knack of scoring spectacular goals.  

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.

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.

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 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 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..

Adam returns to RCA after a number of years at various Northern league clubs. He is a equally at home either as a full back or as a central midfielder. Adam has an emense range of pass and uses it to great effect when switching play. By his own admission he is not fully fit but he is putting in the effort and hopefully it will pay off.

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.

"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.

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.

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.