Sophie Clough departs role at SSFC

Sophie Clough has left her position as South Shields FC’s Head of Women’s Football in order to take up a new opportunity overseas.

She joined the club in September 2024, having built up an extensive portfolio of work in the professional and collegiate game, spending time at clubs like Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League, and as Head Coach at the International Football Academy in Mexico.

In January 2025, she was appointed Co-Head Coach of the Women’s First Team and worked alongside existing Coach Alex Miller as her side finished fourth in the NERWFL Premier Division in the 2024/25 season.

Above all, the Mariners defied expectations in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup as they reached the Second Round Proper of the tournament for the first time that season, knocking out third-tier side Halifax FC Women on penalties in the process.

They nearly repeated the feat this season, only to bow out in the First Round Proper this time around – the Club’s previous best record.

Under her leadership, the First Team reached the County Cup Semi-Final for two seasons running, while they remain in the League Cup with every chance of competing for silverware.

The women’s pathway at South Shields FC has been expanded and enhanced too – she was instrumental in forming the Women’s Reserve Team last summer, as well as the 16-19 College Programme in partnership with Sunderland College ahead of the 2025/26 season.

A new Girls’ Academy team play in the National Football Youth League, seeing them compete against the likes of Everton FC, Liverpool FC, and Burnley FC at U21 level.

Clough’s work with the South Shields FC Women’s International Academy, which saw its first intake in September 2024, has been crucial and her tireless contributions have helped to develop players, as footballers and as people, every day.

Sporting Director, Lee Picton added:

‘Since the first moment she joined the club, Sophie has been absolutely fantastic to work with. Her dedication, knowledge, professionalism, and passion have helped move the club forward enormously on the female side. She will be massively missed by everyone who worked with her here at SSFC’

We would like to put on record our sincere thanks for everything she has done throughout her time at the Club and all of us at South Shields FC would like to wish her the best for the future'

Sophie ended by saying:

'I want to start by saying a massive thank you to everyone who’s been involved with the women’s programs here at South Shields and been part of the journey over the past 18months. I appreciate what each of you have brought to the environment, the passion, the drive, the desire to improve and keep growing has been fantastic & inspiring to be a part of.

I’ll be forever grateful for the relationships & memories we built together.

I will forever be a Mariner! ⚓️🫶🏼

#ALWAYSREADY'