Williamson is working for the club on a voluntary basis

Former MK Dons boss Mike Williamson has reunited with his old assistant, this time acting as the understudy for Ian Watson at South Shields.

The National League North leaders, led by Ian Watson, sit top of the table by two points but were dealt a blow when first team coach Matty Pattison departed the club to ‘pursue matters away from football.’

Williamson has been out of work since October when he, along with ex-Dons boss Russell Martin, was sacked by Scottish giants Rangers following a dismal start to life at Ibrox.

The former Newcastle United defender was first team coach under Martin at Gers too, the same role he has taken up at South Shields on a voluntary basis.

Williamson spent a little under a year in charge of Dons, taking over from Graham Alexander following his sacking in October 2023. Taking the club to a fourth place finish, missing automatic promotion by eight points, Dons suffered the biggest ever play-off loss at the hands of Crawley Town, hammered 8-1 on aggregate.

The following season started poorly, but Williamson was lured back north and closer to home by Carlisle United. But his time at Brunton Park was torrid, winning only five games from 25 and he was sacked five months later.

Following the appointment of friend and former Wycombe team-mate Martin to Rangers, Williamson began working in Glasgow before being given their marching orders in October.

Earlier this week, South Shields linked up with another former Dons man in the form of Middlesbrough striker Sonny Finch, who joined the club on loan.