Ex-Dons boss Williamson given new directorial role at South Shields
The former coaches are reunited back in the north-east
Former MK Dons boss Mike Williamson has taken up a new role at National League North side South Shields.
The ex-head coach led Dons to the play-offs in 2023/24, but they suffered the biggest ever semi-final aggregate loss, thumped 8-1 by Crawley Town.
Williamson spent a little under a year in charge at MK1 before departing for Carlisle United in September 2024, replaced by Scott Lindsey at the helm.
His time at Brunton Park was short and fruitless though, winning just five of his 25 games in charge, seeing the Cumbrians tumble out of the Football League following his departure.
While his assistant Ian Watson returned to MK Dons, Williamson had a cameo role with Russell Martin at Rangers before he was also sacked earlier this season.
Watson now leads South Shields and initially brought the ex-Newcastle United defender to the club on a voluntary basis but his new role at the Mariners has now been confirmed, with him taking over as Director of Performance and Culture at the 1st Cloud Arena.
South Shields currently sit second in National League North, six points behind leaders Fylde with a game in hand. They have four games left to play this season.
Describing the role, a club statement said the role is “focused on enhancing player performance environments, supporting staff and player development, and embedding a strong, unified culture throughout the club.
“These appointments mark an important step forward as South Shields FC continues to build a modern, progressive structure designed to support success on and off the pitch.”
Meanwhile, former Dons first-team coach Chris Bell has also reunited with the pair, joining as the club’s Technical Director, where he will be ‘taking responsibility for football strategy, player development pathways, and ensuring alignment across all technical departments.’