Today against Bishop Auckland Dean Holmes makes his 300th appearance for the club.
Dean was a master signing by then Shields manager Anthony Woodhouse in 2011.
Woody secured the acquisition of the Northern Alliance top scorer of 2010-11 when with Heaton Stannington.
Holmes netted on his debut on 14 September 2011 after coming on as a substitute in the home game with Esh Winning in the 65th minute and after latching onto a through ball from the legendary Keith Douglas just about burst the net.
Dean went on to make 25 appearances that season including 14 as sub and managed to rattle in 16 goals with braces against Darlington RA Seaham Red Star and Thornaby.
In the next campaign he found the net a further 15 times in 36 appearances under new manager Graham Fenton including doubles versus West Allotment and Ryton and Crawcrook.
The 2013-14 campaign ended with the Robin’s winning promotion to the Northern League First Division and Deano helped in no small way with an 18 goal haul and more braces against Whitehaven Brandon and Darlington RA.
Onto Wembley Glory and with Fents Bowsa and Brian Smith at the helm -where are they now !!!-guiding the club to unforgettable FA Vase success and again Dean more than played his part.
Another 18 goals with key strikes in both semis against Highworth -the winner in Wiltshire then the clincher in the second leg on Tyneside.
Not to mention earlier goals on the run to the final against AFC Emley Phoenix Sports and Erith and Belvedere.
One season on and Dean was part of the team that lifted the Northumberland Senior Cup Final at St James Park in a thrilling 4-3 verdict over Blyth Spartans
Under new boss Jon McDonald in 2016-7 came 13 more goals to add to the tally and doubles against Marske Stockton and Jarrow Roofing.
Woody returned midway through 2017-8 as assistant boss to Marc Nash and the pair oversaw one of the most remarkable comebacks in Shields history.
In their first game in charge the pair on 24.2.18 at home to Jarrow Roofing they witnessed their side trail 2-5 at the break.
Those true supporters who stayed to the second half couldn’t believe their eyes as Dean went on to bag a hat-trick with a stunning last gasp volley to clinch a 6-5 success and send the fans into raptures.
Holmes notched 20 goals that year and brought his appearance total to 292 and an overall 108 goals for the club.
And isn’t it great now to have Dean back in the side making his 300th club appearance !!!
