South Shields manager Kevin Phillips believes his players won’t be fazed by the big-game atmosphere as they take on National League Scunthorpe United in the FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying on Saturday. 

The Iron sit two divisions above the Mariners and a bumper crowd of over 3,000 is expected at the First Cloud Arena as both sides fight for a place in the First Round proper. 

But Phillips, who reached the semi-final of the storied competition as a player, doesn’t think the extra numbers will knock his charges off their stride. 

“We’re averaging over 2000 every home game but the occasion is great, the excitement has been building all week,” said Phillips.  

“Scunthorpe are bringing 4-500 fans up as well so we’re expecting probably over 3000 there, which at our level is quite remarkable. 

“The good thing for me is that players in our squad have dealt with crowds like that before so it won’t phase them, they’ll rise to the challenge. 

“It would only be the second time in history to do it, to do it with fans able to get through the door now, it would be a great experience for everyone concerned.” 

Former Sunderland striker Phillips has enjoyed a strong start to life in charge of the Mariners, with promotion to National League North the main aim this season. 

And Phillips hopes exciting, winning football, will encourage more people down to seventh-tier football despite the recent success of nearby giants Newcastle United and Sunderland. 

“It’s an exciting time for the North East in general,” added Phillips, whose side finished second in the Northern Premier League last term. 

“We’re very lucky because we’re situated right between Sunderland and Newcastle – if one is away we usually get a few supporters that come and support their local non-league side.  

“I’m sure there’ll be a few turning up on Saturday to get behind the players and the club and get them into the First Round because we know what it means to the area in general.  

“It would be fantastic if we were to get through and another highlight how promising football in the North East is.” 

Both South Shields’ more famous neighbours enter the draw in the Third Round, meaning the Mariners would have to win two more games on top of victory against Scunthorpe on Saturday to set up a meeting with either side. 

But Phillips, who scored 113 league goals for Sunderland including 30 in 1999-2000, admitted a tie against his former employers is the one he is dreaming of. 

“As a player, I’d be in bed the night before thinking I wish we got this team and it’s no different as a manager; I would love to get through to the First Round,” admitted Phillips.  

“Sunderland don’t come in until later but that would be an incredible journey down memory lane, to be able to manage a team in the non-league against Sunderland would be incredible.  

“If we could get any league side at our place, it would be massive for the football club. You look at what Marine did, there’s no reason why we couldn’t do it.” 

Ladbrokes, with the support of its owner Entain, has launched a multi-million pound investment programme, Pitching In, designed to support and promote grassroots sports. For more details see: https://entaingroup.com/sustainability/pitching-in/