Upcoming fixtures

Please take care to check for updates because fixtures may be subject to change.

To be arranged:

Dunston UTS, away, League Cup, Third Round
Marske, away, League

Results

Northern League Division 1 Table

Pen pictures

A MS Word document version of these pen pictures, without photos, is available here.

Neal Atkinson

Signed from Ryhope CW FC, Neal is an experienced keeper with good hands who controls his box well. He is a good shot stopper and his distribution is top class. He will push Gary Hoggeth for the number one shirt.

Carl Beasley - Club Captain

A versatile and very experienced Northern League defender, Carl joined from his home town club, Spennymoor, where he was club captain, last season. A spell at Tow Law followed his first seasons at Spennymoor. Carl was winner of the Club Player of the Year Award in his first season with RCA.

Tom Berj

Tom is a 22 year-old attacking midfielder from Bensham who takes his fitness seriously, which will please coach George Herd. Speed and tackling are key strengths of his game. Tom made his début against Shildon and marked it with a goal. His previous clubs include Newcastle Benfield, Gateshead, West Auckland and Crook Town.

John Butler

JB has signed from Shildon and is not known as "The Machine" for nothing. He runs forever and can play in a variety of positions. Equally at home at full back, midfield or on the wing he is a great asset to the squad.

Brian Close

A top quality central midfielder with speed, skill and steel, Brian joined RCA for the 2011-12 season from Stokesley. His league career involved stops at Middlesbrough, Chesterfield and Darlington.

Andy Cuthbertson

Signed from Consett for the 2011-12 season, Andy is a box-to-box, give-and-go central midfielder who wins his fair share of tackles. His Northern League experience also includes Esh Winning, Brandon, where he was a member of the league winning team, and Chester-le-Street.

Mark Davison

Centre forward Mark returns to RCA, where in his last season, he was top scorer with 27 goals. His travels took him to Ryton and Chester-le-Street. Excellent in the air, Sparky also has a powerful shot.

Ian Dixon

Kyle Donaldson

Signed from Seaham Red Star for the 2011-12 season, Kyle is a young goal keeper with good hands who controls his box well. Good cover for Gary Hoggeth, Kyle is one for the future.

Liam Dunn

A versatile defender/midfielder who has progressed from Sunderland RCA Under 18 side,'Dunny' has played for the Durham County Youth side and has a real future ahead of him.

Joe Fairish

Signed from Northallerton Town, having previously played for Bishop Auckland, Joe loves to tackle (sometimes not very well) he can also pass a ball and has great vision. Now well on the road to recovery, following major ankle surgery, it is not long before Joe will be pushing for a first team slot.

Steve Halliday

In his second spell with RCA, Buddy is a quality midfield player. First signed from Seaham Red Star, he played for Chester-le-Street last season. Steve is another with pro experience, has a good range of passing and a massive engine that means he covers every blade of grass.

Wayne Henderson

Wayne moved effortlessly into his 12th season with the club and has proved over the years that he is quality player. He can play in any defensive position and is a good centre forward capable of scoring goals.

Andy Jennings

Combining stature and skill, AJ needs no introduction to Northern League followers. Andy rejoined RCA for the 2011-12 season, where he last played in the 2008-09, scoring 23 goals. His travels have seen him leading the line for Horden, Stokesley, Billingham Town and Jarrow Roofing.

Steve Jones

Steve made the right back spot his own in the promotion season and more than proved his worth in the Division One campaign. He is an excellent defender who relishes the challenges of the first division.

Mark McLeod

Mark is a quality young midfielder who was with Darlington. He is a great passer of the ball.

Adam McGuinness

We thought we had lost him! After signing on at the end of last season, Adam has re-signed. Addsy is a left-sided player with trademark storming, driving runs from left back.

James Oates

One of the best defenders in the first division with South Shields and now for RCA, James has the ability to read the game and makes it look so easy. Always looks comfortable on the ball.

Lee Owens

Lee has returned to his home town and to RCA, where in the 07/08 and 08/09 seasons he made a total of 39 appearances, scoring 13 goals. Able to play on the right or left, Lee combines the three key attributes of a winger: pace, skill and awareness.

Richard Paxton

Recently signed from Shildon in a swap for Ian Maddison, Richard is a strong and versatile defender who plays with his heart on his sleeve. He is a solid, old fashioned defender who likes to tackle and wins his fair share of headers.

Glen Robson

Signed from Newton Aycliffe, Glen is a pacy winger/forward who can score goals. Unfortunately he has suffered with a number of serious injuries in recent years and is only now getting back to anywhere near the level that he showed at Durham City. If he reproduces that form he will be a very good acquisition.

Liam Sandilands

Craig Shields

Keeper Craig returns to the club from Horden CW. He's registered as a player, but his duties will be mostly on the coaching side rather than on the field.

Gary Shields

Gary returned after a short return to Chester-le-Street at the beginning of last season. A Sunderland East End lad who has a wealth of Northern League experience, he scores his fair share of goals and is a great, committed team player. A bit of a joker off the field, he has been known to upset a few opponents with his banter.

Joe Walton

Signed from neighbours Ryhope Colliery Welfare, Joe is a 20 year old with good pace. He is a right-sided midfielder with technical ability and great potential. Joe was Fans’ and Players’ Player of the Year award winner last season.

David Wells

Technically in his third spell at RCA – the first a loan period from Dunston – David joined for the 2011-12 season from Stokesley, left to join Bishop Auckland and returned to RCA in January. A speedy winger with a good cross, he scores his fair share of goals.

Management Team:

Neil Hixon (Manager)

Neil has been around the Northern League for more years than he cares to remember and has brought all of that experience to Sunderland RCA. The last three seasons have seen a distinct improvement in the fortunes of the club, culminating in promotion and Neil has been central to that transformation. He sets high standards and is ably assisted by his backroom staff.

Glen McCartney (Assistant Manager)

Glen was appointed Assistant Manager in the 2008/09 season. He is known for his dependability, passing and quick thinking. He won't admit this, but his playing days are getting fewer, but his motivational skills and dedication are unquestionable, we are lucky to have him on the backroom staff.

George Herd (Head Coach)

Nothing can be written about George that has not already been said. As a coach he is second to none at this level, possibly at any level. He has the respect of everyone at the club and his enthusiasm is infectious. He is at an age when most people would be looking to put their feet up, but not George. He continues to coach at a high tempo and will not accept second best from anyone. A legend in his playing days at Sunderland, he is now a Super Legend as a coach at Sunderland RCA FC.

Ian Smith (Coach)

Sunderland born Ian has joined us from Redby CA, where he was head coach. He's looking to advance his coaching career with RCA as he studies for his UEFA B coaching qualification.

Jimmy Montgomery (GK Coach)

Joining his mate George Herd on the coaching staff, Jim reinforces RCA’s Sunderland credentials. What needs to be said? RCA now have knowledge and experience from the top of the game supporting our keepers.

Upcoming fixtures

Results