Sunderland RCA now an 'attractive proposition' ahead of new Northern League season

There is a fresh feel about Sunderland RCA as they prepare to kick off their 2026/27 Northern League season with a trip to Division Two rivals Durham United.

Mark Forrest has enjoyed a productive summer of recruitment after securing a number of intriguing additions that he hopes will help his side improve on last season’s fourteenth placed finish. Former Newcastle Benfield and Sunderland West End forward Owen Imeson, experienced attacker Kyle Fryatt and former RCA defender Brad Forster are just some of the new additions to Forrest’s ranks ahead of the new campaign.

The season will get underway at Maiden Castle on Saturday as RCA face a home side that finished last season nine points and two places below them in the Division Two table - but did also produce some eye-catching results against sides challenging for promotion. Forrest admitted he is unsure of what to expect as his side get the new season underway - and reflected on a positive summer in the transfer market that he believes shows RCA are now ‘an attractive proposition’ for potential additions.

He told The Echo: “Durham United will be young, energetic and, if we are honest, we are not sure what we will get on the day. We would have preferred to start at home and going away there is a tough start but we are looking forward to it. We are happy with the business we have done this summer and this is my third season and I always said it would take two or three years to be an attractive proposition for players. We identified potential signings early and we did the business. There is one more to come in and then we will assess how the season starts and go from there.”

Fixtures

Friday: Darlington Town v FC Hartlepool Saturday: Alnwick Town v Park View AFC, Billingham Synthonia v Prudhoe YC Seniors, Boldon CA v Grangetown Boys Club, Chester-le-Street Town v Jarrow, Durham United v Sunderland RCA, Newcastle University v Stokesley, Ryton & Crawcrook Albion v Tow Law Town, Seaham Red Star v Billingham Town, Seaton Carew v AFC Newbiggin

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