Sunderland RCA make appointment to coaching team

Twelve months after stepping down as Swales’ assistant manager, Errington confirmed that he would be returning to his former role last week.

He will work alongside the former Ryhope CW manager and coach Mark Cowan as they look to help RCA improve on an underwhelming performance last season.

After securing two consecutive top five finishes in Northern League Division One, the Sunderland LDV Park club were sat in twelfth place when the coronavirus epidemic curtailed the season.

However, Swales believes that Errington’s return will give a boost of confidence to the RCA players and coaches.

He told The Echo: “Gary was very popular with the lads and he packed in last year to have some time out from the game.

“We have brought him back and the lads, the committee and me are all over the moon to have him back involved once again because he was a big part of the club.

“He will help myself and Mark Cowan, he’ll be in as assistant manager and the roles and responsibilities will be as they were before.

“It’s a big positive to have Gary back and we are looking forward to getting started once again.”

When Swales and his newly boosted backroom staff will be able to get back to work remains open to question.

It is just under three months since a Northern League fixture took place and RCA have not played a competitive game since Dylan Elliott and Nathan O’Neill scored in a 2-1 win at Whitley Bay on the first Saturday in March.

Although the Premier League, EFL and National League have been heavily involved in discussions over the completion of their own fixtures, the Northern League were one of a number of leagues in steps three to seven of the pyramid to have their seasons declared void.

At this point in time, there has been little indication as to when the 2020-21 may commence - but Swales explained that the club’s players are keeping active during lockdown as the prepare for news on when preparations can officially get underway.