Will Jenkins joins Rochdale

South Shields Football Club can confirm that Will Jenkins has departed the club to join League Two side Rochdale for an undisclosed fee.

The move follows an outstanding campaign for the midfielder, who established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet under Ian Watson and Carl Magnay. His performances & leadership qualities throughout the season also earned him the role of vice-captain.

Jenkins featured in every Enterprise National League North fixture during the 2025/26 season, only missing the club's play-off matches towards the end of the campaign, where he also registered ten goals and twenty-five assists in fifty-two games.

Having joined the South Shields FC Academy at the age of 15, Will progressed through every stage of the club's pathway before gaining valuable senior experience during loan spells with Dunston UTS and Morpeth Town.

Everyone at South Shields Football Club is immensely proud to have played a part in Will's development over the past nine years, providing him with the platform to showcase his ability and fulfill his potential.

His move to the English Football League is another example of the pathway South Shields can provide for young, ambitious players, demonstrating the path available through both our current Academy programme and those who will follow in the years ahead.

From the South Shields Academy to the EFL, Will's journey is one the entire club can be proud of.

We thank Will for his outstanding commitment and contribution during his time at South Shields FC and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career with Rochdale.