Blyth Spartans are delighted to announce the signing of striker Michael Sweet from Northern League Division One side Consett AFC.
Sweet, who turns 25 on Sunday, began his career at Gateshead, where he boosted an impressive goalscoring record for their under-19s – winning the Football Conference Youth Alliance North Division in 2012 – and reserve side.
Similar to that of current Spartan Jack Butler, Sweet appeared for England Schoolboys in 2011/12 and scored the opener for the Three Lions in an encounter with Scotland at St James’ Park in front of 2,500 spectators.
While a first-team opportunity at Gateshead never arrived, Sweet made his senior debut for hometown club Darlington in 2012 but cruelly saw his loan spell abruptly cut short due to injury and was released by The Heed at the end of the season.
Billingham Synthonia quickly snapped up Sweet’s signature and it didn’t take long to see why when he was voted the club’s Player of the Year with 32 goals in his debut season.
His knack for scoring goals has followed him throughout his career after Sweet ended his four seasons at Consett with a remarkable 128 goals in just 173 games.
“I’m very excited about joining Blyth Spartans,” Sweet said. “It was a very easy decision because of the level and the standard is high.”
“After a conversation with Peter Jeffries and a few other people I had to jump at this chance – I just want to play at the highest level I can.
“I like to play through the middle as a number 9, play in behind, run the channels and just get myself in the box as much as I can, and try my best to put the chances I get away.”
Sweet becomes Lee Clark’s 12th signing of the summer, following Robbie Dale, Ryan Hutchinson, Jack Butler, Lewis Horner, Joe Robson, Jake Orrell, Rhys Evans, Anthony Callaghan, Dale Pearson, James Martin and Tom Devitt in those to pen deals with Blyth.