Blyth Spartans fans around the world will next season be given further insight into Croft Park thanks to community radio station Radio Northumberland.
The station has announced that it will continue to provide live coverage of Blyth Spartans fixtures for the 2014/15 season, including every home game in every competition and selected away fixtures which will be announced in July.
The coverage – fronted by Radio Northumberland’s Head of Sport Jonny Hall and Spartans Senior Press Officer Mark Carruthers – has been a big success with Spartans supporters and opposing fans across the Evo Stik Northern Premier League.
This season has marked a number of landmarks for Radio Northumberland as they covered their first Blyth away game on the opening day of the season at Marine AFC, a game that attracted a record number of listeners and for the second consecutive season they will also be covering the Northumberland Senior Cup Final at St James’ Park in May.
The coverage has also reached over 15 different countries including Brazil, Australia and Turkey.
Following the announcement that the station will be providing coverage of every Spartans home fixture next season as well as a number of selected away games, Hall revealed his delight at the plaudits the coverage had received.
He said: “We didn’t really know what to expect when we made the announcement last year about the coverage of Spartans, but the reaction has been far beyond what we could have imagined.”
“It is very telling that my inbox is constantly full with supporters of opposition teams praising myself and Mark for the level of professionalism and balance that we deliver in the coverage.”
“We just aim to spread our passion of the game and bring a bit of Croft Park to all supporters that can’t make it to the terraces each week – and I think we will continue to achieve that next year.”
“I must also extend our gratitude to Tom Wade and his coaching staff, as well as all of the players and the lads behind the scenes as well, who have made our jobs so much easier by being so welcoming – we wish them all the best for the closing stages of the season.”
The club have embarked on what seemed like an unlikely play off push this season and currently sit sixth in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League. Their Media Manager Phil Castiaux commented: “The extent and quality of the coverage that Radio Northumberland provides through Jonny and Mark must be the envy of all the other clubs in the Evo-Stik league.”
“The duo have received numerous,well deserved, plaudits for their commentary, that give Spartans fans across the world the opportunity to keep up with how the club is doing. The news that the Station will be continuing to work with the club next season is very much welcomed”
This season is still far from finished for Radio Northumberland and Spartans with the station broadcasting six more of Tom Wade’s side’s remaining fixtures starting with Saturday’s home game with Buxton and including next month’s away trip to play off rivals Ilkeston.