The club can announce that three of last season’s players have put pen to paper and re-signed for Blyth Spartans, for the upcoming campaign.
Wayne Buchanan
The 30-year-old has been the mainstay of the Spartans defence for the last couple of seasons and is a popular member of the club’s playing staff. Despite the Spartans form last season, Bucks was one of a few who performed at a consistently high standard and left the end of season Players’ Presentation Night with the Supporters’ Club Player of the Year, The Press Player of the Season and the Port of Blyth Player of the Season.
It is hoped that the big Northern Irish defender will continue this good form next season as he closes in on 100 appearances in a green and white shirt.
Carl Jones
Bucks’ central defensive partner Jones suffered through with numerous niggling little injuries, but when he played showed that he was a consistent, unfussy and effective performer. He will be hoping for a injury campaign and a consistent run of games to show everyone at Croft Park just what he can do.
Sam Hodgson
The tall midfielder was one of new manager Tommy Cassidy’s first signings from previous club Whitby Town. He went onto provide a degree of steel to a lightweight Spartans midfield and provided the no-nonsense, simple style of play that often goes unnoticed by many.
Assistant Manager Paddy Atkinson commented “The lads are really happy at Blyth and had no hesitation in re-signing for the club and are keen to get going with the preseason training. In fact a couple of the lads, including Carl Jones, have asked for some additional sessions prior to the main pre-season sessions starting, so we are having a few runs and maybe a session at the dunes to ease them back and give them a platform to work from.”
“I have spoken to Carl Jones regarding his injuries last season and where these have stemmed from, this will allow me to tailor his training to try and avoid him picking them up this season. I did the same at the start of last pre-season with Bedlington’s Richard Flynn and it proved really successful, hopefully it will work as well for Carl as when he is fit and playing he is a real assest to the team.”
“Tommy is back on Tuesday and I know he has loads of players, both new and old, that he is going to speak to, so hopefully we’ll be able to start getting a few more players signed and announced”
Welcome back to the club lads!
