Blyth Spartans have teamed up with New Hartley FC to create a new Blyth Spartans Reserve side for next season.
An application has been made for the newly formed side to play in the Northern Alliance League Division Two from 2017/18 at the request of Spartans manager Alun Armstrong, who has agreed a deal with New Hartley boss Colin Wotherspoon – in order to give Blyth access to some of the best young unsigned talent in the North East.
Spartans Reserves will play a number of their fixtures at Croft Park, but the side will also allow Armstrong the chance to look at players before introducing them into the first team squad – as well as getting players back to full fitness without risking them in the club’s first season back in the Vanarama National League North.
Armstrong said: “This agreement gives us the best chance to pick up some of the best young talent that miss out on professional deals in the local area. It’s a natural progression for the New Hartley junior sides to make the step up and, if we can pick up one or two youngsters as they develop in the Alliance, they can come and train with the first team.
“If they’re good enough, then they can make the step up again into the first team squad. There’s plenty of opportunities for decent players to make an impression here at Blyth and it’s something that I’m glad to be giving my full backing to.
“It’s a partnership that works for everyone as well – as they want an outlet for their lads to help develop them into semi-professional footballers and we can provide that.”
Any players interested in joining the reserve side, please send a brief playing background to Colin Wotherspoon on 07753522199 or Daniel McManus on 07736456407. All information will be held in the strictest confidentiality.
Blyth Spartans Reserves are also looking for a match secretary as well, with requires attendance to all home and away games for the side. If anyone is interested in this position, please email your CV to general manager Ian Evans at generalmanager@blythspartans.com.