The first-team take charge of Blyth Spartans U12's training
Friday, 27 March 2026
Marc Nash, Phil Hogg and a number of first-team players - Callum Dobson, Michael Hogan, Paul Dudgeon, Spencer Ashcroft and Zach Simpson - took charge of a Blyth Spartans U12s training session yesterday evening.
The session saw the young Spartans work closely with senior players, offering a valuable opportunity to learn from those representing the club at first-team level.
First-team boss Marc Nash was delighted to see the connection between the senior squad and the club's junior section maintained:
It was great to do a session for the club's U12 squad. They were all full of energy and eager to work hard.
The quality of the session was excellent and it was also great to see a few first-team team lads get involved as well. It can provide inspiration for the youngsters to emulate the older lads and want to play in the senior team in the years to come.
Goalkeeping coach Phil Hogg also praised the initiative:
Brilliant night at Wensleydale it had a proper Spartans feel about it. Loads of energy, loads of noise and, most importantly, loads of smiles. The lads were flying about trying to impress Nashy and the first-team boys.
But that's what it's all about, giving them that real connection. You could see how inspired they were just being around it. It shows them the pathway is there at this club, if you work hard, enjoy it and stick together, there's a route all the way through to the academy if they want it.
And the big thing is, they're not just players, they're supporters as well. They're the ones behind the goal, banging the drum, backing the lads every week. That connection to them was really special.
Thanks to Nashy, Cal, Spencer, Zach, Dudge and Hogan for giving up their time. Hopefully not the last time we can connect with the juniors.
It was great to see the young Spartans having a great time, and we hope there is more of this to come!
Photographs by Paul Lynch