Blyth Spartans, who were scheduled to face Vanarama National League side Hartlepool United on Tuesday July 18, will now face a Sunderland XI that evening at Croft Park (7.30pm kick-off.)
News broke earlier today that our scheduled visitors Hartlepool were no longer able to fulfil the pre-season fixture.
Blyth manager Alun Armstrong stated: “Both ourselves and Hartlepool were trying to arrange a friendly with Sunderland over the summer, but they were unable to commit to anything until they had a permanent manager in place. Then the date they wanted, we’d already agreed to play Hartlepool.
“Sunderland came up with the idea of sending a team to both which suited all parties. Ideally, I would have still liked to play Hartlepool on another date, but it wasn’t to be.
“However, the game against Sunderland will be another great challenge for our players.”
Ticket prices for the Sunderland game will be £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.