Blue Square Bet North club Blyth Spartans have introduced an exciting new scholarship scheme which provides a direct link between the club’s under 8 squad and the senior team.
The first to benefit from the programme are 18 year olds Eoin Ridley (above) and Michael Simm (below). They were chosen by Blyth manager Mick Tait, General Manager Ian Evans and the Manager of the Spartans’ under 17s squad, Keith Bird.
The scholars train with first team and benefit from the experience of the highly qualified Tait and his assistant Chris Swailes and can travel with the first team to away games.
“The lads are already benefiting from the scheme,” commented Mr. Evans.
“The project has two main aims – to provide a direct link from the youngest junior’s squad to the Blue Square side and to possibly save the club money in the long term by grooming players to possibly play at this high level.”
At the end of each season Tait will decide on whether to keep the youngsters on at senior level and in addition two new scholars will be chosen to join the programme.