Management | Barron arrives as Blyth no.2

Blyth Spartans AFC is pleased to announce Michael Barron as assistant manager to Michael Nelson.

The 45-year-old is well known for his long association with Hartlepool United as a player and a coach - establishing himself as a club legend at Victoria Park.

Barron first joined Pools as a player in 1996 on loan from Middlesbrough and then signed permanently a year later.

In over a decade as a Pools player, Barron amassed 374 appearances before gradually progressing into the coaching set up upon his retirement.

Highs as a player involved captaining Pools to two promotions from League Two and leading them out in the 2004/05 League One Play-Off Final.

Under Mick Wadsworth, Barron was assistant manager and also had two caretakers spells in 2011 and 2012 at the County Durham club.

Barron has a close relationship with Nelson from their time at the Vic. Between them, the pair featured 680 times for Pools.

"I've known Nelse for a long time," Barron said after discussing his appointment. "He's a good friend of mine.

"I did speak to him last season about joining but at the time, it wasn't quite the right situation.

"But after speaking with him last week, we ironed out a few different things and he told me about the project and everything about the club.

"It's now a good time for me to get back into football."

Nelson added: "I tried to bring Micky in when I first got the caretaker role to help me for however long it would be but he couldn't commit with work and then COVID hit.

"Fortunately, now the timing seems to be better and thankfully he can come on board.

"Micky has a great understanding of the game and has coached at a higher level as well as working in scouting and analysing opposition for clubs.

"Most of all, we are good friends who have a lot of trust in each other."