Announcement | Assistant Manager appointed

The club is delighted to announce that former professional footballer and manager John Cornforth has joined the Spartans as the assistant to boss Tom Wade.

The 49-year-old spent a short period at Croft Park under Tom Wade three years ago.

"I'm delighted to be back at Blyth!" said 49-year-old Sunderland-based Cornforth. "I needed to get back into football after a break following working as a coach in Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Once Tom asked me for a chat it was only ever going to be with Blyth for me. I've kept in touch with Tom and I know we're on the same wave length as each over. He's done an unbelievable job over the past few years and I can't wait to help out."

Cornforth notched up 322 league starts as a professional footballer for clubs such as Sunderland, Swansea, and Cardiff and Exeter. He managed Exeter and Torquay as well as picking up two caps for Wales before a cruciate ligament injury halted his playing career.

Whitely Bay born Cornforth has nothing but praise for the Spartans - on and off the pitch.

"I know a lot of the players and they are great lads. I know we've lost a couple of players but having Stephen Turnbull back is huge. He's my type of player. I too was a play-making central midfielder. Off the pitch there's so much happening like the new 3G surface, and the Media Team who do such a lot seem be being regularly poached by other clubs-maybe they should be on contracts! In addition I understand there will be news soon on the commercial side and the pitch is looking superb.

"Blyth is a proper football club; steeped in history. And I've always received a tremendous welcome whenever I've been back.

"It's all looking good and I'm hoping that we can go one better this season than we achieved last time round."

Tom Wade commented: "It's brilliant news having John back with us. He's got such a wealth of experience and will add so much to the club."