Arrival | Ex-Newcastle youngster Lewis McNall joins Blyth
Wednesday, 5 May 2021
Blyth Spartans AFC is pleased to announce former Newcastle United striker Lewis McNall has joined the club.
The 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal at Croft Park that sees him commit for the upcoming season along with Rhys Evans, Connor Thomson, Corey McKeown, Jamie Clark, Jordan Hickey, Karl Byrne and Sean Reid.
McNall was highly-rated at Newcastle due to his goal scoring exploits in the 2017 FA Youth Cup but was devastatingly released by the St James' Park club in 2019 following his injury hell.
McNall suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage whilst on loan at Gateshead before being diagnosed with the same problem during a trial at Stoke City.
It meant McNall missed around 30 months of competitive action before gaining valuable minutes at Northern League side Whickham last year.
McNall was asked to prove his fitness by manager Michael Nelson when training with the club - and he has done just that by landing himself a contract in Northumberland.
McNall said: "It's a massive opportunity that I couldn't turn down and I am grateful for that opportunity.
"I've got a good past - I've played at Newcastle, all of the way through the youth teams and I feel like I've still got a lot to give.
"I still believe in my ability, I'm quite confident in that aspect, I feel like I've still got a lot to give in the game and hopefully that can be at Blyth."
Michael Nelson, manager of Blyth Spartans, said: "Lewis has been in training with us for a while and I also know him from my time at Gateshead where he spent some time training with us.
"He is a good technical player who likes to bring others into play and is a very good finisher.
"He's had his trouble with injuries over the last few years but hopefully that is behind him now.
"His hunger and desire has shone through in the last few weeks he's been with us."