Club Statement | Reserve team discontinued

Blyth Spartans AFC has taken the decision to discontinue its reserve team next season and resign our membership of the Northern Alliance Football League.

A reserve team can provide a vehicle for players to step up to the first team or it can provide an avenue for first-team players who are recovering from injury and need "game time" as part of their rehabilitation. It also gives players not selected for the first team squad an opportunity to retain match fitness.

The potential benefits need to be offset against the cost of running the team and in the current financial climate, the costs did not justify the return on the investment.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all that were involved in running the team and the players for their time and commitment.

We remain absolutely committed to developing the football pathway and to this end, we are enhancing our links with Tyne Metropolitan College and will field a team in the National League Under 19 Alliance next season.

Matches are played on Wednesday afternoons and will take place at Croft Park whenever possible. Further details will be announced in due course.