Hutchinson delight at new deal

After signing a new contract with the club Blyth Spartans defender Ryan Hutchinson admitted that the hard work was only just beginning. The centre back put pen to paper on a deal at Croft Park on Monday night and immediately set his sights on the future.

"I'm very happy to sign the contract, it has been a very good season so far and it's a great moment for me. However now I just want to keep working hard for the team and hopefully keep improving throughout the months ahead"

When Hutchinson joined Spartans from Northern Alliance side Seaton Delaval he was initially seen as a midfielder. However he was handed the chance to partner Nathan Buddle at the heart of the Spartans back four in the season opener at home to Grantham Town and has impressed in his new role.

While admitting he still had a lot to learn as a defender Hutchinson was quick to pay tribute to his team mates and the coaches at Spartans for helping him settle.

"The players and coaches around me are always giving me advice, whether that's in training or during games it is great to have that. I feel like the more I play at centre back the more I am learning the position and hopefully can get better and better"

Hutchinson has been an integral part of what has already been a memorable season for the club. Progress to the Third Round of the FA Cup has handed the Northumberland outfit a home tie with SkyBet Championship club Birmingham City.

That cup run has had an impact on Spartans league performance too and at present they have as many as ten games in hand on their league rivals.

However Hutchinson challenged his team mates to show what they are made of between now and the end of the season.

"We are in good form at the moment and we need to keep that going. We know we have a lot of games in hand so we need to win them and push ourselves up the table towards the play offs. You can't ignore the Birmingham City game and we want to show what we can do and do ourselves justice there. There is plenty to look forward to"