Interview | Nelson delighted to get Agnew signed up
Thursday, 24 September 2020
Blyth Spartans manager Michael Nelson had to play the waiting game in his pursuit of Liam Agnew - but is now delighted to finally get his man.
The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Gateshead - working alongside Nelson - and played a number of games as they to reached the National League North play-offs.
Nelson revealed he first contacted the North Yorkshire club about Agnew earlier in the summer, however negotiations soon went quiet.
That was until this time last week.
"He was someone I looked at right at the beginning of the summer but he had a year left at Harrogate," the Spartans boss told blythspartans.com.
"I spoke to Harrogate about him and the possibility of bringing him in on loan but it looked like it was going to be too high in terms of the contribution they wanted.
"There were a few other clubs in for him as well, so it went quiet but picked up again in the last seven days.
"I hope working with me again, knowing how I work and the way I sold the club to him had an impact on his decision.
"Early on in the summer, there were other clubs looking into taking him on loan, so I'm really pleased that we've managed to convince him to join Blyth."
Supporters once again played a huge part in Nelson's recruitment via their Future Fund and 1899 Club donations.
Nelson admits his search for new signings took time to get going but not once did the former Hartlepool United defender panic.
He added: "I've said with a few of the deals we've done - we wouldn't be able to get them over the line if it wasn't for the generosity of the fans - and this one is very much the same nature.
"Our recruitment was really slow at the beginning of the summer - I saw on social media concerns from fans that everyone was signing players and we weren't.
"We never really panicked. We always maintained that the closer we got to the season, players were going to come down the ladder and we were quite confident.
"We didn't think this was going to come off two or three weeks ago but Liam organised a settlement with Harrogate and we were able to get him in for a deal that suits him and us as well.
"I'm delighted to get him on board."