Interview | Nelson 'proud and honoured' to be Spartans boss

Michael Nelson says he is "proud and honoured" at becoming the new manager of Blyth Spartans. 

The former Hartlepool United defender was appointed on a permanent basis earlier today having originally stepped in until the end of the 2019/20 season back in March.

Nelson initially joined Blyth as a player but was soon placed in charge of the first-team, but oversaw just one game after the coronavirus brought the campaign to a premature end.

Indeed, it has been a surreal start for the 40-year-old at Croft Park, though Nelson insists it has been made easier due to the overwhelming amount of support during these unprecedented times. 

Nelson said: "To get the job - I'm very proud and honoured to be given the chance.

"It was a pretty crazy start - a whirlwind. I remember first coming in as a player - the first game I was meant to play in was called off.

"I was then asked to manage the Brackley game before being asked to take it until the end of the season and just see what materialised.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't play any games because of the coronavirus, so I saw very little of the lads - it was three or four training sessions and one game - that was it.

"I must say, the people at the club have been brilliant. All the backroom staff have helped me enormously.

"Gary Neasham and Peter Henderson along with Mike (Coulson) in the office and the chairman and vice-chairman - they've been brilliant.

"Everyone at the club has been a big help to try and cope with what is going."

Preparations are underway for next season, despite Blyth still unaware of when it will begin or what division they will be in.

He added: "We're still waiting to find out more information from the National League on our league status and start dates for next season.

"The club have been quite proactive in making this appointment in such uncertain times - that is a credit to them for looking to the future and trying to move forward.

"Hopefully we can make a success of it and work hard together with the squad we assemble to try and get the club moving in the right direction."