News | Spartans seal double swoop for Richardson and Nicholson

Blyth Spartans are delighted to confirm the double signing of Alex Nicholson and Michael Richardson for the upcoming season.

Both players will be familiar faces for Spartans fans, with each recording over a century of appearances for the club. Both players joined Blyth in 2014, departing two years later, with Nicholson re-joining the club in 2018 as Spartans reached the National League North play-offs.

Defender Nicholson arrives at Blyth off the back off a tremendous title-winning campaign at North East rivals Gateshead and will add versatility and experience to the Spartans back-line.

Richardson arrives from Northern Premier Division East side Hebburn Town, where he played a staring role for the Hornets in the delayed 2020 FA Vase final last year as his side overcame Consett, then managed by Terry Mitchell.

Upon signing for the club, Richardson said, "To be here in the ground, back for the first time in a few years, it's very exciting.

I want to come here and excite fans, that comes with goals and assists. Terry is trying to attract players that can play football, get the ball down, and bring an attractive way of playing football for the fans. That's what they pay their money for. They'll be watching an attacking brand of football and hopefully I can be a part of that.

The fans from what I remember from being here, when teams are travelling up north to come play here on a Tuesday or a Saturday, it can be an intimidating place to play. The memories I have of going 1-0 up here and the crowd rocking - teams don't like it. "

Nicholson added, "I made the decision to come out of full time (after leaving Gateshead), I spoke to many people but as soon as I spoke to Terry it was a no brainer. Given I've been here before and everything Terry said, obviously I know some of the players and all this made it the right decision.

The former Gatehead man, also spoke of what drew him back to Spartans, "A lot of it was what Terry said - what he is wanting to do, what he's wanting to bring in, what he's wanting to do from the start in preseason, the squad he is wanting to build. The fact I have been here before and how good this place can be, and how good we can do as well.

For whatever reason things haven't quite happened in the last season or two. I am not coming to be in a relegation battle or anything like that, I am wanting to be back up that end of the table and pushing to be as competitive as we can be."

Spartans boss Mitchell was delighted to snap up two experienced performers, "I'm delighted to get the first new signings of the season signed sealed and delivered. Alex has just come from the team that was the best team in the league. . He can play anywhere across the back line, good footballer, suits the style of football I want to play.

Michael was here before, had a really good record previously with the club, and if you look at his record at South shields and Hebburn he gets goals. He actually scored against my team (Consett) at Wembley and if you watch the goal back it looks like an easy finish but it's a fantastic goal how he just pulls off, finds space, and shows he's a clever footballer.

I think they've both got good experience, they're good footballers, and should be good for the dressing room."