Player news | Dale signs up for 17th consecutive season

Blyth Spartans AFC is thrilled to announce club legend Robbie Dale has once again signed for the upcoming season.

Dale needs absolutely no introduction having made his debut back in March 2005 - memorably scoring a hat-trick against Wakefield and Emley.

And the 35-year-old hasn't looked back, playing and scoring for Spartans in every season since and well and truly writing his name in club history.

He is the club's all-time leading appearance holder and second top goalscorer behind the great Brian Slane.

Indeed, his current tally of 680 appearances and 212 goals can only increase as he embarks on his 17th season at Croft Park.

Dale, after signing his new deal, told blythspartans.com: "It'll be nice to see everybody and play some games - hopefully that will be a sign of when life is back to normal.

"Last year wasn't good enough. From top to bottom, we've got a lot of things we need to put right and we've all got a responsibility to make that better.

"We can't go through what happened last year. It is not nice for anyone involved - that includes fans, players, board and management. We've got to take it on the chin and come back stronger."

Dale joins Rhys Evans, Kris Thackray and Corey McKeown to commit their futures to Blyth as we await confirmation of our league status.

He added: "It's awkward to try and prepare for next season but I've been impressed with Micky. He seems like a good man and he's got ideas.

"Hopefully when we get back to training, everyone will come back focussed and get off to a good start - whenever the season begins.

"We didn't do that last season during the first 10 games and we were playing catch up. We can't afford to do that."