Player news | McKeown option exercised

Blyth Spartans AFC is very pleased to have exercised an option in Corey McKeown's contract to keep the player at Croft Park for the upcoming season. 

The 17-year-old trained and appeared for Blyth last pre-season before being offered a contract in November following the conclusion of his FA Youth Cup run with Morpeth Town.

By making a handful of substitute appearances and continuing to train with the first-team, McKeown gained valuable experience during his first campaign in Northumberland.

And speaking to blythspartans.com about his new deal contract, the teenager admitted the 2019/20 season was a great learning curve.

He told blythspartans.com: "I am over the moon with signing for another year and can't wait for the new season to begin.

"Paul and Lee brought me in last year and helped me a lot. Training and being around the club was an amazing experience for me at such a high standard and young age.

"The biggest thing I learnt from last season was how high the standard is in the league. It's very physically, demanding and fast-paced. 

"I developed a lot in training with the lads and was gutted the season came to an end as I was hopeful of getting more appearances in the league."

And with that in mind, McKeown hopes to impress new manager Michael Nelson when football resumes and stake a claim for a spot in the starting XI.

He added: "I am hoping to get a lot more game time next season and will try my hardest to get myself in the starting line up and stay there.

"The new gaffer has been really good to me. He has shown a lot of positivity and I'm sure he will have plans to ensure the club does well in the seasons to come.

"The fans are great, so I would love to entertain them throughout the season."