Pre-Season schedule announced

There is a distinctly Scottish flavour to Blyth Spartans pre-season with three sides travelling down to Croft Park from North of the Border.

Cowdenbeath FC, Stranraer FC and SPL side St Mirren will all provide the opposition for Tom Wade's side during a very competitive pre-season campaign.

First up on Saturday 5th July is a home fixture with EBAC Northern League side Whitley Bay, on a weekend where Croft Park hosts it's first ever beer festival.

The first of the Scottish sides are up next as Championship side Cowdenbeath travel to Croft Park on Saturday 12th July, kick off is at 3pm. The Blue Brazils finished ninth in their league last season and are managed by former Northern Ireland international Jimmy Nicholl.

Three days later on Tuesday 15th July Shildon AFC are at Croft Park for a 7.30pm kick off and that's quickly followed by another home game, this time with Stranraer FC. The Scottish League One side provide the opposition on Saturday 19th July.

Spartans hit the road for the first time in pre-season although it won't be for long as they head along the coast to face Graham Fenton's North Shields side at the Daren Persson Stadium. The game with the newly promoted Robins takes place on Tuesday 22nd July with a 7.30pm kick off.

It's back to Croft Park four days later for a game with SPL side St Mirren. The Buddies are now managed by former Newcastle United and Scotland star Tommy Craig.

On Tuesday 29th July Spartans face Northern Alliance side Seaton Delaval Amateurs before finishing pre-season with a friendly on Saturday 2nd August against an opposition which will be confirmed in due course.

The full schedule is:
Saturday 5th July: Whitley Bay (H) 3pm
Saturday 12th July: Cowdenbeath FC (H) 3pm
Tuesday 15th July: Shildon AFC (H) 7.30pm
Saturday 19th July: Stranraer FC (H) 3pm
Tuesday 22nd July: North Shields (A) 7.30pm
Saturday 26th July: St Mirren (H) 3pm
Tuesday 29th July: Seaton Delaval Amateurs (A) 7.30pm
Saturday 2nd August: TBC