Spartans sign Wayne Phillips

Blyth Spartans are delighted to announce that Wayne Phillips has signed for the club from Harrogate Town.

Wayne is no stranger to Croft Park, having made his senior Football debut for the Spartans side in an away win at Hucknall Town in 2003 as a teenager. This was under the management of Paul Baker, who had spotted the talented youngster through his 'day job' at East Durham College.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a few seasons with Blyth before moving onto Whitley Bay and Gateshead - scoring the winning goal for Gateshead, which saw them promoted to the Blue Square National. Following his release from Gateshead he was snapped up by Harrogate Town where he enjoyed a successful season providing ammunition for other new signing Graeme Armstrong.

The pacey winger has regularly been linked with a move back to Blyth and it is hoped that the speed, trickery and crossing ability, which he has demonstrated in numerous games against the Spartans since his departure, will once again entertain the Croft Park faithful.

On signing for the club Wayne commented "It's great to be back, I really enjoyed my first spell at the club and I had no hesitation in returning. I've had plenty of stick on my return visits to the club, so it'll be nice to have the crowd supporting me, rather than against me!

"I also know quite a few of the lads at the club already and have obviously played against the others, so it shouldn't take me too long to settle back in."

Manager Steve Cuggy was also delighted with the signing "Wayne is a superb signing - He'll bring flair, pace and creativity to the club and hopefully get amongst the goals as well.

"Everything has gone well so far on the signing front, probably better than I expected and Wayne is another example of this. I have spoken to the majority of the lads from the current squad and know a few of the lads are still are on holiday and I will speak to them when they return, but everything is going well at the minute."

Welcome back to the club Wayne!