Wade - We are ready

On the eve of the new Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Blyth Spartans manager Tom Wade spoke candidly about his side's chances of success this season. Grantham Town make the trip to Croft Park to get the new campaign underway and Wade is "totally confident" that his squad are ready for the challenges ahead.

"It's a tough league and things can look like they are going your way and then something happens to change a game completely. However we have had the best pre-season campaign I have been involved in. Colin Myers has done a great job in training and he has the players fit and flying so I am totally confident that the players are ready.

We've dominated games against Northern League sides whereas in the past I think we would have got beaten and we have more than matched professional sides we have faced. We are ready and we can't wait to get going"

Wade spoke of the "positive atmosphere" going around the club at the moment with several off-field developments taking place and asked everyone to "buy into that" during the new campaign.

"Croft Park is a positive place at the moment, we all have to buy into that and we have to keep it that way. The players are flying, then you have the links with Community Foundation, our new kit sponsor being well received, the clubhouse looking great, the media team are top notch, the Supporters Club are doing a fantastic job and the club store is very impressive.

The atmosphere around the club is dictated by what goes on in games and we all have to come together and get behind the lads to ensure that the positive atmosphere keeps going and going"

Wade took the time to pay tribute to the "never say die" attitude of his players and hoped that factor would help increase attendances at Croft Park this season and hopefully help the team improve on last year's impressive eighth place finish in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

"We know the club hasn't had a great time before last season but we have a young squad of lads who love being here and will run their hearts out for our club. There are still some supporters who a sceptical but we are playing attacking and entertaining football with a group of lads who have a "never say die" attitude that supporters want to see. Hopefully a good start will see those supporters come back because we need each and every one of them"