We’re all in this together - Wade

Ahead of his side's FA Cup Second Round clash with Hartlepool United Tom Wade issued a rallying call to the travelling band of Blyth Spartans supporters making their way to Victoria Park. The Green Army have been a constant source of encouragement during an epic cup run that has seen Spartans see off the likes of Darlington, Skelmersdale United and Conference side Altrincham to make their way into the second round of a competition that the club has become synonymous with.

Wade - who has the luxury of selecting his starting eleven from a fully fit squad - was honest in his assessment of the fixture against the SkyBet League Two and insisted that if his side are to make it through to the Third Round then everyone at the club must be together in their support.

"We all know what Croft Park is like when we have our normal home crowd in there, it's very noisy. Tonight we have an even bigger support and we have lads travelling from Cannock, Stoke and Coventry so the support is massive. It will spur the lads on, we need our supporters to feel like it is a home game and they will do that. They have to know just how important they are to us and if we are to win we have to realise we are all in this together"

The Spartans manager is currently on his most successful run as a manager in a competition he hailed as "the best cup competition in the world" also had a simple but special message for the Green Army ahead of the tie.

"Be loud, just be loud and proud. We appreciate everything they do and the time and money they spend following us and they are massive for us. We will give them everything we have. We win together and we lose together, whatever happens we will give them our all"

For Wade the tie has extra meaning. The former Newcastle Benfield manager is as a lifelong Spartans supporter who was there to witness the historic 1977/78 cup run that saw the club set a new record in the competition for the longest run by a Non-League club. Wade feels that his squad are ready for the test and whilst admitting they are underdogs felt certain that they would give their all.

"I think we are ready, we are confident that we will put a performance on. Hartlepool United are favourites, there's no doubt about that but we will go to the game and enjoy it. We have to work hard and put a lot of effort in and the result will take care of itself"