Region’s clubs are making waves on and off the pitch
GATESHEAD manager Neil Aspin has indicated his work in the transfer market this summer is complete.
Former Walsall and Oldham defender Theo Vassell became the ninth new face at the International Stadium when he signed on Friday.
With JJ O’Donnell offered a new deal after more than two years out and youngster Jon Mellish promoted from the Academy the figure rises to 11.
That has taken the size of the squad up to 24, former Stoke City trainee Vassell one of eight 20-year-old’s in the Heed squad.
Only five are older than 25, former Cheltenham, Kidderminster and York City midfielder Russell Penn the only player the wrong side of 30.
Penn, 31, has signed permanently for the Heed after a loan spell at Gateshead last year from Carlisle United.
The Midlander is favourite to take over the captaincy, though new central defender Neill Byrne is another contender.
The Heed are going for youth and pace in a bid to reach the play-offs, which extend down to seventh place in the National League this year.
They continue their pre-season campaign at Whitby Town on Tuesday and at home to a Newcastle United X1 next weekend.
So far a different side has taken the field in all of their four pre-season friendlies, Aspin with plenty of options and permutations.
“What he have this season is a greater depth with more options and competition for places all across the park. We have young players able to come into the side and make their mark. They have potential that we want to develop at Gateshead.”
Season tickets have been considerably reduced with Newcastle and Sunderland season ticket holders given a 33% reduction in admission prices at the gate.
HARTLEPOOL United’s final game in the Football League against Doncaster Rovers was televised - and Pools are back in front of the cameras next month.
The club’s first away game at newcomers Maidenhead United on the second weekend of the season is a TV pick by National League media partners BT Sport. A 12:30pm kick-off will mean an early start for Pools’ travelling fans.
Manager Craig Harrison further strengthened his squad with the capture of former Magpie Conor Newton.
The 25-year-old midfielder is the latest former Newcastle or Sunderland player to be brought back to the North East by new boss Craig Harrison.
Earlier the Victoria Park outfit brought in defender Louis Lang, a year younger than Newton, whose career began at Sunderland.
Newton was at Cambridge United last season and Laing Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hartlepool casting their net far and wide.
Former Newcastle striker Ryan Donaldson headed north from Plymouth Argyle and former Black Cat Blair Adams from north of the border.
Harrison’s first two games in charge saw Pools rack up 13 goals without conceding in big wins at Northern League sides Billingham Town and Dunston.
Tougher tests are on the horizon, Sunderland at The Vic on Tuesday followed by a trip to Scotland to take on SPFL side St Johnstone.
Harrison has been pleased with the start to pre-season made by his newlook squad. “Every team I have been involved with as a manager has been a passing team, but in modern day football you need to be an athlete,” said Harrison. “The base we build in these weeks has to be right. If they keep working hard then I will look after them – that’s all I want.”
BLYTH SPARTANS manager Alun Armstrong expects his promotion winning squad to rise to the occasion this week.
Spartans entertained Carlisle United yesterday, face a Sunderland X1 at home on Tuesday and then Middlesbrough U-23s next weekend.
Three games against professional opposition will test Blyth’s resolve after they opened their pre-season campaign with draws against Northern League opposition.
“No disrespect to West Auckland and Shildon, who both gave us very good games, but this week is a big step up for the players,” said Armstrong.
“As a player you want to go in against the big clubs and we’ll have to be 100% better this week – the lads know that.”
Middlesbrough are likely to include Alun Armstrong’s son Luke, whose goals helped Blyth win the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League title last season.
Spartans have had three goalkeepers on trial, including former Harrogate Town keeper Chris Elliott and ex. Gateshead back-up keeper Shaun MacDonald.
The youngster is currently on trial at Blackburn Rovers after being released by the Heed, Jack Norton the third goalkeeper Blyth are having a look at.
Newcastle United teenage custodian Paul Woolston was on loan at Croft Park last season and could return for a second spell.
Spartans are also keen to bring former Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Lewis Horner back to Croft Park, the 25-year-old currently on trial in Ireland.
DARLINGTON
DARLINGTON return to their former home, the Darlington Arena, on Monday when they host a Newcastle United XI.
The pre-season friendly against the Magpies is Darlington’s third warmup game, defeat at Shildon followed by a 5-1 win at Newton Aycliffe.
The Quakers entertained a young Newcastle side at The Arena last season and are hoping for a crowd of around 2,000.
“Newcastle will be sending a talented squad with plenty of potential and this will be a good game for us,” said manager Martin Gray.
“I was pleased with the way we played at Newton Aycliffe, especially the first half, and we scored some good goals.”
AFC Fylde defender Dom Collins has so far been the only addition to the squad, but another is expected this week.
Gray has run the rule over a number of trialists, much-travelled striker Richard Brodie the most high profile. Brodie, now 30, is looking for his 10th club having also featured on loan at another six clubs.
Former Preston North End youth player Josh Heaton also played in the friendly at Shildon, winger James Caton involved at Newton Aycliffe.
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
SPENNYMOOR Town are developing their off-thepitch operation to match the success of the side on it.
Owner Bradley Groves has financed the Moors’ climb up the pyramid and has now restructured the Board.
“We’ve rearranged our board slightly to allow our management team more power to run the club on a dayto-day basis,” said Groves.
“With the installation of the management team, I’ve created space on the board, which I’ll be looking to fill in coming weeks and months.
“This will be with new members and investors, who we are looking to bring in to give the club a more varied stakeholder base.”
The Brewery Field outfit has also recruited the services of a full-time Communications and Content Adviser as they prepare for their first season of Conference football.
The management team on the pitch remains the same, long-serving manager Jason Ainsley backed by former Football League pair Tommy Miller and Alan White.
The Moors won the first two games of their seven match pre-season friendlies with 4-0 wins at Billingham Town and Stockton Town.
SOUTH SHIELDS
SOUTH Shields will kick-off their EvoStik 1st division north campaign following promotion at Trafford on 12th August.
Brighouse Town provide the opposition for their opening game at Mariners Park three days later, South Shields tipped for consecutive promotions.
“We play a lot of sides that finished in the top ten last season during the first two months, so that should give us a good guide,” said joint-manager Lee Picton.
“We’ve got Kendal Town and Scarborough Athletic, who’ll be up there, over the festive period and they’ll attract big crowds.
“The fans travelled in good numbers last season and I’m sure we’ll take a big to Cumbria on Boxing Day and to Scarborough on August Bank Holiday.
Picton is keen to see Shields go on a run in the FA Cup, Bridlington Town or Billingham Synthonia their preliminary round opponents.
“The FA Cup was the only blot on our copybook last season. We’d like to do well in it this year and have a squad capable of doing so.”
South Shields will be unable to defend the FA Vase as they have moved up to the FA Trophy where they start at Scarborough in October.