Cartwright is ready to rock with the Robins

EX-BLACK CAT SIGNS DEAL

FORMER Sunderland and Blyth Spartans defender Andrew Cartwright has become the latest addition at Northern League Division One club North Shields.

The Robins confirmed that a deal had been agreed to sign the full-back on Friday afternoon – although the move is subject to approval by the FA and Northern League.

Cartwright – son of former Newcastle United player Peter Cartwright – has spent the last two years in Australia and played for Western Knights during his time down under.

However, it is with Blyth Spartans where the defender experienced the high point of his career.

Cartwright made 85 app- earances for the club after joining them from Sunderland and he also represented England C during his time at Croft Park.

He will now turn his attention towards helping North Shields build on an impressive performance in Northern League Division One and he admitted that he will be aiming high when the all-clear is given for grassroots football to return.

He told the Robins website: “I am really excited to be joining North Shields.

“I’ve known Nashy (Marc Nash, North Shields manager) for a long time and when coming home from Australia, I was really keen to get involved in the great work being done at the club. The training has been great, and I just want to get on the pitch and contribute to the already great team.

“I will also be following in the steps of my dad (Peter) and brother (Phil) who both are ex-north Shields players and it makes me really proud to be playing for the club.

“I think first and foremost we have to be aiming for the top of the league.

“From what I’ve seen the players are excellent on the pitch and really close together off it too which is a great recipe for success.

“I’m really excited to get going.” Cartwright is the fourth new addition that Nash has made to his squad this summer. Former Robins striker Dan Wilson has returned to the club from Seaham Red Star and defender Anthony Myers and midfielder David Robinson also joined from their Division One rivals.

Nash hailed the signing of Cartwright and believes that the full-back could easily ply his trade higher up the nonleague pyramid.

He said: “Andrew has plenty of pedigree having played pro at Sunderland and then played in a very successful Blyth Spartans team before heading off to Australia.

“We know he could play higher but with his work situation he needs to be local, so we are delighted to add him to our squad. Cartwright contacted me back in January when he was away in Australia... so we have spoken quite a bit and now he’s trained and been impressed so we agreed a deal.”

The training has been great, and I just want to get on

the pitch and contribute to the already great team.

Andrew Cartwright