Spartans manage to retain sought-after striker Maguire

NATIONAL League North newcomers Blyth Spartans have received a big boost after star striker Dan Maguire signed a lucrative new deal.

Maguire has been Blyth’s leading scorer in three of his five seasons at Croft Park and Player of the Year on four occasions.

The 24-year-old (pictured) struck 37 goals last season as Blyth won the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League title and the County Cup.

A number of clubs were after his signature in the summer, including Conference North rivals Darlington, Spennymoor and Harrogate Town.

The diminutive front man also had the chance to turn professional for the first time by joining National League outfit Gateshead.

Two rounds of talks with the Tynesiders, however, came to nothing after Maguire failed to agree terms, and he will now remain at Blyth.

Manager Alun Armstrong said: “Getting Maguire to sign a new deal was a top priority as he is a natural goalscorer.

“His goals have been very important to Blyth and his work rate is also very good, so it was vital we kept hold of him.

“He is the Premier Division player of the year and certainly has the potential to go higher in the game.”

Armstrong’s son Luke, Maguire’s strike partner, has joined Middlesbrough, though Blyth may get the youngster back on loan.

“It’s hard enough to lose one of your strikers, but trying to replace both of them, and the 60-odd goals they scored between them last season, would have been tough.

“If Maguire does what he did last year, I wouldn’t expect to hold on to him for much longer, as I know for a fact that the bigger clubs will come sniffing again, without a doubt.”