Spartans’ boss Army aims to put one over club close to his heart

IT will be a special day for Blyth Spartans manager Alun Armstrong as he returns to a club which played a key part in his football career.

A 3,000-strong crowd is expected at Edgeley Park as third-top Blyth take on big guns Stockport County in their own backyard.

Armstrong joined the Hatters from Newcastle United as a raw teenager in 1994 and went on to score 62 goals in 200 games.

His goalscoring record earned a £1.6million move to Middlesbrough, but Armstrong will attempt to put one over a club close to his heart.

He said: “I had a great time at Stockport. We won promotion to the Championship and we even beat Blyth in the FA Cup!

“The fee received when I was sold to Middlesbrough was a record for the club, which I believe still stands. They were special times and great memories. The club has fallen on hard times since, though I feel they will be in the promotion shake-up.

“I had a great rapport with the fans, so hopefully I will get a good reception on my return - but my focus is on getting all three points.”

Stockport will close to within three points of the Spartans if they manage to make Armstrong’s return one to forget.

Armstrong – linked with vacant managerial posts at both Gateshead and Darlington – will have Damon Mullen back in the squad but is still short on numbers.

New striker Greg Rutherford is again likely to be unavailable but top scorer Dan Maguire has been named National League North player of the month. Subject of a £50,000 bid from AFC Fylde, Maguire was one of four Blyth players at a recent England C training camp at Lilleshall.