Tom wades in to take over at Benfield
FORMER Blyth Spartans manager Tom Wade has been named as new manager of Ebac Northern League Division One club Newcastle Benfield.
Wade replaces Mark Convery in the Sam Smith’s Park hot seat and will be at Hillheads to watch his new side take on Whitley Bay on Saturday.
The appointment sees Wade return to a club he led to a Northern League and Brooks Mileson League Cup double during the 2008/09 season.
Since then he helped Blyth Spartans reach the FA Cup Third Round in 2014, a run that saw the Croft Park club beat Hartlepool United in front of the BBC Match of The Day cameras.
Wade had a short spell as jointmanager of Ashington but now returns to the Northern League with his former club lying in 13th place in the Division One table.
The new Benfield boss admitted that the club had always been special to him and is looking forward to getting started.
He said “It will be very, very tough to match what happened in my last spell in charge.
“But there is a very talented squad at the club and one that just needs a little bit of work.
“I’ll be at training on Thursday and will watch the game on Saturday to assess how we are looking.
“It’s great to be back because the club is full of good people and it’s a positive environment to work in.
“We need to improve where we are in the league and I’m very positive that will happen.
“The target is the same as any club, we want to win things.
“But it’s about taking small steps before that can happen.”