Fenton quests for survival – but driving high standards at Spartans is just as vital
GRAHAM Fenton has set his sights on driving high standards at Blyth Spartans – but he knows the immediate aim is National League North survival, writes MARK CARRUTHERS.
Just under a month has passed since the former Blackburn Rovers star ended his eight-month absence from the dugout after agreeing to succeed Terry Mitchell at Croft Park.
He took over a Spartans side that had lost their first two games of the season but quickly made an impact as he settled into his new role.
Fenton’s first game came just hours after his appointment was confirmed as his new side battled to a 1-1 draw at promotion contenders Chorley.
Six points were then gained from a home game with Gloucester City and a visit to newly-promoted Buxton – but defeats against Scarborough Athletic and Peterborough Sports have left Fenton’s men sat one point and three places above the drop zone.
Spartans are due return to action when they host Farsley Celtic on Tuesday night and Fenton is ready for the challenges that lie in wait.
“The goal is absolutely to stay in the league,” he told the Sunday Sun.
“I am not trying to set the bar too low for us here but when you look at the last three seasons, it’s been tough.
“We want to stay in the league, but if we can finish more towards midtable, or top half, brilliant, but we won’t set the bar too high.
“It will take a little bit of time to get to those levels but I drive high standards and we won’t be happy until we are pushing towards the top.”
The former North Shields manager had been without a job since he departed South Shields in January.
The move caused surprise around the North East non-league scene after Fenton helped the Mariners progress up the non-league pyramid during his time at the 1st Cloud Arena.
His absence from the dugout was put to good use as the new Spartans manager revealed he spent his time ‘adding to his knowledge’ in preparation for a return.
Now, he is ready to put his hard work to good use as he gets to grips with the highs and lows of working at Croft Park.
“The game is the game, you know what you want to see. Even though I hadn’t been in a job for eight months, I was still watching a lot of football.
“I was trying to add to my knowledge by getting out and watching games. The habit of being in the dugout was always about encouraging lads to improve and to play but it’s about driving standards to win games of football and that’s what we are trying to do here.”
Tuesday’s home game with Farsley is quickly followed by another Croft Park clash as Spartans host Guiseley in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday.