So with all the playoffs just about done, everyone’s retained lists will soon be out and many teams will be looking to sign up some new faces. I’ve no doubt this summer will see Spartans require a lot of new faces as well, given the ending to our season.
With that in mind, we hope that signing scarf will be getting plenty of use across the next month!
So, here is the first part of a look at some of the best young players in the NPL Premier Division, NPL First Division East and the Ebac Northern League that would likely be wise moves.
Jack Maskell – Striker
A well known player after his form this season, Maskell started life out at Horden Community Welfare before linking up with Dunston UTS this summer. In the regular season he scored 23 goals in 34 games – then going on to notch hat-trick in playoff final the other day, which Dunston of course lost. In 2020 he even earned himself a trial with then League One side Sunderland.
At just 20 years old, the sky is the limit for Maskell. Described as a player with power, pace and work rate who’s good in the air, aggressive and is a natural goalscorer – he is an absolute no brainer for me. Maskell has all the attributes required to become one of the best strikers around. He is however on contract until 2025, so he’ll command a fee. Then again the 1899 fund has plenty of cash in it…
Nathan Harker – Goalkeeper
A familiar player to many Spartans fans, Nath has really turned it around after leaving NUFC in 2020. After a short spell at Scarborough Athletic, he dropped all the way down to the Northern League 2nd Division with Bedlington Terriers, but his impressive form quickly earned him a move to Whickham in the summer of 2022.
His fine form helped him win a deal with Marske, though injuries did hamper his time there. He’s spent the latter half of the 2023/24 season with Stockton Town – helping them victory in the playoff final against Dunston a few days ago.
An agile shot stopper who is comfortable in the air, I’ve no doubt Nath will get a chance to continue his rise back up the football pyramid sooner rather than later. At 25 years old he still has a fair bit of room to get even better and I’m fairly confident he will do just that.
Jude Swailes – Centre Back
The young centre back originally came through the NUFC academy, before spending some time in the US College System with Charleston. Now 22-years-old, Jude has developed into a solid ‘no nonsense defender’ across the last 2 and a half years, becoming a mainstay in Dunston’s defence.
Known for being strong in the air and unafraid to put a heavy tackle in, Jude would be the sort of player that we should look to bring in to help revolutionise the defence. Though he may take some time to adjust to NPL Premier Division, Swailes has bags of potential and if he hits the ground running – he may well outgrow us.
Nic Bollado – Winger/Striker
A North Shields lad who started out at Carlisle United, Bollado linked up with Morpeth Town last season after a short spell with FCUM. Operating as a striker throughout most of his career, he has been used on either wing which for me is where he would be best suited.
A skilful lad with undeniable flair who is still on 19-years-old, he’s considered a player with a very high ceiling. Glimpses of which would have been on display last season, where he netted 6 times in 22 games for Morpeth. With Nic still being so young, I imagine a lot of teams in and around the area have their eye on him.
Scott Robson – Striker
The 24-year-old originally started at Morpeth Town before linking up with the Park View academy under the old Carlisle United name, where he won the NLFA North Division and the NLFA Academy Cup. Eventually he joined Whickham in 2019 – where’s developed into one of the Northern League’s top players within the last few years.
If you’ve seen any of the clips Whickham have posted on social media in recent weeks, you’ll know exactly what he’s about – often reminding many of us of a young Dan Maguire with is pace, trickery and poaching abilities. A former Northern League young player of the year, Robson notched over 50 goals in all competitions last season.
With the momentum and confidence Robson will have at present, there is every chance he’d be able to walk into our team and breathe new life into it. That being said, competition for him will no doubt be fierce.
Kieran Hunter – Goalkeeper
A bit of an outlier here for some but hear me out. Hunter won the number one shirt at Hebburn during the 2023/24 season, and also impressed when on a dual reg with Blyth Town and Northallerton Town. He may be slightly undersized, but he’s been known to make some brilliant saves and is without a doubt, developing into one of the best young goalkeepers around.
While he isn’t as experienced as Nathan Harker, Hunter has seemingly been thrown in at the deep end throughout his entire career and has shone every time. While the step up to the NPL Premier Division is a big one, he may be worth a chance. If possible, it may be wise to sign him on a contract and loan him out to another NPL side to let him get some more experience during the 2024/25 campaign.
Arron Thompson – Centre Midfielder
The Hebburn Town centre midfielder has been someone who’s long been considered an underrated player, with many South Shields fans puzzled as to why they let him go back in 2021.
After a season and a bit at West Auckland Town, he made the move to Hebburn and developed into the one the best young players in the North East non-league scene. A commanding central midfielder who can thread the eye of a needle with a pass, has a canny first touch, is quick and is capable of driving the ball forward – Thompson seems like a natural playmaker, who is exactly the sort of player we could do with in the centre of midfield.
If we don’t take a chance on him, I wouldn’t be too surprised if the likes of Spennymoor, Darlo or even South Shields go in for him.
Sam Hodgson – Striker
A well known and talked about player, Sam of course spent some time with Spartans in January/February 2023 – but his loan spell was hampered by an injury. A product of the South Shields academy, it’s safe to say at 22-years-old, Hodgson has developed into one of the best young forwards around.
The 2023/24 season saw him bag over 20 goals for The Highwaymen, who finished in 13th place in the NPL Premier Division. Put Hodgson in a team that will give him some better service, and he’s likely notching a lot more than that these days. A composed finisher with a good first touch, Sam has all the skill and confidence to shine at the next level.
With his future at South Shields up in the air still, there will no doubt be plenty of competition for his signature this summer.
Paddy Almond – Centre Back
Another well known player that we’ve covered before. With all due respect to the Northern League, Paddy is miles above that league. Of course his head injuries have likely prevented other teams ‘taking a risk on him’. It seems now though that Paddy has recovered from those injuries.
A tough tackling player who’s aggressive, good in the air and isn’t afraid to kick the shit out of people, Paddy is exactly the sort of player we need in defence. If we can get him under contract and he hits the ground running, Paddy could become and absolute rock at the back for us next season.