First Team Squad

The lowdown on the the 2024/25 Blyth Spartans squad. Please remember that this is not an official website, and the comments below do not represent those of Blyth Spartans AFC. A big thank you to Paul Scott and Bill Broadley for not complaining when we steal their photos.

Michael Hogan – Goalkeeper

A young shot stopper with a bright future in football, Michael is expected to challenge Harrison Bond for the number 1 shirt this season. 

Originally with the Newcastle United academy up until the age of 16, Hogan began his senior career with York City in their academy. He’d be released in 2023, and would quickly be picked up by Spartans after a successful trial. 

Part of the U19 side that got to NLFA Cup semi final, Hogan featured 5 times for Spartans his debut season, while also featuring for Newcastle Blue Star and Bedlington Terriers on a dual registration. 

Harrison Bond – Goalkeeper

Joining on loan for the season from Gateshead, Harrison is a young yet fairly experienced goalkeeper who’s seen as a player with a big future, owed to his reflex’s and kicking ability.

A graduate of the Sunderland academy, Harrison spent sometime on loan with Sunderland Ryhope and Shildon, being relegated with the latter from the Northern Premier League 1st Division East in 2022. He’d be released that summer and fall into the lap of Gateshead.

During his first season with Gateshead he featured in 2 National League games, while also taking part in 3 of their FA Trophy games – picking up a winners medal in the process.

Joe Oliver – Right Back/Centre Back

Now into his second season with Spartans, Joe is a very capable right back who’s pacey and strong in the tackle. He’s also comfortable operating as a wing back and a centre back.

Originally a Newcastle United academy prospect, Joe spent 4 years in the Toon’s youth set up, playing over 60 for both the U18’s and U21’s in the U18 Premier League, Premier League 2, FA Youth Cup, Northumberland Senior Cup and EFL Trophy.

He joined Spartans at the beginning 2023/4 season, and would challenge Rhys Evans for the starting RB role throughout the season. Joe also slotted into the CB role amongst a back 3, before injury scuppered the second half of his season. Oliver also briefly spent some time with Inverness CT on trial.

Ben Milburn – Centre Back

A summer signing from Consett in the NPL East, Ben is one of the best young defensive talents around in the local non-league scene.

Starting his career over at Park View academy and later featuring for Chester-Le-Street United before joining Spartans in 2021. He wouldn’t get much of a chance during his first spell, and would be ‘loaned out’ to the likes of North Shields, Whickham and Whitley Bay.

In 2022 he joined up with Consett, and over the last 2 seasons Ben has grown into a commanding centre back. Able to push just about anyone off the ball and someone who just loves a tackle, Ben will certainly be one to watch this season. He’s also featured for the England Universities national team.

Harrison Clark – Centre Back

Into his second season now as a Spartan, Harra will be looking to stake a place in the starting XI once again this season after making 31 appearances in the Vanarma National League North last season.

Another graduate of Chester-Le-Street United, Harra was picked up SPL outfit Livingston in 2021. Clark enjoyed loan spells with Arbroath, Kelty Hearts where he picked up a Scottish League Two winners medal, as well as Stirling Albion.

In January of 2023 he moved to Gateshead, featuring a few times for them before joining Marske United on loan, where he’d go onto to impress.

Ryan Donaldson – Centre Back/Centre Mid

A vastly experienced player who arrives from Morpeth this summer, it appears Ryan will be utilised as centre back this season, after spending the last few seasons at Morpeth in a holding or central midfield role.

After being released by Newcastle United, Ryan would join Gateshead before earning a move to Cambridge United – scoring 2 goals in the 2014 Skrill Premier player off final against the latter.

He’d stay at Cambridge until 2016, before leaving to join Plymouth for a single season. 4 years at Hartlepool United followed, as helped them to promotion from Vanarama National League in his final season. He’s join Morpeth in 2021, playing over 100 games for them while he managed their academy. Ryan is also a former England youth international.

Joseph Abrahart – Left Back

Another new arrival this summer, Abrahart spent time with the South Shields International Academy last before joining Spartans on trial during the summer of 2024, earning a contact after impressing Nobby Solano.

Originally from Farnham in Surrey, Joe. Over to Canada as a youngster and went on to play for college football for the MacEwan Griffins. After a brief spell in the USL League 2, Joe joined the South Shields academy, also featuring for North Shields on a dual reg last season.

Connor Pani – Left Back/Centre Mid

Originally a central midfielder, Pani returns to Blyth for a second loan spell until January from Gateshead. A graduate of the Gateshead youth set up, Pani has had loan spells at Morpeth and Workington as well as Spartans.

Now becoming more of a versatile player, Connor is someone the Gateshead hierarchy have high hopes for going forward.

Nicky Deverdics – Centre Mid

Spartans longest serving player and club captain, Dev’s goes into his 4th consecutive season at Spartans as the most experienced and naturally gifted player at the club.

A born playmaker and a confident penalty taker, Dev’s has played all over the midfield in his 2 spells with Spartans, this far having racked up over 180 appearances in green and white, scoring 22 goals in the process.

Originally a Newcastle United youngster, Dev’s was released in 2006 – going onto play locally at Gateshead and Bedlington Terriers before moving over to Gretna, taking part in their infamous 2007/08 SPL campaign. He’d spend 2 years with League Two side Barnet, before returning to the North East in 2010, linking up with Spartans. Featuring in an attacking role, he’d go onto establish himself as one of the club’s best players, earning a move to Bolungarvík in Iceland.

The next few years would see him bounce between Team Northumbria, Alfreton Town, Tvøroyrar Bóltfelag and Tadcaster Albion before washing up at Dover Athletic. Over the next seasons, he would go onto score 26 goals in all competitions form midfielder, establishing himself as one of the best players in the National League. Spells at Hartlepool, Wrexham and Gateshead would follow, before he returned to Blyth in the summer of 2021.

Michael Woods – Centre Mid

One of Nobby’s first new signings in the summer of 2024, Woods brings a wealth of experience and playmaking ability to the Spartans midfield.

On top of that, Michael has been a capable of goalscorer throughout his career, scoring over 50 goals throughout his career from the centre of midfield.

34-year-old Woods began his career at Leeds United, before being involved in a controversial transfer to Chelsea as a youngster. After a few years there he was released and quickly dropped down the leagues through Yeovil and Doncaster, before being picked up by Harrogate Town in the National League North.

He’d have 2 good seasons there and earn himself a move back to the Football League with Hartlepool United, where he’d go on to spend the next 5 seasons. He’d return to Harrogate Town before moving to Dover, York City and finally South Shields, where he’ spent the last 2 seasons.

Lucas Reed – Centre Mid

Another new summer addition, Lucas Reed is seen as one of the most exciting young players that the club have brought in this summer.

An all round central midfielder with a relentless engine, Lucas appears to have all the right attributes and the mentality to go far in football.

The 21-year old began his playing career with Middlesbrough, though he’d spend time with Birtley and Bishop Auckland on loan. After his release he’d briefly play for Crook Town before moving to Atletico San Jorge CDF.

He’d join Manchester 62 over in Gibraltar in early 2023, and spend the next 18 months there before returning to England to sign for Spartans. Lucas is also a former Scotland youth international.

Isiah Cornet – Centre Mid/Right Winger

Central midfielder/winger Cornet arrived in the summer of 2024 after having seemingly spent last season without a club. A versatile and skillful player, Cornet is definitely one to watch this season.

Born in France, Cornet came through at the same amateur club for which World Cup winner Paul Pogba played, before being brought to England by Middlesbrough in 2018 following successful trial. He’d be released in 2023 after a short spell with Spennymoor on loan.

Charlie Aitken – Centre Attacking Mid/Left Winger

18-year-old Charlie Aitken goes into his second season with Spartans, having impressed in a number of games early on during the previous season.

A young and raw talent, Charlie is quick and certainly knows how to pick a pass.

Began his career at Dunston UTS in 2022, before signing for Spartans last summer. He featured for the first team and academy side, and also played some games for Whickham on a dual reg.

Marcello Benedetti – Right Winger/Left Winger

A fresh arrival from Northern League side Whitley Bay, Chello will be keen to impress this season having risen through the Northern Alliance and Northern League, after his career was halted due to an ankle injury.

Having began his career at Sunderland, Chello moved to Sheffield Wednesday as a youngster before injury struck him. He’d return to football 2 years later, featuring in the Northern Alliance for the likes of Newcastle City and Seaton Delaval. He’d then earn a move to West Allotment Celtic, before moving to Whitley Bay halfway through the 2023/24 season.

Joao Gomes  – Centre Attacking Mid/Left Winger/Striker

Originally from Portugal, Gomes joins Spartans on loan for the 2024/25 following an injury hit season with The Mariners.

A player who’s known to be quick and creative, Gomes is versatile forward who is highly regarded at South Shields.

Originally joining their academy in 2019, he broke through into the first team in 2022, playing a part in South Shields’ 22/23 title winning season. Gomes’ 2023/24 season was hampered by a knee injury, which limited him to 10 appearances. Joao has also featured for Bolden CA.

Billy Gordon – Centre Attacking Mid/Striker

A versatile player broke into the first team last season, Billy can play just about anywhere in the middle of pitch and has endless amounts of stamina.

He joined Spartans as an 18-year old last summer after leaving York City, Billy featured on a few occasions for the U19 side before impressing Graham Fenton enough to get a chance in the first team.

Max Storey – Left Winger/Striker

An exciting young player, Max is a tricky winger who predominantly plays on the left flank, using his pace and skill to cut in on his right foot to create and score goals.

Storey joins Blyth on loan for the season from Hartlepool, whose U18 team he starred for last season before making his Pools debut late in the season. Max also spent some time with Redcar Athletic on loan in the Northern League.

Dan Savage – Right Winger/Centre Attacking Mid/Striker

An 18-year old who joins on loan from National League North side South Shields, Dan is one of the Mariners highest rated youngsters.

A versatile young forward who’s lightening quick, Savage is said to have turned down multiple loan offers from other teams in order to sign for Blyth.

Prior to breaking through into South Shields’ first team last year, Dan had spells with Hebburn Town and Bolden CA before joining North Shields on loan last season, scoring 3 goals in 8 games for them.

Mitch Curry – Right Winger/Forward

Joining on a short term contract until January 2025, Mitch is a very exciting player that arrives with a good amount of experience. A superb dribbler who’ll be able to take on just about any full back in this league, Mitch will be another one to watch this season.

Mitch is a local lad who started at Middlesbrough and spent some time on loan at Harrogate in 2017/18 and Inverness in 2019, before having a bit of a breakout spell at Gateshead on loan before being released in 2020. He’d join Sunderland for a season, before moving to the USA and joining Fort Lauderdale CF, which was later rebranded as Inter Miami’s second team.

He’d leave Miami after a few years for Hartford Athletic, but quickly returned to the North East to join Darlington in the summer of 2023.

The below players are said to registered with the club on non-contract terms, but will likely feature for other clubs (specified below) throughout the season.

David Stockdale – Interim Manager

Featuring for 18 clubs throughout England’s top 7 flights throughout his career, Stockdale made over 500 senior appearances during his 22 year playing career.

His move into the ‘coaching world’ saw him take on the role of Head of Recruitment as well as a player for York City during the 2023/24 season. After a disappointing season, Stockdale was dismissed from his role at York.

Stockdale also owns 51% of Hellenic League Division One side Droitwich Spa, having been involved with the club since 2019.

Tom Read – Goalkeeper Coach

Linking up with Spartans in the summer of 2024, Birmingham born Tom began as a goalkeeping coach at Stoke City women’s academy, before joining AFC Telford United in the National League North in the 2021/22 season.

Tom was also the head goalkeeping coach at West Brom’s women’s team, before joining the i2i International Soccer Academy last summer.

Darren Maguire – Kitman

Going into his 3rd season as the club’s Kitman, Darren has also been involved with the Spartans Juniors for a number of years. Leading the club’s walking football programme and other community activities, Darren also assists the Tyne Met Academy coaches, while also managing the Juniors U23 side that play in the
North East Combination League Sunday Division Two.

Steve Howard – Director of Football

After racking up nearly 800 career appearances and scoring 200 goals, Howard retired from professional football in 2013, having played throughout England’s top 4 divisions.

He took a step a back from football following his retirement, stepping into the property game while also doing some media and commentary work. After just over 10 years out of football, this will be Howard’s first role in football management/coaching.

Oscar Peverley – Physio

Oscar goes into his second season as the club’s lead physio, having previously worked for Morpeth Town, Park View Academy and Hartlepool United.

Gary Neasham – Head of Medical Services

Across his 2 spells with Spartans, Neash has experienced just about all the highs and lows Spartans has to offer. First joining the club 20 years ago in 2004, Neash would quickly become a popular figure at Croft Park.

He departed in 2010 he moved to Gateshead who were had just turned to professional, to run their new medical set up. After a few years there he joined up with Ashington, before returning to Spartans in 2019 as the club’s physio. In 2023 his role at the club changed, moving from physio role to become the clubs Head of Medical Services. Neash has also helped with recruitment in recent years.