Cornforth returns to touchline

The 48-year-old, pictured attending the opening of Swansea City's hall of fame in 2013 after making 149 appearances for the Premier League club in the early 1990s, was named as the successor to Lee Picton as manager Tom Wade's assistant on Monday.

As well as the Black Cats and the Swans, Cornforth notched up 322 starts in the Football League for the likes of Birmingham City, Cardiff, Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City, Lincoln City, Scunthorpe United, Shrewsbury Town, Peterborough United and Wycombe Wanderers, winning two Wales caps along the way before a cruciate ligament injury ended his playing career in 2001.

Cornforth has since managed Exeter, Newport County and Torquay and told fans of last season's EVO-STIK NPL top flight runners-up that he couldn't wait to get started after his previous spell on the touchline in the North East.

Whitley Bay-born and Sunderland-based Cornforth said: “I’m delighted to be back at Blyth. I needed to get back into football after a break following working as a coach in Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

"Once Tom asked me for a chat it was only ever going to be with Blyth for me. I’ve kept in touch with Tom and I know we’re on the same wave length as each over. He’s done an unbelievable job over the past few years and I can’t wait to help out.

“I know a lot of the players and they are great lads. I know we’ve lost a couple of players but having Stephen Turnbull back is huge. He’s my type of player. I too was a play-making central midfielder.

"Off the pitch there’s so much happening like the new 3G surface, and the media team who do such a lot seem be being regularly poached by other clubs – maybe they should be on contracts! In addition, I understand there will be news soon on the commercial side and the pitch is looking superb."

He added: “Blyth is a proper football club, steeped in history and I’ve always received a tremendous welcome whenever I’ve been back. It’s all looking good and I’m hoping that we can go one better this season than we achieved last time round.”

Wade told the club's fans he was delighted to be reunited with Cornforth for the upcoming 2016-17 season. He added: “It’s brilliant news having John back with us. He’s got such a wealth of experience and will add so much to the club.”

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