Departure leaves media team a man down

EVO-STIK League Blyth Spartans have started the hunt to appoint a new producer at the club’s hit TV channel.

The Premier Division club's media team announced on Friday that the offer of a paid post with broader links to local television at Conference National neighbours Gateshead had lured away BSACTV producer Stephen Hurst.

While disappointed to see him leave Croft Park after helping to launch the station which is watched by thousands of Spartans fans around the world, officials have wished him well and paid tribute to his work.

Spartans’ media manager Phil Castiaux said: "There’s no two ways about it, it’s a big blow to lose Stephen. He put a great amount of his own time into the position and the quality of his work has been consistently outstanding.

"We’ve been very fortunate to have benefited from his undoubted skills. We like to think that the media team at the club has a reputation for taking on bright new media and journalism talent and allowing them to flourish so, in those terms, there is some pleasure in seeing Stephen moving on."

He added: "We have some irons in the fire to replace him but if anyone is interested in taking over they can contact me on phil_castiaux@yahoo.co.uk."

Hurst is sad to go and hopes his replacement at the station can be found soon. He said: "I am extremely sad to leave the Spartans. I’ve loved every minute of it but the chance to join Gateshead was simply too good an opportunity to turn down. I will be running their YouTube channel and feeding coverage in to the North East TV stations on a regular basis. So it’s a foot in the door into broadcasting."

He added: "I’d like to thank everyone at Blyth Spartans. I’ve been made to feel so welcome and I hope a replacement for me can be found soon."