Double move opens account

Blyth Spartans manager Tom Wade made his first transfer moves of the summer over the weekend with the arrival of North Shield's attacking duo Robbie Nolan and Dean Holmes at the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club's Croft Park.

As part of the deal with the Northern League's Shields, Blyth are heading to the Daren Persson Stadium for a pre-season friendly on Saturday July 6 when they'll face a side managed by former Spartan Graham Fenton.

Nolan, 23, signed for the Robins at the start of last season from Washington and the centre forward went on to score regularly for Fenton's side. Holmes can play on either wing or up front and was also a regular scorer.

Wade was delighted with his first piece of business of the close season and said: "I'm really pleased to get the two lads in. They've got exactly the right attitudes that I am looking for. Both of them are fit lads, have technical ability with good pace, have 100 per cent work ethics and are really ambitious and keen to play at the highest level that they can.

"I've known both of them for a while as they were in my U18s team. I have watched them progress and develop over the last few seasons and feel that both are at the stages of their careers where they need to move to a club like Blyth in order to progress."

Wade added: "Rob is an excellent goalscorer, he reminds me of a young Paul Brayson in the way that he plays and, as everyone at Croft Park knows, that is high praise indeed!"