Early exit for for number two

The former Sunderland and Swansea midfielder left Croft Park on Friday less than two months after his appointment after telling Spartans officials he was no longer able to commit to the upcoming 2016-17 EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division season.

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 by Wade in June.

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, who has managed Exeter, Newport County and Torquay, had told Spartans fans that he couldn't wait to get started after his previous spell on the touchline in the North East.

* Blyth have also lost the services of Wilson Kneeshaw after the talented attacker signed a two-year-deal with American club Sacramento FC.

Kneeshaw joined Blyth from Darlington 1883 last season and scored nine goals, including all five in a rout of relegation-bound Ramsbottom United.

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