Maguire congratulated on call-up

The hot-shot – pictured being crowned EVO-STIK NPL 2017 Player of the Year by Dean Saunders in April before being named Port of Blyth Player of the Season and Blyth Spartans Supporters’ Club Player of the Season - was called up at the weekend to play for his country against a Panjab FA XI at Solihull at the end of the month on Sunday 28 May.

Maguire could also come up against a former Spartan in Arjun Purewal after the 26-year-old Bishop Auckland defender was named in the Panjab FA’s squad for the fixture.

After catching the attention of England C manager Paul Fairclough with his 30 plus goals on the way to the title over the course of the 2016-17 season, the 24-year-old is also heading to the Channel Islands a few days later with an FA Representative side to take on a Jersey FA XI on Tuesday 30 May.

Maguire was the only player named by Fairclough from outside the National League in his squad and a spokesman for the champions said: “It’s great to see ‘Nipa’ cap a great season with a call up to the England C team. He has been instrumental in helping us win the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League title and the Northumberland Senior Cup this year so everyone at the club is delighted that he has been rewarded for his outstanding efforts in this way.”

England C boss Fairclough is using the fixture to prepare for an International Challenge Trophy final against Slovakia next season after it was postponed with their opponents currently preparing to take part in this summer's U21 European Championships.

Images courtesy of Graham Lindley & blythspartans.com

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