I'll Do It My Way!

I'll Do It My Way!

- Mark Carruthers

BLYTH Spartans manager Alun Armstrong cut a relaxed figure as he invited me into his new office at Croft Park.

“You’ve done well to get an office,” I jokingly suggest.

“One of a few changes I needed to make,” he replies, before adding, “I wanted things done the way I am used to and the way I want.”

That philosophy has worked well on and off the pitch in the 14 months since Armstrong replaced Tom Wade at the Croft Park helm.

In that time Spartans have secured an Evo-Stik Northern Premier League title win, a Northumberland Senior Cup triumph and an unexpected National League North play-off push.

Spartans have progressed with style and substance in their play, with their slick passing game winning many admirers, just like Armstrong did in a distinguised playing career that saw him play in the Premier League with both Middlesbrough and Ipswich (right).