1 week Ago By [email protected] (Mark Carruthers)
Former players, a local MP and the Football Supporters Association have called for an end to the uncertainty surrounding the future of Blyth Spartans. Current owner Irfan Liaquat revealed he is in ‘advanced talks’ to bring an end to his short-lived reign after putting the Croft Park club up for sale earlier this week. In a lengthy statement released via the club’s website, the Tyneside businessman revealed ‘recent boycotts and protests’ were they key drivers behind his decision and claimed he had invested £63,000 into the club since formalising a takeover in April.
However, less than 24 hours after that deal was completed, Spartans were relegated for only the second time in their history following a 5-1 home defeat against Brackley Town on the final day of the National League North season and remain in danger of experiencing consecutive relegations. The appointments of former Newcastle United winger Nolberto Solano as the club’s new manager and former Leicester City striker Steve Howard as sporting director failed to inspire an upturn in fortunes. Solano departed Croft Park without a competitive win to his name at the end of August and, although new manager David Stockdale has guided his side to three wins in all competitions, Spartans still sit bottom of the Northern Premier League Premier Division table.
Matters took a drastic turn this week when a number of resignations behind the scenes meant Spartans failed to meet the safety criteria to host home games, meaning Saturday’s Croft Park clash with Gainsborough Trinity and Tuesday’s game with FC United of Manchester have been postponed. Takeover talks with a locally-based consortium are ongoing and one club legend has expressed his hope to see on and off-field matters at his old club improve in the not-too-distant future. Former Spartans midfielder Stephen Turnbull, who famously scored a free-kick in their 2-1 win in an FA Cup second round win at Hartlepool United a decade ago, told The Sunday Sun: “I can’t believe a club with so much history and previously so well ran has been allowed to get in to this situation.
“I know it’s the old cliche but Blyth Spartans is the centre of the community for so many people in Blyth. A lot of the fans work hard all week and go to Croft Park on a Saturday to be entertained and enjoy themselves and watch an honest, competitive team give their all representing their hometown. “I hope that old saying comes true, ‘the night is at its darkest before it gets light’.
I hope someone with a bit of integrity and respect for the area and the fans come in and take over the club and takes it where it belongs. I honestly believe Blyth Spartans is the biggest non-league club in the North East, the position of the club at the minute doesn’t reflect the huge potential it has.” Another former Croft Park favourite, JJ O’Donnell, expressed his sympathy for supporters of the club and wants to see a sale go through to allow Spartans to move on.
Speaking via his social media, the former Gateshead man said: “You shouldn’t buy a football club if you don’t understand what a football club is. It’s the supporters’ club, the heartbeat of the community. Players, staff and owners come and go, supporters will always be there.
Just do the honourable thing and pass the club on to someone who understands and cares." The situation was brought up in parliament in midweek and Labour MP Ian Lavery spoke up over the crisis and the importance of the club to the local community. The MP for Blyth and Ashington expanded on his comments with the Sunday Sun and expressed his full support for Spartans supporters as they look to haul their club back from the precipice.
He said: “People love the Non-League scene, particularly here in the North East and clubs are the beating heart of their communities and sometimes those communities need to step up. There is a big shoutout to the community in Blyth because the only way the club will succeed is if that community becomes part of the football club once again and ensures they come through these issues stronger than ever. “This is a very difficult situation.
Blyth Spartans is 125 years old this year and the club is the very heartbeat of the town itself and is supported by the local community. It’s devastating to see what has developed this season and with a good win and some good fortune we hope there will be new owners that are absolutely devoted to ensuring Blyth Spartans goes forward for another 125 years with the community at the heart of running the football club. They have my full support and I will do whatever I can to ensure Blyth Spartans continues.
” An emergency meeting held by supporters group ‘Blyth’s Green Army’, who organised the recent boycott of an FA Trophy tie with Stockton Town, took place on Wednesday night with a view to discussing what could lie ahead as uncertainty over their club’s long-term future remains. The Football Supporters Association were represented by CEO Kevin Miles and network manager Garreth Cummins and they have revealed they will ‘assist’ Spartans supporters in establishing a trust that can give them a voice in future. An FSA spokesperson said: "The FSA have been supporting our members at Blyth, the Green Army, who have been doing an excellent job in bringing the fanbase together and communicating on the issues at the club in recent months.
“We are assisting them with the establishment of a supporters trust, to bring a central democratic voice which all Spartans supporters can get behind. The club needs a more transparent and sustainable approach from its new ownership, and we will work with all stakeholders to ensure the best outcome possible for Spartans fans and the wider community, with the supporters playing a key role in that process.".
