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Morpeth Town are delighted to confirm Craig Lynch has accepted the offer of the manager’s job at Craik Park.

After taking the reins on a temporary basis following Stephen Turnbull’s resignation, in the wake of a 2-1 loss at home to Witton Albion, Lynch oversaw a seven-game unbeaten run-in league and cup and a run in the FA Cup that ended in a fourth round replay defeat against York City.

Speaking after accepting the role, Lynch said the opportunity was too good to turn down.

“When I got offered it, I couldn’t turn it down,” said Lynch.

“It is not the way I would have wanted to have had it. If you asked me six weeks ago, I would have been on the fence. Being assistant to Twinny (ex-boss Stephen Turnbull), it was never in my thought process to be the manager; maybe a couple of years down the line.

“I had Nick (Gray, former Town boss and current Academy director) and Twinny, two people who I get on really well with, and I was happy with the position I was in as coach.

“I would never step on anyone’s toes, that’s not my style. Then Twinny decided to resign and that was his choice. I was there to fill the gap, whether it was a game, two games or more.

“But you catch the bug once you get the chance. We had seven games unbeaten, which was great, but I wasn’t naïve to think it was always going to be like that.

“I’ll never shirk a challenge. I was manager of a team at 25 after a cruciate injury so I’ll never turn down a challenge.

“Challenges are there to be had and I’m happy to accept it.”

Club CEO Mark Hedley was encouraged by Lynch’s reign as caretaker boss, making him the standout candidate to continue.

“Both Ken (Beattie, club chairman) and I have been delighted by the work and dedication Craig has shown since he took the job on an interim basis,” he said.

“The results and the performances have been good, and we are keen for him to continue that and progress us up the league table.

“Craig brings a lot to the table and we are delighted he has agreed to continue and build on his very promising start as manager.”

Ambitious in his assessments, Lynch already has set targets in mind for this season.

“It’s a difficult one at the minute. I’d like to win the Senior Cup. I’ve won it as a player and a coach, it would be nice to win it as a manager and for the club, not just me,” he added.

“To say we want to win the league would be stupid so we need to finish as high as we can and get as many points as we can on the board.

“Could we win the FA Trophy? I think we can. Why not? Hornchurch did it last year as Dale Walker (goalkeeping coach) keeps reminding me.

“I’d like to add that Dale has stepped up remarkably from goalkeeping coach to being assistant too. He has done a fantastic job and I’m delighted to have him alongside me.”