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Pic: Blyth Spartans (Bill Broadley)

Morpeth Town AFC are delighted to welcome Tom Wade to the club as Director of Football.

Wade, who has extensive experience in non-league football having previously managed Blyth Spartans, will take a place on the board and help guide the football activities at Craik Park in what is set to be a hugely exciting short-term future.

This newly created position will help shape the development of the club, including creating, maintaining and evolving pathways from junior sides to the first team as well as liaising with the board in relation to first team progress.

With exciting off-field developments in the pipeline, the addition of Wade is the latest step in the evolution of the club.

Chairman Ken Beattie said; “We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Tom Wade to the Director of Football role. He brings with him a wealth of experience in non-league in and around the level we currently sit.

“Having raced through the leagues after promotion from the Northern League, it has been a steep learning curve for everyone concerned and one they have taken to brilliantly.

“We have done phenomenally well as a club to reach this level – the highest in our history – and this is testament to everyone’s input over the years. The addition of Tom will only help continue this momentum as his experience and knowledge of this level of football will undoubtedly prove invaluable.”

Wade already has a few connections at the club, including manager Stephen Turnbull who he managed during the pair’s time at Croft Park.

He said; “I am really looking forward to it. It is a great club with a lot of ambition. Ken (Beattie, Chairman) and Mark (Hedley, Chief Executive) are good friends; it will be great working with them to try to push the club on.

“I have been involved in management at this level, Northern League and Northern Conference for 20 plus years; hopefully I can pass on some of my experience to help Stephen but only if he needs it.

“I will be looking at players and doing some match reports for him but it is essentially a supporting role. I know Stephen really well and I am excited to be working with him.

“On and off the field the club has come a long way over the last five years and the future is very bright.”