Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper David Stockdale has taken up his first managerial role after being appointed the first-team manager of Blyth Spartans.

The 38-year-old recently took charge of the Spartans on a caretaker basis following the departure of Nolberto Solano, but now takes over as permanent boss.

 

 

Stockdale was released by York City in April, having combining playing duties with a role as the club’s head of recruitment. 

He moved to Croft Park this summer to become the assistant manager to Solano, who was sacked just three months after his appointment following a winless start to the season.

The former keeper has since overseen five matches so far, winning two of them.

The Northumberland-based side play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of English football and currently sit second bottom of the table. 

 

 

Speaking on his appointment, he said: “I’m absolutely delighted!

"A lot of hard work has gone into this for the last 10 to 14 days, to like say the interview I did about bringing one team together and when I say one team it’s the whole club as we want the fans to come along with us."

Stockdale spent the first half of the 2011/12 season with the Blues on loan from Fulham, making 11 appearances during his spell at Portman Road.