Blyth Spartans become latest community-owned club

Blyth Spartans have announced that the club is to move into community ownership with immediate effect, ending a period of uncertainty under previous owner Irfan Liaquat which led to home games being postponed following the resignation of key club officials and volunteers. 

A not-for-profit Community Interest Company, Blyth Spartans 2024 CIC, has been established by a group of local businessmen and long-term club sponsors alongside a representative from the club’s supporters group the Green Army.

Martin Trinder, a club sponsor, one of the local businessmen involved in the CIC, and interim club chairman, said:

“The famous Blyth Spartans club is a hugely important asset for its fans and the whole community, and as supporters ourselves we want to secure its future as part of the community.

“This is a case of existing sponsors with a proven track record of commitment to the club stepping up and taking responsibility for building its future.”

Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters’ Association, added:

“Community ownership of a football club through a CIC, with the involvement of fans and the local community, is the best guarantee of a permanent future for a club.

“Even club owners, like players and managers, come and go, but the fans and the community are with a club for life. Having grown up in Blyth myself, I know just how important the Spartans are, and I am delighted a new era of community and supporter ownership of the club has begun.”

• If you’re interested in community-ownership at your club, get in touch.