Terriers Busy In Transfer Market!

[Neil]

Bedlington Terriers supporters have plenty to cheer about at the moment - without a ball being kicked. Having finished last season off in promising fashion, continuing their gradual year on year improvement by finishing in 14th position, Terriers co-managers Lowery and Perry have moved quickly to add to the strength and quality of their squad.

Having already retained the nucleus of last season’s team, who battled through an injury crisis like not seen before at Welfare Park, experienced players have been signing up on a regular basis with the aim of restoring Bedlington Terriers to a position of being able once again to challenge for honours.

Pride of place was the signing this week of Steven Bowey, a move which truly is a coup for the Northumbrian club, and one which has made the whole of North East non-league football sit up and take note.

A vastly experienced midfielder, Steven is known for his tenacious displays. Having started at Forest Green Rovers, he moved on to Bristol Rovers Steve before he came north to Gateshead, where playing for the Tynesiders 188 times.

After moving north of the border to ply his trade with Dumfries based Queen of the South (making 137 appearances and scoring 16 goals), he returned back to England and York City where he scored 7 goals in 42 matches. On leaving York he returned once more to Gateshead where another 9 goals were added to his total in 37 appearances.

Affectionately known as ‘Bowser’, last season he was player/manager at Newcastle Blue Star, leading them to victory in the play off final. Following the end of season release of all the Blue Star players and staff, Bedlington have succeeded in signing a man who is generally regarded as a great talent.

This signing is just one of many impressive additions to the squad. Other new players who have joined the Bedlington bandwagon for the coming campaign include:

Peter Snowden - a central defender and former skipper of the Blyth Spartans team which won the Unibond Premier Division two seasons ago.

Anthony Lund - at only 22, Anthony is already an experienced Northern League player, numbering Durham City and Sunderland Nissan amongst his former clubs. He is a skilful left sided wing back/midfielder who likes to get forward and is an excellent crosser of the ball.

Jamie Clarke - needs no introduction to Terriers fans as he has been around the Northern League now for many seasons and has proved himself a prolific goal scorer whichever club he has played at. He finished last season on 30 league goals and was Spennymoor Town were very disappointed to lose a player they consider a ‘legend’.

Jamie Poole -a left footed player who is most at home on that side of the pitch. An ex Blyth Spartans player he left them in January to join Seaham.

Lee Yorke - a midfielder who was with West Allotment Celtic before joining Team Northumbria last season. Another excellent addition to the squad.

As well as some new faces, the Terriers also see the welcome return by some familiar faces from more prosperous seasons:

Anthony Chapman - now 29, ‘Chappy’ now begins his 3rd stint in a Bedlington shirt

Suffered a broken leg when last playing for Bedlington Terriers, but is now back to the best which saw him help Bedlington to league and cup successes. He is an excellent passer of the ball and has stamina to burn, with a never say die attitude who can win games with his passing ability.

Steven Shaw - no stranger to the Terriers Steven had a season with us as a 17 year old before leaving to join Ryton. An attacking midfielder, Steven has for the last three seasons picked up the Player of the Year award at Ryton. Steven is a big lad whose extra height will provide even more ammunition at set pieces.

Christian Graham - confirmed as having signed on Sunday, Christian spent the early part of his career at Bedlington as part of the successful squad which won so many trophies in the first half of the decade, he finished last season at local rivals Ashington.

He also includes Whitley Bay and Blyth Spartans amongst his former clubs, and is another impressive addition to an ever-strengthening squad being assembled by Terriers co-managers Lowery and Perry. There is no doubt that the Terriers have ambitions to return to challenging for honours this coming season, after the well documented difficulties in recent years

The management team are now thought to have completed their transfer activity for the summer, apart from securing the services of a second goalkeeper to provide back up to incumbent Gareth Powell. However, fans are already very excited over the season ahead and looking forward to seeing the blend of new and old players. There is definitely a ‘buzz’ around town!

An off the field signing now confirmed, is the welcome addition of Perry Briggs to the backroom staff. Briggs first appeared at Welfare Park in the closing stages of the last campaign and it is now confirmed that he will be assisting Dean Gibb in the coaching and fitness roles at the Club. An effective foil as number 2 to Bobby Scaife for many years at Dunston Federation as they won trophy after trophy, Briggs proved himself as a manager in his own right when he stepped up into the top job before deciding he wanted a break from the frontline. Bedlington Terriers are delighted to have secured a signing which could prove to be as influential as any made on the pitch.