Blyth Spartans set to host Better Together Cup with special guest Clarke Carlisle

Leading data centre business QTS will bring five football clubs together at Blyth Spartans’ Croft Park this weekend for the inaugural Better Together Cup.

The community tournament will take place between July 17th and 19th, and represents the latest milestone in QTS's “Better Together” campaign - a community-focused initiative launched in 2025 to serve the communities where the company lives and works. The tournament will be contested by Blyth Spartans, Ashington, AFC Newbiggin, Dunstable FC, and Horley Town.

The weekend will open on Friday with a launch conference at the Blyth Spartans clubhouse, with former footballer and campaigner Clarke Carlisle set to lead a day centred on how football can bring people together and provide a forum to talk about their mental health. Hosts Spartans will be joined by representatives from Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, the Football Supporters’ Association, the Northumberland Football Association, Dunstable FC, and QTS.

Two full days of football follow on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's also programme features a half-time cheque presentation to Tyneside and Northumberland Mind on the pitch.

Ahead of the event, Carlisle said: "Football has a unique power to bring people together, and it can be one of the best places to start a conversation about mental health. Events like the Better Together Cup show what is possible when clubs, fans and businesses get behind that cause. I am proud to be part of the weekend and to support the work QTS and Tyneside and Northumberland Mind are doing across the North East."

Kevin Miles, Chair of Blyth Spartans, added: "We are proud to be hosting the inaugural Better Together Cup here at Croft Park. This is exactly the kind of occasion that shows what our club means to the local community, bringing families and supporters together for a great weekend of football and a cause that matters.”

The Cup comes as QTS progresses plans for one of the UK's largest data centre campuses at Cambois, following approval from Northumberland County Council. The development is expected to support 1,200 long-term construction jobs and 400 operational jobs, with QTS also planning to invest in local skills, training and apprenticeships.