Ashington sign Ryan Bell from Consett as Williams moves on

The move sees the 29-year-old utility player end a lengthy spell with Ebac Northern League first division rivals Consett and return to his home town club where he played for a season several years ago.

Bell said: “After coming out of the professional game at Sunderland, I spent a year with Ashington.

“I loved it, and the Northern League in general, playing at the old Portland Park ground before I joined Newcastle Blue Star.

“After they folded I moved to Ryton for two to three years and for the past five seasons I’ve been with Consett.

“I’m delighted to come back, and looking at the bigger picture, I would like to end my career here - back at home where I belong.

“At the moment I am sidelined with a stomach problem, so I have got no idea how long it will be before I pull on black and white shirt again.”

Boss Steve Harmison said: “Ryan is a great character as well as a good player.

“He is an Ashington lad and is someone who we’ve wanted to sign for a while, and we hope he can hit the ground running.”

Meanwhile Gareth ‘Cheeks’ Williams has moved to Newcastle Benfield.

“Gareth wanted to play and help the lads at Benfield, which is good for him,” added Harmison.

“We offered him another role with us but he thought he still had a bit more playing time in him.

“He is someone whose experience is undoubted and on top of that he is an excellent lad.”