Hebburn Town boss tips Michael Nelson to succeed at Blyth Spartans

However, the Hornets boss stressed that the former Hartlepool United defender will need the full backing of the Spartans board if he is to succeed at Croft Park.

Nelson will take charge of his first game as permanent Spartans manager when his side kick off their preparations for the new season with a visit to face Bolam’s Hebburn on Tuesday night.

The 40-year-old will take the opportunity to assess a number of trialists at the Green Energy Sports Ground as he looks to piece together a squad capable of extending Spartans stay in the National League North to a fifth season.

New signings Kieran Charlton, Matthew Elsdon and Callum Guy could also make their first appearances for the club on South Tyneside – but there is still work to do for Nelson before his squad is ready for the new campaign.

Ahead of the game, Bolam hailed Nelson as “a winner” and tipped the new Spartans boss to succeed at Croft Park if he is given the tools to do so.

He said: “I know Michael is excited to try and get it right there and I think he will, if he is backed by the people at the club.

“I think staying in the division would be success for them this season because it’s a very tough league.

“But I know Michael as a man, he is a winner, he is passionate about his football and he is a student of the game.

“He’s still on a recruitment drive and we have had a few conversations about players at a few levels of the game.

“He will want to progress with the club, there’s no doubt about that, and he can do that if he is given the chance to bring in the type of player that he wants.”

Meanwhile, a number of MPs have put their name to a letter calling on the government to allow supporters back to grounds across the three National League divisions.

Blyth Valley MP Ian Levy is amongst a list of 39 signatories on a letter sent to Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston to ask the government to allow a limited number of supporters to attend games in step one and two of the non-league system.

Clubs below step two were allowed to admit a limited number of spectators into their friendly fixtures over the weekend and that number will double from next Saturday.