Rhys Evans ready to take senior role in Blyth Spartans dressing room

Despite his side’s on-field struggles, the former Newcastle Benfield full-back adjusted well to life in the highly competitive National League North.

Evans agreed to a second year at Croft Park earlier this summer and will take his place in a youthful-looking Spartans squad when the all-clear is given for non-league football to return to action.

The likes of club legend Robbie Dale and former Spennymoor Town defender Kris Thackray will be expected to use their experience to guide Michael Nelson’s side through another testing season.

And 23-year-old Evans has revealed that he will give his support to the younger members of the squad to help them adjust to life at the club.

He said: “The gaffer has spoken about having a lot of younger lads in the squad this year so I will hopefully play a part in helping them settle in.

“I need to be a bit of a leader in the squad and that’s a new experience because I am only 23 myself.

“I probably learnt how to use your experience from Robbie Dale, he’s a legend at the club, he’s played nearly 700 games and he is someone we look up to.

“Kris Thackray is there too, he’s been there and done it and they both have the experience that we will need.

“I will be ready to do the same thing, to add my voice in training and on matchday, and help the squad throughout the season.”

Evans reflected on his first season at Spartans and insisted that he will be a better player after coming through a tough campaign.

Only club captain Dale played as many competitive games as the defender throughout a season largely spent in the National League North relegation places.

Evans insisted that he has learnt valuable lessons over the last year and is ready to put them to good use during the upcoming season.

“I have learnt a lot since I joined the club and I think you even more about yourself when things aren’t going well.

“Obviously, last season was tough for us all, but I stayed in the team when they were quite a lot of changes.

“I learnt about the league and the type of players in this league, particularly the different types of winger that I came up against.

“I wasn’t used to this level but now I feel like a better player for having that experience behind me and it’s now about taking that forward into the new season.”