Craig Lynch 'delighted' as Morpeth Town confirm triple signing

Morpeth Town boss Craig Lynch has admitted that he is “delighted” that the club have secured their first three signings of the summer.

After suffering relegation to the Northern Premier League East last season, the Highwaymen are aiming to make an immediate return to the Premier division in 2026/27, and have bolstered their ranks with the arrivals of striker Adam Lennox, winger Louis Burns, and midfielder Sam Hodgson.

While Lennox and Burns join Morpeth from Shildon and South Shields respectively, Hodgson returns to Craik Park after previously lifting the NPL East title with Town.

Reflecting on his side’s business, Lynch said: “I’m delighted to get the first three signings in. Recruitment has been ongoing from the first day the season finished – it’s been a difficult off-season with the player pool, clubs in the North East are all vying for them.

“We won’t over pay on what we think a player is worth to us. We’ve had some good chats with players and it wasn’t right, and we’ve had some chats with players which make you shake your head.

“We are still talking to players and it’s never stopped for six weeks! It’s a case of knowing teams are talking to the same lads but also knowing if one player goes elsewhere it may free another to come to us. We are waiting on a few this week and hopefully it’s good news by the end of it.”

On what his trio of fresh faces can offer Morpeth, Lynch continued: “Adam fits the profile and I’m looking forward to him scoring goals for us. Louis Burns is someone we’ve seen play for Ashington last season. James [Armstrong, Morpeth Assistant Manager] watched him numerous times and again he’s a player who wants to get in the box to score and create chances.

“We welcome back Sam Hodgson again for the third time. Sam has never let me or the club down and was one of the unsung players when we won this league. We were desperate for Sam to stay last season after a great end to the previous season but circumstances weren’t right and one positive of being relegated, if there is such a thing, is that the circumstances are right for him to come back. He’s the extra experience we lacked last season but also the quality on the pitch to keep everyone calm and progress us forward.”