Highly-rated striker Scott Bell will be playing Northern League football next season at Bedlington.

The former Blyth Spartans forward, who played briefly under ex-Workington boss Tommy Cassidy at Newcastle Blue Star last season is a major coup for the club.

Bell (pictured alongside) was a key member of the successful Blyth squad which won the treble in their final season in the Unibond and achieved a sixth place finish in their first Conference North campaign.

Terriers manager Tony Lowery was delighted to have

haps makes a few people sit up and take notice of us again after the troubles of recent years," he said.

"There's no quick fix to get us near where we were, but signing players of this standard demonstrate that we are heading in the right direction.

"The core of the squad is taking shape nicely now, and with two or three additions I hope we can start putting the Terriers back on the map."

Bell, who had gone on loan to Blue Star last season before eventually leaving before the end of the campaign, hadn't envisaged a return to Northern League football prior to the Terriers making contact with him.

"Work and other commitments meant I drifted out of Saturday football and into managing my Sunday League team with a friend, and I've found it hugely enjoyable," he said.

"However, as a Cramlington lad I've always kept track on the fortunes of the local senior clubs, Bedlington being one of them.

"Everyone knows the success they had over a long period of time under Tony and Keith (Perry), and once Tony made the call, it didn't take long for me to want to be involved, especially as playing in the Northern League will be more manageable with my commitments."

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