The Amble effect is in full swing around these parts after South Shields striker Luke James agreed to a season-long loan move to Morpeth Town.
The Highwaymen, building an impressive squad heading into the new Pitching In NPL Premier Division campaign, have added quickly, with deals for Nathan Buddle, Jordan Hickey, Rhys Evans, and goalkeeper Dan Langley.
Looking for more depth in the forward line, Town boss Craig Lynch moved to secure James, with Morpeth skipper Jeff Henderson (a fellow Amble-based player) a big draw for the forward.
“Jeff pesters me anyway,” joked James, who ended the previous campaign at Blyth Spartans where he impressed as the Croft Park outfit were relegated.
“But I had a few conversations with him. I see him at least once a week as it is. Nathan (Buddle) signed and got wind that I might be signing and he was on the phone.
“Jordan Hickey mentioned what a club it is. When you’ve got people like that – good players and good lads – it is very hard to turn down.
“I think Morpeth has always been a good club and a local club to me. You’ve got to look at the surface. I look to play good, attractive football. If you’re playing on this surface every week it makes a big difference.
“I’ve mentioned some players I know really well and I know they’re good players, I know the players they’ve signed from Blyth and I know the squad the gaffer is building.
“You want to be part of a good squad and one that is going in the right direction.”
After a breakout season at Hartlepool United, James has been at other Football League clubs Peterborough United, Forest Green, Bradford City, and Bristol Rovers before stints at York City and South Shields.
But his focus now turns to the Highwaymen and delivering on the promise of the current squad.
“We need to build on last season,” he added.
“I watched quite a few games here last season and there are a lot of good footballers here. It is about taking that momentum forward. If you’ve got Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and you win them all you rise up the table.
“Get that momentum, keep that squad together and fit and I think we can have a right good go.”
Lynch was delighted to secure the deal for James, as he shapes his squad ahead of pre-season training which starts on June 27th.
“We are delighted to get Luke in with us,” he said.
“Again, many thanks to South Shields for their part in getting the deal done. Luke, just like Nathan, is someone I got to know when they were both coming through at Hartlepool and followed his career ever since.
“He’s had a great career from his early teens to now. I feel like this is a place he can call home; it’s his local team, a lot of good friends in the group and knowing me and James (Armstrong, assistant manager) well will help him settle in with no problems.
“I feel part-time football will suit him as well. He finished the season strongly at Blyth and hopefully he can stay injury free – I’m sure he will have a massive part to play for us.”
