Blyth Spartans confirm appointment of ex-Premier League and EFL keeper as new assistant manager

Blyth Spartans confirm the appointment of ex-Premier League and EFL keeper David Stockdale as their new assistant manager.

Fans got a surprise on Monday night with David Stockdale linking up their another ex-top flight player in Nobby Solano, who is the current Blyth Spartans manager.

The duo are preparing for life in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, having finished 21st in National League North last season, relegated with 50 points from 46 games played, and were 3 points from safety.

Spartans are delighted to announce the appointment of David Stockdale as the clubs new Assistant Manager https://t.co/60rbTGsUpP

Welcome to the club @stockogk1313

— Blyth Spartans (@Blyth_Spartans) August 5, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

Blyth Spartans can confirm that David Stockdale has joined the club as assistant manager.

Joining Spartans, Stockdale will join the backroom staff to be the second in command to current manager Nobby Solano.

Stockdale was most recently at York City in the Vanarama National League where he played four times for the club as a goalkeeper but also served as their Head of Recruitment until his release in April 2024, this was Stockdale’s first non-playing role in football.

He has a playing career that spanned more than 20 years and played in the Premier League down to the Northern Premier League Premier Division for the likes of Fulham, Brighton and Hove Albion, Birmingham City, Wycombe Wanderers, York City, Wakefield-Emery and many more.

On arriving as assistant manager, David said: “I’m excited to be here and start working with the squad.

“I’m thankful to Nobby and the board for the opportunity and the whole playing squad and staff will be working hard to improve from pre-season.”

After finding his number two in charge, Nobby Solano said: “I’m very pleased to have David join the squad and the staff here.

“He has a lot of experience playing in all levels and had experience as head of recruitment at York City, so we know we’ll be in a very good place with David as his experience will be a lot of value for everyone at the club.

“I’m very glad he has arrived here and I’ll be working with him tomorrow and we know we want to give it our best for this football, so I’m looking forward to start working with David this season.”

Stockdale began his footballing career with Huddersfield Town’s youth system, before later joining York City’s youth system in 2000 and made his first-team debut during the 2002–03 season.

After loan spells at Wakefield-Emley and Worksop Town, he moved to Darlington on a one year deal, with scouts from Birmingham and Newcastle watching him.

In 2008, Stockdale then signed for Premier League club Fulham, reported as £350,000 potentially rising to £600,000, and although he never became a regular starter, he had loan stints at Rotherham United, Leicester City, Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town, and Hull City.

Stockdale signed for Brighton & Hove Albion in 2014 and played a crucial role in their promotion to the Premier League during his third season with the club.

In 2017, he moved to Birmingham City, and during the 2018–19 season, he had short loan spells at Southend United, Wycombe Wanderers, and Coventry City.

Stockdale continued his career with Wycombe Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday, and a return to York City in June 2023, combining the role with head of recruitment before being released in April 2024.

He was called up to the England squad for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland, however he withdrew from the squad and was replaced by Robert Green.

Youth career
–2000 – Huddersfield Town
2000–2003 – York City

Senior career
2003–2006 – York City – 27 games
2005 → Wakefield-Emley (loan) – 7 games
2006 → Worksop Town (loan) – 6 games
2006–2008 – Darlington – 54 games
2008–2014 – Fulham – 52 games
2008–2009 → Rotherham United (loan) – 8 games
2009 → Leicester City (loan) – 8 games
2010 → Plymouth Argyle (loan) – 21 games
2011 → Ipswich Town (loan) – 18 games
2012-2013 → Hull City (loan) – 24 games
2014–2017 – Brighton & Hove Albion – 139 games
2017–2020 – Birmingham City – 40 games
2018 → Southend United (loan) – 3 games
2018 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) – 2 games
2019 → Coventry City (loan) – 2 games
2020 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) – 2 games
2020–2022 – Wycombe Wanderers – 69 games
2021 → Stevenage (loan) – 5 games
2022–2023 – Sheffield Wednesday – 27 games
2023–2024 – York City – 8 games

International career
2004 – England C – 1 game

Honours

Hull City
Football League Championship runner-up: 2012–13

Brighton & Hove Albion
EFL Championship runner-up: 2016–17

Wycombe Wanderers
EFL League One play-offs: 2020

Individual
EFL Team of the Season: 2016–17
PFA Team of the Year: 2016–17 Championship
EFL League One Golden Glove: 2021-22

This is how fans reacted as Blyth Spartans confirm appointment of the ex-Premier League and EFL keeper as their new assistant manager…

@welpmcdoof: Stocko is a great presence, his effect on Wednesday’s team was obvious even when he wasn’t starting. Congrats to you and him on the deal, I hope it works out

@sam_elsegood: Hope he takes on some of the signings he made for York.

@DarrenMcDivitt: Absolutely stinks of jobs for the (Steve Howard’s) boys

@RobertoMyers: David Stockdale. The man. the myth, the legend WAWAW

@J19721: Oooh , love this, all the best @stockogk1313 🦉 💙

@justinbcfc92: @stockogk1313 good luck mate you will smash it

@BertieB24: Good luck “Shirley” from all Chairboys supporters!

@Barmyluke23: Best of luck big man 💪🏻💪🏻

@ElJeremiah34: Stockooooo

@Jack_Mort10: Start Signing some players which can compete at this level would be nice

@MichaelBarrass1: Strange one strange one with a tight budget thought quality players more important

@brien_del: We have some players here we don’t need #ycfc

@JamieGrand84: Great appointment – go smash it @stockogk1313

@MILLEREJ93: Hope he’s not the main man who’s bringing all the players into the club 🫣

@StripMatt: Good luck wawaw

@Dmba1867: Top bloke!

@liamhendy17: Sign some decent players stockdale

@john_lavender: Best of luck Stocko 🧤

@Jonatha38633501: Good luck David.

@Owlsonline: All the best @stockogk1313

@TWWcast: So @stockogk1313 has traded in his cowboy hat for a Spartan helmet. Good luck mate 🤠

@Adamuddgren1: Budget spunked on Howard and his mates and not a single one of them has any sort of clue. Embarrassing football club

https://t.co/4nvLJYt8s4 pic.twitter.com/G4obfBvqhR

— Andrew Gibson (@AJGibson01) August 5, 2024