Newton Aycliffe’s new boss Peter Dixon today set about his job at the Aux Audio Stadium by bringing four new players into the club.
West Auckland players Paul Garthwaite, Stuart Banks and Ashley Coffey have all joined the Newtonians after being released by West, while Blyth Spartans midfielder Ryan Cummins has joined the club on loan.
All four players go straight into Dixon’s squad for Aycliffe’s game at home to Penrith on Wednesday night (7.45pm), with admission to the game slashed to £4 adults and £2 concessions.
Banks spent five years at West Auckland, playing more than 150 games, regularly reaching double-figures in the goalscoring stakes.
The 28-year-old – who can operate on both flanks – has previously played for Billingham Town, Sunderland Nissan, Bedlington Terriers and Blyth Spartans.
Garthwaite, 22, is another lively forward runner, and won Player of the Year at the Seagrave Stadium in his debut season back in 2010-11. Garthwaite played over 100 times for West, scoring 15 goals.
Both players were in the matchday squad for West as the suffered Wembley defeat in May. Banks was a late sub for Shaun Vipond while Garthwaite was unused.
Another former West man, Coffey became the third familiar face to link up with Dixon, again following his release from the club last week.
The 21-year-old midfielder spent time as a youth player with Bradford City, before joining West Auckland in February 2013. The talented youngster played 14 times last season, netting three times.
Cummings, the former Bishop Auckland playmaker, has signed from Evostik League side Blyth Spartans.
The 18-year-ol made 20 appearances for Spartans last season, scoring once, having followed former Bishops manager Colin Myers to Croft Park in 2013.
PETER DIXON APPOINTED AYCLIFFE BOSS
