Northern League title winner is appointed Bay manager

Whitley Bay have appointed Nathan Haslam as their new manager. The former Marske United Head Coach has proven management skills and was the unanimous choice of the Club’s Directors from a strong field of 28 applicants.

Haslam, who is aged 38, comes originally from Teesside but has lived in Whitley Bay for the last nine years.

He was Head Coach at Marske United when they won the Northern League championship in 2013/14 and as Bay fans will remember, Marske went on to complete the League and Cup double by beating Whitley after extra time in the League Cup Final at St James’ Park. In the same season, Marske reached the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, a feat Haslam achieved three years later when Head Coach at Bishop Auckland. In his time at Heritage Park, he helped lift a struggling Two Blues side to a highly respectable 6th position during the 2016/17  season. More recently he has undertaken an advisory role at Willington FC.

Bay chairman Paul McIlduff, in welcoming Haslam to Hillheads said he believed the new manager had the experience and qualities to take Whitley forward and bring success to the club. Haslam was clearly delighted to be appointed Bay manager and looked forward to meeting the players and preparing them for what he described as a tough game at Shildon on Saturday. “With only a few games remaining this season, the current squad of players will have the chance to prove themselves. Fans can expect to see some changes in the way we play, more solid in defence while aiming to play attractive, possession based football and scoring more goals.  I’m really optimistic for the future!”