FA Cup magic rubs off on Blyth youngster Jarrett Rivers

Monday 12 Jan 2015
Spartans winger Jarrett Rivers to go on trial at Oldham
Blyth Spartans winger Jarrett Rivers has seen his FA Cup exploits recognised after being offered a chance to win a professional contract in the Football League with Oldham Athletic.

The former Middlesbrough academy player came to the attention of a host of clubs following his performances in helping the north-east club reach the Third Round, where they were defeated 3-2 by Birmingham City.

But he captured the headlines last month when he scored a last minute winner as the Spartans upset the odds to defeat Hartlepool United 2-1 in the Second Round, and has now been offered a week’s trial with the League One club.

"It’s a great opportunity for Jarrett to go down there and make an impression," Spartans manager Tom Wade told BlythSpartansAFC.co.uk.

"He has been great for us this season and it shows how far we have come that the young lads are getting noticed. They’re a good group of lads and they deserve the recognition they are getting."

The 21-year-old, who we discovered works in his parents' newsagents through our ‘Meet The Spartans’ feature earlier this month, will spend this week in Lancashire training with the Boundary Park club.

Wade added: "There are a lot of other clubs interested in signing him and in all honesty, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.

"We wish him all the best down there and hope it works out for him. We know he will be looked after because they were great with Dan Maguire when they took him on trial last season."

Rivers joined Blyth from Northern League side Whitley Bay last summer. He struck two goals in Saturday’s win over Belper Town, taking his tally to nine goals in 29 appearances so far this season.

By Gary Stonehouse Staff Writer