Blyth bolster midfield options

The 28-year-old midfielder spent two seasons with Northern League outfit Whickham before departing for Consett AFC in September, where he made three appearances.

After this brief spell, he joined Heaton Stannington, featuring 14 times and scoring on one occasion - in their recent 3-1 victory over Blyth Spartans in the Northumberland Senior Cup quarter-finals.

On the arrival of Richardson, Spartans manager Michael Connor said: "He's another signing coming from the league below.

"He has bags of energy, wins headers all over the park, he wears his heart in his sleeve and wins big tackles. 

“He is probably somebody that we need, with a bit of legs in there.”

Richardson added: “I'm really looking forward to getting going at Blyth. It's a really big club, and hopefully I can play a part in getting the club back up the league.”

He will go into contention to make his debut in their next fixture away at Northern Premier League leaders Macclesfield on Saturday.