By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

New assistant manager Liam McIvor says he cannot wait for Ashington’s NPL East Division home clash against Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday (October 12).

McIvor has been brought in by Nick Gray to be his number two with the pair previously working together at Ebac Northern League first division side Whitley Bay.

Throckley-born McIvor said: “When Nick asked me, I had no hesitation in saying yes. I like working with him because he’s a great manager and I’ve always said that when I was playing, I wished I had had someone like Nick in the changing room. He gets you up for games and I can understand why he has done so well in the past.”

He continued: “To be honest, Ashington is a massive club and has got loads of potential to go as far as the club want it to. I can’t wait for Saturday. It’ll be a very tough game – Stocksbridge are currently in a play off spot – but the league is wide open.”

The 41 year old added: “I watched Ashington against Sheffield recently and the result wasn’t the best but the lads never gave up and it was bit frustrating for them to go in at half time 2-0 down when they had controlled that game. However, it’s onwards and upwards and there were plenty of positives to take out of the 4-1 defeat.”

Nick Gray said: “I had Liam with me at Whitley Bay and he’s an honest, loyal and hardworking lad. Football is not rocket science and we are both on the same wavelength and have similar ideas.”