By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Phil Airey, who was released by Newcastle this summer, has joined non-league neighbours Blyth Spartans ahead of the new season.

The pacy striker - who netted twice against the Spartans in the 2010/11 Sage Northumberland FA Senior Cup final - made one first-team appearance for his boyhood club, as a substitute against Stevenage in the FA Cup.

Last season he had brief loan spells with Hibernian and Gateshead and was one of 11 players to leave the Sports Direct Arena on free transfers at the end of the campaign.

Former Magpies player Tommy Cassidy is Blyth's manager and he told his club's official website: "I'm pleased to get Phil on board, he comes with an excellent pedigree and good goalscoring record with Newcastle United.

"I've done some research into Phil and have checked with people into what he's like and everyone I've spoken to has suggested that he'll do a good job for us and will hopefully score some goals.

"Like most players who have been released by a professional club, he is keen to get back into the full time game, I have told him that the best way to achieve this is to be scoring goals for us."