"We did really well against the likes of Kettering at home and Telford away but we must learn to beat the lower sides next time around," he suggested.

"I was disappointed with last season overall but at least we fulfilled our main aim - to stay up.

"Next year our objective must be to finish higher up the table even though the League will be stronger."

Dunn thought the main problem had been up front.

"The striker situation was difficult from the start with Scott Bell not firing on all cylinders.

"Other forwards Phil Bell, Robbie Dale, Martin Houlahan and Andy Johnson have all struggled with injuries so that made life difficult."

Blyth Chairman Tony Platten agreed: "This is a situation we will look to address in the close season – we need to be scoring more goals."

Dunn sees many positives in local rivals Gateshead's promotion to join the Spartans in the Blue Square North: "I know their manager Ian Bogie well and I can see us swopping notes on opposition teams next season. Plus we can get scouts to their games to see other sides at first hand.

"Then, of course, there are two big derbies to look forward to!"

There was a down-side however: "They're likely to have a bigger budget than us but we'll compete with them for players as much as possible."

Meanwhile the club is looking to broaden its sponsorship base, looking for new shirt sponsors and announcing the launch of the 'Premier Sponsors Club' whereby, for £1,000, companies are guaranteed two seats at every home game, complimentary matchday hospitality and a range of other benefits and publicity opportunities.

The presentation evening awards included:

• Draeger Safety Player of the Season – Adam Bartlett


• Supporters Club Player of the Season – Adam Bartlett


• Golden Boot – Robbie Dale


• Port of Blyth Player of the Season – Gary Brown


• Players' Player of the Season – Chris McCabe


• Chairman's Award – Gareth Williams, following his 300th appearance for the Club

Goalkeeper Bartlett is in the England C squad for a tournament involving Wales, Scotland and Gibraltar this week.

The England team then travel to play friendlies in Barbados and Grenada.