National League side Gateshead appoint former Halifax boss

Gateshead have appointed former FC Halifax Town boss Neil Aspin as their new manager on an 18-month contract.

Aspin, 50, replaces Malcolm Crosby, who was sacked after five months in charge on Sunday.

Gateshead-born Aspin joined Halifax in 2009, but was fired in September with the club bottom of the National League.

"Neil displayed all of the attributes and characteristics I was looking for in a manager," chairman Richard Bennett told the club website.

"He has vast experience and knowledge of this league, a fantastic track record and a great eye for spotting talent."

Aspin, a former defender, played more than 200 Football League matches for Leeds over seven years before leaving in 1989 to spend a decade with Port Vale.

Bennett added: "Neil left Gateshead at the age of 16 to pursue a distinguished playing career before moving into management.

"I was greatly impressed with his appetite for the job. It is a position he has craved for and now he has it."

Gateshead are 13th in the National League and have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions.

Posted on 27th November 2015