Boldon CA boss tips this former South Shields striker to shine this season

The former South Shields striker became the latest eye-catching signing by the Wearside League Division One club two weeks ago as Crumbie looks to build his squad ahead of the new season.

The Boldon boss admitted that his first season in charge of the club had been difficult as a lack of consistency hampered their chances of challenging for a top four place.

If there was one positive that Crumbie could point to from the last year it would be the form of striker Levi Collins, who plundered his way to 35 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions.

And Crumbie has pinpointed the potential partnership between Collins and former Whitley Bay frontman Ramsey as the key reason that he is confident of improving on last season’s performance.

He told The Gazette: “It was a difficult season and I think one of the main reasons we weren’t consistent enough was that we didn’t really have a focal point in attack.

“We had Levi Collins up there and he had a fantastic season for us – but we didn’t really have somebody to work alongside him on a consistent basis.

“Stephen Ramsey has come in and we needed his experience in our side.

“He has been there and done it at a good level and he can make a real difference this season because it is one area of the pitch where we know we have to improve.”

Crumbie will also be able to call upon the services of Frankie Hucks and Adam Bell after the committed to the club for the new season.

The duo have already given their manager something to ponder by finding the net in pre-season wins over Wearside League Division Two sides Wynyard Village and Shotton Colliery.

Crumbie insisted that nobody is guaranteed a place in his starting line-up and challenged all four of his strikers to prove that they deserve a chance to shine.

“All four of our strikers will have a part to play this season,” he explained.

“We will have a very busy season ahead of us and hopefully that will be even busier if we do well in the cup competitions, which is something we are hoping to do.

“We have four good strikers, four good strikers that we trust and ones that we know we can rely on.

“It’s up to all four of them to prove they deserve a place in the side because everybody will have to earn that right.”