The Departing Trio
At Forge Road, the mood is a mix of anticipation and unease. The North Northumberland League season is just around the corner, with the Irons set to face Swarland in their opener on 2nd September. After a promising preseason, including a 4-1 victory over Forest Hall and the signing of three central midfielders - Liam Lightfoot, Alex Novak and Ardelan Ameen - Bransay have been tipped as favourites to win the title and secure promotion to Level 17. But August has brought unexpected challenges, as the club bids farewell to three players: Cal Fryer, Tom Blake and, most significantly, Dillon Woodgate.
Cal Fryer, the 23-year-old defensive midfielder, has left for Redcar Newmarket, a team competing in the North Riding League. Fryer struggled to find a regular role in manager Callum Baird’s 4-4-2 system, which prioritises natural central midfielders over defensive ones. His departure is not a major blow - Bransay’s midfield is now well-stocked with Lightfoot, Novak, Ameen and young Bob Wright - but it does reduce the squad’s depth in a position that could have offered tactical flexibility over the 21-game season.
Tom Blake, the 24-year-old right winger, has also moved on, joining Gables in Leyland, a club in the Mid Lancashire & District League. Blake, like Fryer, didn’t fit into Baird’s 4-4-2 setup, which relies on narrow midfielders like Shane Patton and Delano Braspenning rather than traditional wingers. While Blake provided useful depth and versatility on the right flank, his exit won’t disrupt the starting lineup. However, with a long season ahead and the potential for injuries, Bransay may feel the loss of his experience in the squad.
The most significant departure, however, is that of Dillon Woodgate, the 24-year-old, 6’6” centre-back who has been a linchpin in Bransay’s defence. Woodgate has joined AFC Tickton in Beverley, a club in East Yorkshire, competing in the East Riding County League Division Four. His move comes as a shock, given Bransay’s ambitions to win the North Northumberland League and earn promotion to the North East Combination League Division Two. Woodgate’s partnership with Jody McGettrick had shown promise in pre-season, with the pair dominating aerial battles and providing a foundation for a more solid defence after last season’s struggles. His absence leaves a gaping hole at the back, one that Bransay must address urgently.
Callum Baird, the 27-year-old manager who has instilled fresh hope in the club since taking over, is already working to find a replacement. The towering Giorgios Dimosthenous, at 6’5”, remains an asset in defence and Jody McGettrick, 22, offers a reliable option at centre-back. However, the squad’s depth is thin - young defenders like 16-year-old James Dodd-Thompson are still developing and a season of 21 matches, with each team facing off three times, demands more experience at the back. Baird has been clear about his intentions, spending long hours on the phone with local contacts and on the ferry around the North East and Yorkshire, searching for a centre-back who can step into Woodgate’s role and help Bransay maintain their status as title favourites.
As the team trains at Forge Road, there’s a sense of determination among the players. The new midfield signings have bolstered the squad and striker Marcel Byrne’s goalscoring form in preseason - highlighted by a hat-trick against Forest Hall - offers hope of a potent attack. Bransay remain the team to beat in the North Northumberland League, with Lowick United, Alnmouth United and Longhoughton Rangers hot on their heels.
But as the season approaches, the departures of Fryer, Blake and Woodgate serve as a reminder of the challenges ahead. At Forge Road, Bransay Athletic must adapt quickly. The search for a new centre-back continues and with Swarland waiting in September, Baird knows they’ll need to be at their best to turn their preseason promise into a title-winning campaign.
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