Clark made over 500 appearances in total as a player for Newcastle, Sunderland and Fulham before taking on his first role in management at Huddersfield in 2008.

"First and foremost, it's football – I love it, I want to be on the grass," Clark said.

"I've been too long out of the game and an opportunity to be at home around my family at a great club with great tradition. When they contacted me I was honoured."

Blyth finished sixth in National League North this season and lost to Altrincham in the play-offs under Alun Armstrong, who quit to take charge of Darlington last month.

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