Both players will be familiar faces for Spartans fans, with each recording over a century of appearances for the club.

Both originally joined Blyth in 2014, departing two years later, with Nicholson re-joining the club in 2018 as Spartans reached the National League North play-offs.

Nicholson, 28, capped four times by Wales at under-19 level, had signed for Gateshead in June 2019 from Spartans.

He began his career in the youth set-up at Newcastle United, before spells at Preston North End and Chorley preceded his initial spell at Blyth from 2014 to 2016.

He made over 100 appearances for the club before joining South Shields in December 2016, where he went on to lift the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium in 2017.

He re-joined Spartans in the summer of 2018.

Richardson, 30, scored Northern Premier Division One East side Hebburn Town`s second goal at Wembley in the FA Vase Final in May 2021.

He joined the club from South Shields in 2018.

He also enjoyed time with Newcastle United as a youngster, appearing on the first-team bench on numerous occasions in the 2010/11 season.

After loan stints at Leyton Orient, Gillingham and Accrington Stanley, he moved to Blyth in 2014.

Over 100 appearances later, he made the switch to South Shields where he played on 69 occasions, winning the first of two FA Vases.