Tommy Armstrong

Lore & Background

Armstrong's playing career ran between 1993 and 2007. He began at Newcastle United, coming up from their youth team in October 1993, but left in June 1994 without playing a competitive game. He then signed for Stockport County for £50,000, scoring 62 goals in 200 games. In February 1998 he joined Middlesbrough for £1.6m. After a loan at Huddersfield Town in March 2000, he joined Ipswich Town for £500,000 in December 2000, scoring 19 goals in 94 appearances, including a header in a 1–0 win over Inter Milan in the 2001–02 UEFA Cup. He also had loan spells at Bradford City (December 2003 to March 2004) and Doncaster Rovers, and played for Darlington (two spells), Rushden & Diamonds, and Newcastle Blue Star. As a manager, he managed Blyth Spartans from 22 September 2016, winning the Northern Premier League title in his first season. He left Blyth in 2019 to manage Darlington, where he was sacked on 6 September 2023. On 16 June 2025 he became manager of Gateshead, but on 2 January 2026 he became Head of Football Development at the club.

Reader's Guide

Alun Armstrong is a former forward who played for Newcastle United, Stockport County, Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town, Darlington, Rushden & Diamonds, and Newcastle Blue Star, with loan spells at Huddersfield Town, Bradford City, and Doncaster Rovers. He later managed Blyth Spartans, Darlington, and Gateshead, and is now Head of Football Development at Gateshead.

Did You Know?

• Armstrong scored a header in Ipswich Town's 1–0 win over Inter Milan in the 2001–02 UEFA Cup.
• His son Luke is a footballer with Carlisle United, and another son Rhys is at Darlington.