The former Republic of Ireland manager will no doubt carry on the great tradition of Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and make sure that the long-ball game is alive and well in the Nationwide League next season.
McCarthy did an excellent job in charge of the Ireland national team but will always be remembered for his spat with their one world class player, Roy Keane. Obviously he won’t have any problems with world class players at the Stadium of Light, apart of course from Alan Shearer scoring against them next month.
But on a serious note I would just like to thank Howard Wilkinson for all the pleasure his antics have given me over the past five months, during which time he led the Mackems to a spectacular two wins in 20 Premiership games.