Michael Tait (born 30 September 1956) is an English former professional footballer, manager and football scout who works for Premier League club Newcastle United.

During a playing career spanning more than two decades, he represented Oxford United, Carlisle United, Hull City, Portsmouth, Reading, Darlington and Hartlepool United in the Football League.

Playing career

Born in Wallsend, Tait began his professional career with Oxford United in October 1974. He made 64 league appearances, including three as a substitute, and scored 23 goals before joining Carlisle United for £65,000 in February 1977.

Tait spent two and a half years at Carlisle, making 106 league appearances and scoring 20 goals. In September 1979, he joined Hull City for £150,000. He made 33 league appearances and scored three goals during his single season at Hull.

In June 1980, Tait moved to Portsmouth for £100,000. He spent seven years at the club, making 240 league appearances and scoring 30 goals. During his time at Portsmouth, the club won the Football League Third Division in 1982–83 and gained promotion to the First Division after finishing as runners-up in the Second Division in 1986–87.

Tait joined Reading for £50,000 in September 1987. He made 99 league appearances and scored ten goals before leaving for Darlington on a free transfer in August 1990.

At Darlington, Tait made 79 league appearances and scored twice. He was part of the team that won the Football League Fourth Division title in 1990–91.

In July 1992, Tait joined Hartlepool United on a free transfer. He made 61 league appearances during his first spell with the club before leaving in 1994. After a brief spell with Gretna, he returned to Hartlepool in September 1994 and remained registered as a player until 1998.

Coaching and managerial career

Hartlepool United

While still registered as a player, Tait moved into coaching at Hartlepool United. In November 1996, following the departure of Keith Houchen, he was appointed manager of the club. He led Hartlepool to a 20th-place finish in the Third Division in his first season.

Tait remained in charge until January 1999. He also continued to be registered as a player during the early part of his managerial tenure; Hartlepool records him as the oldest player to represent the club, at 40 years and 173 days.

Blyth Spartans

Later in 1999, Tait was appointed manager of Blyth Spartans, succeeding John Gamble. He remained at Croft Park until 2000.

Darlington

Tait later returned to Darlington, initially working within the club's coaching structure. In 2002, he became caretaker manager and was subsequently appointed to the position on a permanent basis in 2003. His permanent spell ended later that year, when David Hodgson returned as manager.

Tait remained associated with Darlington after his spell as first-team manager, later working with the club's reserve side before leaving in 2008.

Newcastle Blue Star and return to Blyth Spartans

In 2009, Tait briefly worked with Newcastle Blue Star before returning to Blyth Spartans for a second spell as manager. Blyth appointed him on 9 May 2009 following the departure of Harry Dunn.

In an interview shortly after his appointment, Tait said that the club had changed considerably since his first spell, particularly in its financial position and infrastructure.

Tait remained in charge for two seasons. During his second spell, Blyth reached the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy and finished ninth in Conference North in 2010–11. He left the club at the end of that season when his contract was not renewed.

Scouting career

Newcastle United

In 2012, Tait joined Newcastle United as a scout. He has continued to work in the club's scouting operation. In March 2024, Tait was reported to have attended a Championship match between Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers on behalf of Newcastle, amid reported interest in Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg.

Managerial statistics TeamFromToRecordGWLDWin %Hartlepool UnitedNovember 1996January 199911533374528.7Blyth SpartansOctober 1999May 2000Darlington (caretaker)October 2002June 20033511111331.4DarlingtonJune 2003October 200319511326.3Blyth SpartansMay 2009May 2011

Honours

Portsmouth Football League Third Division: 1982–83 Football League Second Division promotion: 1986–87

Reading Full Members' Cup: 1987–88

Darlington Football League Fourth Division: 1990–91

References

External links

Mick Tait at Soccerbase