The 22-year-old striker amassed 61 goals and 15 assists in 43 games for Birtley Town last season as they secured promotion to Northern League Division One for the first time in their history.
And his reward this week was to be offered a contract with the Tyneside club who, under boss Mike Williamson, helped launch the career of last season’s National League top goal scorer, Macaulay Langstaff.
Clutched from Wearside League side Gates-head Leam Rangers, Rutledge enjoyed a ground-breaking season with the Hoops last term and was named the BBC Newcastle Player of the Year at the Ebac Northern Football League awards.
“I’m absolutely buzzing, very excited to start,” said the Gates-head-born forward on his new deal with the Heed.
“There’s been a lot of talking back and forward between us and the club so it’s nice to finally get it over the line.
Denne historien er fra June 11, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra June 11, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CUT ABOVE THE REST!
ALAN JULIAN is fully on board with Hampton & Richmond Borough's serious message Movember even if he can't stop laughing at his players!
JOE IS SPECIAL GUEST STAR!
YATE TOWN 1 Guest EVESHAM UTD 0
GOAL ACE ROSS HAS PLENTY OF SHELF LIFE
It's 300 up for Allen but Green Lion marches on
TOWN ARE READY TO GO AGAIN!
Witham boss Kimble is eyeing a repeat
DAWS SHUTS DOWN TOWN BUT MAGPIES DRAW AGAIN
DORCHESTER TOWN boss Tom Killick called for unity to help the Magpies shake off their mini slump after a fourth league draw on the spin.
ARCHIE ANSWERS CHURCH PRAYERS IN FLOWERS BOW
TEN-man Alvechurch fought their way to a first league victory since mid-September to kick off the Tim Flowers era with a precious three points.
HORNETS HAVE THE BUZZ FOR VICTORY!
THE CLASH between Wingate & Finchley and Horsham was a tight and fiercely contested affair, with Horsham emerging as narrow victors thanks to a second-half strike.
MACCA'S THE HERO IN 'NICK' OF TIME!
SUBSTITUTE Nick McCoootie grabbed a stoppage-time winner as Weston-superMare battled back from 3-2 down with five minutes left to clinch victory in this top-of-the-table thriller at the Woodspring.
SHOTS LAUD HERO HENRY
FRUSTRATED Phil Parkinson bemoaned the rigours of life on the road as Altrincham were blown away by Storm Bert and a resurgent Aldershot Town in a fruitless tenhour round-trip though the wind and rain.
GRAHAM GIVES UNITED BOUNCE
NEW Boston United manager Graham Coughlan ended the Pilgrims’ 11-match winless run with his first attempt, at the expense of fellow survival fighters Braintree Town.
