Heed already planning for new campaign

GATESHEAD continue to work behind the scenes with the long build up-to the 2021/22 season underway.

The club’s board gave the green light to allow Mike Williamson’s men to continue training despite the decision to null and void the current campaign.

The Heed have gone down the flexi-furlough route - unlike other clubs like York City who have furloughed their squad to save money.

York have moved to their new all-seater 8,000-capacity stadium, Gateshead the last side to play at their old home Bootham Crescent.

The Heed travelled to York for a behind-closed-doors practice match after the 2020/21 was ended.

While not an official fixture, the game was the last to be played at the famous old ground.

A 3-1 defeat was followed by another training game against a Sunderland XI at the Stadium of Light.

Victory and a clean sheet was the reward for an impressive display at the home of the Black Cats.

Results, however, were incidental in both games, Williamson using them to prepare for the next campaign which begins in mid-August.

By furloughing their squad Gateshead would have saved money which could have been added to next season’s budget, but instead they saw the bigger picture.

Player-manager Williamson said: “While the current season was brought to a premature end we felt it was important to keep ticking over.

“For the mental wellbeing of the players it brings a bit of normality and allows us to work on things.

“It gets the lads together on the training pitch and gives them a focus in what has been a difficult year.

“We are looking to keep the core of the squad, while adding a handful of good additions.”

Retainment and recruitment will be key, the hunt for new faces assisted by the appointment of Kane Wears.

The former Preston North End recruitment co-ordinator will head up the Heed’s first-team recruitment drive.

Williamson will have a similar budget to play with again as he attempts to make his mark in the transfer market.

The task for him now is to match the impressive work done behind the scenes involving a revamped academy and the Gateshead Foundation.

He added: “It is all about the process and our identity and we will be looking to continue that progress next season.”