The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Heed should be proud of achievements - skipper
GATESHEAD captain Greg Olley believes his side should be proud of their achievements as they prepare for an action-packed final month of the season.
Despite suffering a 4-2 defeat at Ebbsfleet United last weekend, Rob Elliot’s side remain in the hunt for a National League play-off place and they visit fellow top seven contenders Altrincham on Saturday.
That kicks off a big week for the Heed as they prepare to entertain Hartlepool United on Tuesday night before hosting Rochdale at the International Stadium on Good Friday.
As well as their push for a play-off place, Gateshead are potentially just 90 minutes from Wembley and they will face Northern Premier League club Macclesfield in the FA Trophy semi-final next month.
That is all a far cry from Olley’s first year with the club when off-field issues almost forced Gateshead out of business.
Poignantly, this week marks the fifth anniversary of the Gateshead Soul supporters group that played a key role in hauling the club back from the brink – and Olley has insisted it should never be forgotten just how far they have come as they prepare for the final push for success this season.
He told the Chronicle: “I think it’s come on leaps and bounds since the first year I was here.
“We are just taking it strideby-stride and the group is ever-changing as always at Gateshead. I don’t think we’ve ever had a settled team.
“Last year was a bit similar, we had a few leave in January, a few come in and that’s the way it goes. “We’ve adapted at every point.
“It’s a credit to Rob and what we’ve got building here. “It’s
Heed boss Rob Elliot the final push now. We want to give the fans something back for what they’ve done.
“Success is what we strive for at the start of every season. We set out with the aim of reaching the playoffs and trying to win some silverware.
“We have the chance to do both this year, that’s something we should be really proud of, and that’s the aim, to win them both.”
Elliot will be without the services of Louis Storey as he serves a suspension for the red card he received in last weekend’s defeat.
Goalkeeper Eddie Beach is unavailable as he is on international duty with Wales Under-21s but midfielder Ed Francis has returned from England C duty unscathed after featuring in their game against their Wales counterparts in midweek.
There could also be recalls for the likes of Marcus Dinanga, Regan Booty, Joe Grayson and Robbie Tinkler after they were named on the substitutes bench in the defeat at Ebbsfleet.