Olley calls for a united front as Heed’s new season planning continues

Influential midfielder Greg Olley has urged everyone connected with Gateshead to ‘stick together’ as they turn their focus towards building for next season.

Mike Williamson’ s side saw their hopes of making an immediate return to the National Leagued a shed last weekend when they were beaten in the National League North play-off semi-final by Boston United.

Williamson has already began what should be a busy summer as he looks to continue building a squad capable of challenging towards the top end of non-league’s second tier once against next season.

Williamson and assistant manager Ian Watson have already secured the services of former Heed favourites George Smith and Jack Hunter and have also drawn up a shortlist and held discussions with other potential additions to their ranks. Unlike last summer, when recruitment efforts were hampered by the red tape surrounding a supporter-led consortium’s takeover of the club, the foundations of a squad are already in place as Williamson looks to build on a steady first season in management.

Several current squad members have already committed to remaining at the International Stadium including centre-back Elliot Forbes, midfielder Nicky Deverdics and long-serving winger JJ O’Donnell.

Olley has also put pen-to-paper on a new deal to extend his time with the Heed into a third season – and he believes that his side can put in another push for promotion if everyone connected to the club shows a united front once again.

Olley said: “It’s been very quick progress and it’s very good progress.

“For Mike( Williamson ), Ian and all of the backroom staff to have done what they have done, in getting us into the play-offs is remarkable. All of Gateshead has been together, not even just the football club, it’s everyone getting involved now, which is what we need.

“That’s especially needed again when the new season starts and the fans come back.

“Hopefully, we can carry on where we left off and have another good season. We have to stick together as a club and as a town. We have missed the supporters and it’s at times like these when you need them more than ever.

“They’ll be gutted by how the season ended and we are gutted for them too.”

Subject to FA approval, Heed will get the new season underway on Saturday, October 3, with an Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round tie.