The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Top award for Toon youngster
moments of brilliance but who are not as productive as they should be”.
If the Saint wants the last word then putting on a performance at the home of Man City would be the ideal way to do it!
■ United fans may well want to nip along to the International Stadium on Saturday afternoon prior to City to pay homage to neighbours Gateshead, who have won the National North championship with a swagger and will return to non-league football’s elite playground next season.
Let the Toon join the Heed to celebrate the parade of the silver trophy by player-manager Mike Williamson and his men. Williamson was a committed central defender who served United well through 169 games, spending five of his six playing seasons in the Premier League.
Gateshead, as you probably realise, are my second club and I’m so chuffed for them. They only dropped out of the Vanarama National League because of the gross mismanagement of the previous owners before a fan consortium rode to the rescue and so deserve their moment of redemption.
The last game of a wonderful season is against Hereford United who surely dare not spoil a special day.
ELLIOT Anderson has earned the League Two Player of the Month award after inspiring Bristol Rovers to play-off clinching form.
An amazing run for the 19-year-old Geordie saw him score four times in April to propel Joey Barton’s outfit up to fourth place.
The most recent was a 95-minute winner against Rochdale last weekend that all but guaranteed the Gas’ spot in the play-offs. Since arriving on loan in January, Anderson has netted seven goals and made three assists in 20 appearances to spin Rovers’ season on its head.
Former Newcastle United midfielder Barton mentioned the Whitley Bay native in the same breath as football icon
Diego Maradona in March after his superb winner against
Colchester.
While those comparisons may be premature, Anderson’s unavoidable form has some Toon supporters calling for him to be given a chance next season.
The attacking midfielder has only featured in two brief cameo appearances for the first team but was ripping up the Premier League 2 for Elliot Dickman’s youth side prior to his loan move.
In a brief statement upon winning Player of the Month, Anderson said: “I’m delighted to receive the award from the EFL. I’m enjoying my football and Bristol Rovers is a great club to be playing for.”