Sorry situation causing suffering for Heed fans
PLAY-OFF DECISION SO DAMAGING TO CLUB
EIGHT days ago, after a season pockmarked by big-name departures and a never-ending injury crisis, Gateshead FC celebrated securing a National League play-off place for only the second time in their history.
Now, their remarkable achievements are in ruins and they have been denied a play-off spot after the EFL and Gateshead Council were unable to find a resolution over the club’s lease at the International Stadium.
Both have released statements, both have questioned the other, and the National League have tried their best to support the club and find a way to allow Rob Elliot’s men to fight for promotion on the pitch.
It seems everyone involved in this situation is saying their hands are effectively tied and the only party being damaged by this is Gateshead, their players, staff and volunteers, who have worked hard to achieve what has already been an overwhelmingly successful season.
This is a club that was hauled back from the precipice by loyal, dedicated supporters after it came within 72 hours of going out of business.
A club that has rebuilt itself gradually; graced the first and second round of the FA Cup; hosted a televised cup tie in front of the nation; won a league for only the second time in its history; walked out at Wembley in a major cup final for the first time; will return to the home of football in the FA Trophy Final next month; and had given itself a chance
to secure a place in the Football League for the first time since 1960. Their achievements on the field are more than matched by the impact they are making in their local community.
Club legend Ben Clark has fronted the Gateshead FC Foundation in recent years and has provided support for those in need in the most difficult of times. Whether that was during Covid-19 lockdowns, when club staff kept in contact with vulnerable supporters; in pushing the much-needed work undertaken by
the Gateshead Foodbank, or by putting on coaching courses during school holidays.
That has all been powered by the love, dedication, commitment and drive of local supporters, born and bred in the region, and the men and women they entrusted to run their football club.
I witnessed the pain and anguish they suffered when their club’s existence was placed under serious threat and bemoaned the lack of genuine support given by the footballing authorities.
Not for the first time in their recent history, Gateshead Football Club are being let down by circumstances seemingly out of their control and they are being robbed of an opportunity to give the North East a fourth Football League club. Of course, when on-field matters are played out, success is never guaranteed.
With two away play-off ties and another Wembley visit to navigate, reaching the Football League was always going to be an uphill battle – but uphill battles are what Gateshead have faced on a routine basis in recent years and they are battles that have been successfully fought on and off the pitch.
To be denied an opportunity to compete for what would be one of, if not the greatest achievement in the club’s history by bureaucracy and an inability to find a resolution is a sad sight to witness – and the only ones suffering are the ones that hold the club closest to their hearts and the men and women who are striving to make their dreams a reality.
Not for the first time in recent history, Gateshead are being let down by circumstances seemingly out of their control