Heed finish on winning note amid celebrations
GATESHEAD completed a magnificent season on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Hereford to spark jubilant celebrations at the International Stadium.
The Tynesiders attracted a finalday crowd of over 4,000 and were then presented with the Vanarama National League North Trophy.
Mike Williamson’s all-conquering side finished seven points clear at the top but missed out on a century of league goals by the narrowest of margins.
The team’s record on home turf was imperious – 18 wins and just two defeats from their 21 league games on Tyneside.
Williamson steered Gateshead to the Conference North play-offs two years ago but has this time claimed the one automatic promotion place.
Trips to the likes of Southend and Torquay now beckon for the Heed as they take their place back at the top table of non-league football.
Williamson has already crammed plenty into his time at Gateshead, with the club kicked out of their own ground at one stage.
Wages went unpaid, training had to be switched to Hebburn, players were sold and the club run down and almost forced out of existence.
Fast forward three years and Williamson, the board and the fans have guided the Heed into calmer waters and back into the fifth tier of English football.
Williamson, assistant manager Ian Watson and player-coach Louis Storey have galvanised the club.
Attractive attacking football has been the order of the day for the Heed Army and they finished on 99 league goals and 116 in total.
But for the heroics of Hereford’s on-loan Wolves goalkeeper Andreas Sondergaard, Gateshead would have reached three figures in the first half.
Macaulay Langstaff scored early and late in the game to deservedly clinch the National League North Golden Boot.
He finished with 28 league goals, two more than his nearest challenger, AFC Fylde’s Nick Haughton, and 32 goals in total.
Captain Greg Olley, again influential, had a hand in both goals against Hereford with Langstaff finding the corner of the net on each occasion.
Seb Revan pulled a goal back nine minutes from time, with the final scoreline a flattering one for the Bulls.
To a man, rival managers have hailed Gateshead as the best side in National League North and Hereford boss Josh Gowling was no different.
He said: “Gateshead have been the best side by a country mile. It was right we did a guard of honour for them.
“Like myself, Mike Williamson is a young manager and he has instilled a belief and an identity and they have been excellent.
“Gateshead have been great for the division. You want a team like that to go up and I’m sure they’ll be good in the league above.”
Heed counterpart Williamson was in the dugout for the final act of a glorious campaign and directed the praise on his players.
“From day one they have been a fantastic group to work with,” said Williamson.
“Their commitment and work ethic have been phenomenal.
“They have taken on board our vision on how we wanted to play and deserve all the praise and accolades they are receiving. The pressure built up over the final weeks of the season, and it was good to get over the line at Chorley on Monday.
“That meant we could enjoy the final day in front of our own fans, who have been fantastic this season.
“We can all enjoy the moment but the planning has already begun for next season, in a league full of big clubs.
“We are delighted to be back in the National League and only lost our status three years ago due to off-thefield matters.”
Despite all their problems Gateshead finished ninth in the Conference Premier in the most traumatic of 2018/19 campaigns.
They were deducted points and put in 17th place before unceremoniously receiving the boot from the powers that be and placed in the north division.
Their rise under former Magpie Williamson has been both impressive and bigger tests now lie in store – ones which can be met head-on.
Importantly, the Tynesiders have now successfully exorcised the demons of the disastrous regime of Dr Ranjan Varghese and Joseph Cala and can plan for a bright future.