Williamson in the frame to be next manager of Pools

Player-boss set for talks but Heed hope he stays

GATESHEAD player-manager Mike Williamson will hold talks with Hartlepool United after all about the vacant managerial post at Victoria Park.

The League Two outfit’s initial approach to put Williamson on Pools’ shortlist was rebuffed by the club and the manager.

Tony Mowbray, due to leave Blackburn Rovers after five years, is the leading contender to replace Graeme Lee at Hartlepool.

Halifax Town manager Pete Wild, whose side is in the National League play-offs, is another strongly-tipped candidate along with Bromley’s Andy Woodman and Ross Turnbull.

There are many others in the frame, with Williamson (right)so far going under the radar .

His achievements in the hotseat at Gateshead following the club’s demotion from the National League in 2019 are impressive.

After taking the Heed to the play-offs he went one better this season, guiding the International Stadium outfit to the National League North title.

Hartlepool would be an easy commute for the Blaydon-based former Premier League defender and there would be a hike in wages.

He would also have a bigger budget to play with, while another League Two club, Barrow, are also seeking a new manager. The chance to manage in the Football League would be another attraction for the 38-year-old, who played 169 games for Newcastle. Gateshead are hopeful their talismanic manager will be going nowhere and will lead the club in their first season back in the National League after a three-year absence. While Williamson, who has magnanimously foregone both his promotion bonus and wage increase, has briefly had his head turned he continues to work diligently on his squad for the 2022/23 campaign. He has lists of targets for many positions in his promotion-winning squad – including up front. Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott contributed 58 goals and 22 assists to the Heed cause and will be hot property this summer.

The duo were the first Gateshead pair of strikers to score more than 25 goals in a season since the Northern Premier League title-winning season in 1982/83.

The Tynesiders scored 114 league goals that season, former Newcastle and Everton striker Jim Pearson netting 31times in all competitions.

Strike partner Bob Topping wasn’t far behind with 26 goals as Gateshead became the first senior side in England to reach 100 points.

Golden Boot winner Langstaff scored 32 goals in total this season with Scott on 26, their pace and power too hot to handle.

Williamson knows he has a fight on his hands to hold on to the dynamic duo, with Langstaff believed to have a buy-out clause in his contract which, like Scott, has one year to run.

Fellow striker Adam Campbell has signed a two-year extension to his contract while Paul Blackett’s oneyear option is likely to be extended.

Williamson is keen to retain all of his attackers but he is also a realist and is keeping an eye on a number of potential front men.

He added: “Recruitment is an all year-round operation.

“We have lists for all positions and that includes strikers.

“You have to get the balance right but a good number of this season’s squad are tied down for next season.

“That gives us a solid foundation to build on and means we don’t have to start from scratch to assemble a new squad.

“A number of the players have already played at National League level or above and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”