MIKE SHOWS HIS PREMIER CLASS!
WHEN you’ve played at the highest level, stepping down isn’t always as straightforward as people will have you think. But since joining Gateshead earlier this season, former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson has rapidly become an integral part of Steve Watson’s side as they continue to defy pre-season odds. The Heed won three of their four league fixtures during October – taking all three points against Havant & Waterlooville, Dagenham & Redbridge and Aldershot Town and keeping clean sheets in all three games, lifting them to eighth in the National League table, just outside the play-off places. Watson’s men kept another clean sheet as they eased past Northern League neighbours Dunston UTS in the FA Cup, earning themselves a trip to Rochdale this afternoon in the first round. On signing a oneyear deal with the Heed in August, 34-year-old Williamson became one of the transfer coups of the summer after six years down the road at St James’ Park.
Forming a formidable partnership with Fabricio Coloccini, Williamson, the former Wycombe Wanderers and Watford defender, helped Newcastle won promotion back to the Premier League in 2016-17 under Chris Hughton and went on to play over 150 games for the Toon Army.
Now, in his talismanic role at Gateshead, Williamson has helped his side look unbreakable at times as the Heed conceded just one goal in their five matches in October to gatecrash the play-off places.