Gateshead hand deals to former Fleetwood Town and Boston United duo

Lee Cattermole has added two new faces to his Gateshead squad as his side prepare to face National League rivals Solihull Moors on Saturday afternoon.

The former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder revealed he was close to completing a new signing on Thursday afternoon - and he has lived by his promise after handing a one-year deal to former Fleetwood Town defender Harrison Holgate. The 26-year-old has made over 100 EFL appearances for the Cod Army - but his time with his boyhood club came to a close when he was released at the end of last season.

After spending time training and playing with a PFA squad during the summer, Holgate has now penned a one-year deal at the International Stadium and he will get a chance to make an immediate impact when he goes into the Heed squad that will face Soihull on Saturday.

After putting pen-to-paper, the defender told the Heed website: "I spoke to the gaffer a few weeks ago. He put across his thoughts for me for the season, how he wants to play, what he wants the team to look like, and I guess it was more about taking my time. It's a position I've never found myself in, I've been out of contract and it was important to not rush things. I was taking my time looking and seeing what was right because I know it's a big year for me. I wanted to go somewhere and play football, kick on again and show my quality."

‘Hopefully we can do something special’

Holgate was not the only new arrival on Friday after Cattermole also added another former Boston United player to his squad after agreeing a one-year deal with striker Jordy Hiwula. The former Coventry City and Portsmouth forward scored seven goals in 39 appearances for the Pilgrims last season - and is now hoping to impress after becoming Cattermole’s latest addition.

He said: "I'm really happy to get it over the line. I just want to add my quality and my experience, I've played at a lot of different levels and hopefully I can add my experience. I'm a hard working forward, and I like to make runs in behind and get on the ball as well. If the lads stick together, and we all work together, then hopefully we can do something special.”

Organisation

The double swoop will be a major boost for Cattermole as his side head into their home game against bottom of the table Solihull.

The visitors will arrive at the International Stadium looking to pick up their first point of the season after suffering defeats in all five of their fixtures during the opening month of the campaign. However, Cattermole is determined to focus on coaxing an improvement out of his players rather than focusing on their opponents.

He said: “The performances have been competitive, which we wanted post-Yeovil. The mood in the camp is one of frustration and disappointment - and we would expect that. But we have got back in and started working on where we can improve and we have plenty of areas for that. What they showed against Sutton and Harrogate, I am pleased with the performances and I thought we deserved something from both of those games.

“The last two performances, I am disappointed the lads didn’t get something because of the fight and organisation they showed against two very good sides. We have played five games and I know we will improve because the lads have shown the attitude and response to do that.”

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