Rob Elliot hoping for strong pre-season for Gateshead amid Newcastle United friendly speculation
Gateshead are piecing together their pre-season plans ahead of the new National League season.
Gateshead manager Rob Elliot is hoping to piece together a strong pre-season as he prepares for the new National League campaign.
The former Newcastle United goalkeeper oversaw a remarkable upturn in fortunes during the second half of last season as the Heed avoided relegation into the National League North with a stunning run of form. A home defeat against Brackley Town in mid-February left Elliot’s men 12 points from safety - but a run of just two defeats in 15 games ensured the Tynesiders were eight points clear of the drop zone when the full-time whistle was blown on another season of change at the International Stadium.
Thoughts have already turned towards the new season and Elliot and his staff are working on the club’s retained list and identifying transfer targets as they look to build on the momentum gained by the events of recent months. However, confirming pre-season fixtures also remains high on the agenda and there has been speculation suggesting a home friendly with Newcastle is under discussion. Former Magpies keeper Elliot admitted he is hoping to agree some friendlies that can help his side prepare for the new season and hand a much needed boost to the Gateshead coffers at the same time.
He said: “We are trying to have some really positive news soon on games in pre-season and we are trying to get games that can generate huge revenue for the club. It obviously helps if we can get some games with the local sides at every level. Yes, we want to play the big teams but we also want to represent the non-league scene and play the sides around us too. We want to make it an enjoyable pre-season for everyone.
“We are fortunate to have a brilliant pitch with Newcastle United being here now but we have to protect that too so we have to be careful with the home friendly games. But we also know we need to get a good pre-season in place because it’s so important for the players and the club as a whole. A full pre-season means you will have fewer issues and we are looking forward to putting something in place that can help us attack the new season.”