Gateshead officials discuss play-off dilemma, why they wanted to take part and why it won't jeopardise club’s future

Mike Williamson’s side secured a top seven place at the expense of North East rivals Spennymoor Town after clubs supported an ordinary resolution to calculate the final standings in all three National League divisions on a points per game basis.

Heed chairman Neil Pinkerton took part in an online meeting with the National League and representatives of the 11 other clubs that had qualified for the play-offs in the North and South divisions on Friday.

During the meeting clubs were given an outline of the requirements they had to satisfy to participate in the play-offs including following stage one and stage two of the government guidelines for the return of elite sport and conducting weekly COVID-19 testing with players and staff.

After considering the options available, Gateshead have announced that they intend to allow Mike Williamson and his players to return to training “as soon as possible” with the intention of preparing for a qualifying round tie at Brackley Town on either the 18th or 19th July.

With individual tests costing £125 each, Gateshead also confirmed that clubs will be expected to cover the cost of testing on a weekly basis in preparation for the trip to St James’ Park as they look to become the only North East club to secure promotion this season and return to non-league’s top tier at the first time of asking.

A statement released on the club’s official website read: “Following yesterday’s meeting with The National League, The FA and the other 11 clubs involved in the play-offs,

“Gateshead Football Club were given a blueprint of the requirements to be able to compete in the Vanarama National League North play-offs.

“To be able to do so we must follow stage one and stage two of the government guidelines for returning to elite sport. Clubs must also conduct weekly COVID-19 testing to ensure we protect our community, players, staff, and the NHS.

“Therefore, the club will be looking to resume training as soon as possible with the intention of competing in the Vanarama National League North play-offs. With a fixture against Brackley Town FC expected to take place on either the 18th or 19th July.

“Although the cost is significant and 100% borne by all the Non-League clubs participating, Gateshead Football Club are committed to finishing the season following the outcome of the resolution, which saw the majority of member clubs vote in favour of the play-offs.

“By making this commitment, we are maintaining the integrity of the competition and ensuring that four clubs will be rightly promoted into the National League.”

The move comes just 12 months after Gateshead were on the brink of going out of business after the tumultuous tenure of former owner Dr Ranjan Varghese.

A supporter-led consortium seized control of the club and have worked hard to put solid foundations in place on and off the field at the International Stadium.

However, Gateshead moved to allay any fears that the cost of participating in the play-offs could jeopardise the club’s future.

The statement continued: “We must stress that this decision will not put the club in any immediate financial danger or adversely affect the agreed 20/21 budget despite not receiving any financial assistance from footballs governing bodies.

“Without dwelling too much on the recent club history, we recognise that socially we are currently in some unprecedented times as we face up to a new world, post COVID-19.

“We believe that it is only fitting that we give our loyal supporters, the wider community and indeed the rest of the North East something positive to shout about.

“We know you will be right behind us once again as we look to right the wrongs of last season’s enforced demotion in what could see a fairy-tale ending in the next chapter.”

Heed supporters have rallied behind their club over the last month after they launched a ‘budget booster’ initiative with the aim of adding £10,000 to Williamson’s playing budget for next season.

That target was reached within the first ten days and the amount raised is heading towards £17,000 ahead of the final day of fundraising on Sunday.

However, Gateshead stressed that all proceeds donated to the fund would be used on next season’s playing budget and would not be used to cover the cost of the weekly COVID-19 testing.