Gateshead’s long-term future will always be key but play-off opportunity was too good to turn down

They were teetering on the brink of going out of business when the final whistle was blown on a traumatic and eventful 2018-19 season.

Supporters rallied behind their club with plans to work alongside a consortium to take ownership – but contingency plans were put in place in case their valiant attempts were unsuccessful.

It is not worth revisiting the ins and outs of the events that led up to this point, the club are moving on to their next chapter - but it is worth recalling one of the plans that was put in place.

There were private conversations held and eventually discussed in the public forum regarding the possibility of a phoenix club being formed and starting life in the Wearside League.

Given recent events, and with the benefit of hindsight, we now know that Gateshead’s phoenix club would have been facing a second consecutive year in non-league’s seventh tier.

That would have meant a long-term rebuilding process that would require five promotions just to reach the National League North.

Fortunately, after a lot of hard work and persistence, a supporter-led consortium saved their club and started the strenuous task of putting in place solid foundations for a successful long-term future.

However, that very same consortium faced a key decision last week at an uncertain time for the non-league game.

The National League announced on Wednesday that clubs had supported their ordinary resolution to end the 2019-20 season based on a points per game basis, promote the champions in their three divisions and to carry on with their end-of-season play-offs.

That decision allowed Gateshead to leapfrog North East neighbours Spennymoor Town and secure one of the six play-off places on offer in the National League North.

A trip to Brackley Town in the qualifying round is in the offing for Mike Williamson’s side – but much uncertainty remains before thoughts of challenging for an immediate return to non-league’s top tier can be made.

An FA Council must officially ratify the decision and there are important questions to be answered for clubs in the play-off positions ahead of any fixtures taking place.

Who will foot the bill for testing players or travel costs for the additional and unexpected fixtures? What happens with players that are coming to the end of their contracts or have been released? Will there be financial support for clubs that agree to take part?

Some of those questions were answered in an online meeting between National League officials and representatives of the clubs that have qualified for the play-offs.

It is another pivotal summer for Gateshead as they look to build on the solid financial foundation that has been put in place by their new owners.

In an impressive first 12 months in charge they have restored and repaired relationships with the local community, launched their first ever ladies’ team, strengthened their links with Gateshead College and continued to support the wonderful work undertaken by the Gateshead FC Foundation.

Progression has been made on the pitch too as Mike Williamson and Ian Watson have put together a talented side that continued to improve before the coronavirus epidemic ground the season to a halt.

Planning for next season is already well underway and the financial impact of the coronavirus epidemic means that every penny spent was carefully considered by Neil Pinkerton and his board of directors.

The potential to take part in the play-offs further muddied the waters and gave the Heed board something else to consider as they plotted the next chapter in the development of the club.

I have always said that clubs should strive to compete at the highest possible level – but these are unprecedented times and both caution and careful contemplation were required before a commitment is made either way.

Having been to the precipice in the last 12 months, Gateshead’s long-term future will always be paramount and that was the most important factor in any decision for a club.

We should not forget that Gateshead’s directors are, first and foremost, supporters of the club.

They do not take the weight of responsibility lightly and every aspect of announcing their intention to take part in the play-offs has been discussed, debated and decided.

Now, with the decision made, the club that could have been visiting step seven grounds this season has a chance to return to non-league’s elite at the first attempt.