One chapter of controversy and anguish has been closed at Gateshead - and now it's time for an exciting new one

Joy, elation and celebration oozed from the Boston United squad after they had battled their way past Gateshead to give themselves a chance to dine at non-league’s top table for the first time since 2002.

A highly impressive Altrincham side, fresh from a hard-earned win at York City, stand in their way in what will be the final game at the historic home of the Pilgrims.

By contrast, with the sharp sting of defeat etched on their faces and bitter disappointment quietening their tone, Gateshead players were visibly hurting as they said their final farewells for the season.

Mike Williamson stood pitchside as he eloquently dissected his side’s performance during the previous 90 minutes and over the last 11 months during his first foray into management.

There was a refreshingly open and honest criticism of his own performance during the defeat – but obvious pride in how his players, and the club as a whole, have evolved throughout a period of change at the International Stadium.

The events of the last 18 months at Gateshead have been well-documented and the people involved during the club’s previous ownership will not be named in this piece as they have already had more column inches than they deserve.

However, their actions did take one of the North East’s highest-ranked non-league clubs to the precipice and left the supporter-led consortium that seized control with an unenviable task of rebuilding and reinvigorating.

Naming Williamson – and assistant Ian Watson – as their new management team was one of their first actions and the duo quickly assembled a squad capable of competing in a division containing a number of former Football League clubs.

The Heed squad has evolved in terms of style of play, formation and in personnel throughout a season that has been largely positive.

That is not to say that all in the garden has been rosy and it would be disingenuous to paint an overly positive picture.

Disappointing results against the likes of Blyth Spartans, Guiseley, Halesowen Town and Bradford Park Avenue shows that there is still room for improvement.

But in reaching the play-offs, even taking benefiting from the points per game method used to calculate the final standings, is an achievement in itself.

Using the events of last season as a yardstick shows that Gateshead have progressed on and off the pitch throughout the season.

Their commercial and community departments are flourishing, the academy is under the reliable control of former Newcastle United midfielder Matty Pattison and Heed legend Ben Clark, and, for the first time in their history, the Heed will be represented by a ladies’ team next season.

Williamson admitted that his backroom staff and the club’s board are “learning on the job”, but they have proven that they are quick learners throughout the season.

Big decisions lie ahead as he looks to add to his ranks throughout another big summer for Gateshead.

If there is a positive for Williamson and Watson, it is that the foundations of their squad are already in place, unlike last summer when their hasty recruitment efforts were dictated by a takeover delayed by red tape through no fault of the new owners.

Initial transfer targets, particularly those at the top end of the pitch, had already secured moves elsewhere or on the brink of doing so.

But again, given the ongoing uncertainty and the actions during the previous year, this campaign should be viewed as a largely positive one for Gateshead, despite Saturday’s desperately disappointing defeat at Boston.

Progress has already been made this summer after key figures like Greg Olley, Jordan Preston and Elliot Forbes committed to the club for the new season and former players Jack Hunter and George Smith have already been added to the squad.

Other new additions in key areas have been identified and exciting pre-season plans are being formulated ahead of the return to action.

However, with the benefit of a year in their roles, Williamson and club chairman Neil Pinkerton will know that they cannot fall back on the actions of the former owners if targets are not met next season.

The yardstick they will measure themselves against will now be the standards that they have set on and off the pitch over the last 12 months.

One chapter of controversy and anguish has been closed – and now it’s time for an exciting new chapter full of new challenges to begin.