Former Newcastle United prospect's six-year roller-coaster finally has dream ending

From heartbreaking releases from Newcastle United and Hull City to becoming a genuine Gateshead legend - it’s no wonder Greg Olley is used to the ‘rollercoaster’ life of a footballer.

Nine years have passed since the Durham-born midfielder came out on the wrong side of a heartbreaking call that ended his time within the Magpies academy when a first senior contract looked to be in the offing.

A three-year spell at Hull City brought first-team appearances but Olley was released once again in the summer of 2018 before being snapped up by Gateshead. Over the course of the last six years, Olley has remained loyal to the Heed despite off-field issues that threatened the club’s existence, an enforced relegation, their recent play-off heartache and constant interest from other clubs.

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But that’s enough of the negatives for now. During his time at the International Stadium, Olley has become a bonafide Gateshead legend, captaining the club to their National League North title win two years ago before leading them out at Wembley in last year’s FA Trophy Final defeat against FC Halifax Town.

And Olley was at the front of the Gateshead side that claimed a historic Wembley win last weekend as they came through a penalty shoot-out to see off Solihull Moors and lift the trophy for the first time. In his own words, the ‘ebbs and flows’ of their win over their National League rivals neatly summed up the contrasting emotions and experiences Olley has endured during his time on the south bank of the Tyne.

He told Chronicle Live: “There has been every emotion under the sun in the last three or four weeks - but I keep saying that is the Gateshead way of doing things, it’s really never done the easy way. It’s been six years of toil, ups and downs and we keep referring to a rollercoaster, and that’s what the final was because there was just everything going on.

“I am just so happy we came out on the right side of the game and there were so many ebbs and flows, we had momentum, then it was stripped away. It’s just credit to everyone at this football club, we just keep grinding through and pushing forwards and that’s everyone from the top of the club, the players, the coaches and the supporters because we are all as one.”

Although Olley is too modest to to accept plaudits claiming him to be the greatest captain in Gateshead’s history, he does have a more than credible claim to such an honour. As the first Heed skipper to win a league title in over 30 years and the first to lift a trophy at Wembley, Olley is, at very, least in the conversation over who sits above the rest.

But the England C international is happy to just focus on the achievements of his side, rather than claiming any personal plaudits.

“I saw Clarky (Ben Clark, former Gateshead captain) on the way down the steps (at Wembley) and they are some very big shoes to fill as a club captain here,” he explained. “People saying because we’ve done it at Wembley, that makes you the best captain this club has had but that’s not for me to say. I have no idea, that’s for others to decide. We’ve had some amazing ones that haven’t made it at Wembley - but I’ve been blessed with possibly the greatest side Gateshead has ever seen.

“I am just so proud to be captain, I take it on my shoulders and I’m just so happy and proud.”

What lies ahead of Olley and his team-mates remains shrouded in some doubt. As it stands, discussions over the future of the International Stadium remain ongoing as Gateshead look to resolve the ten-year security of tenure issue that saw them removed from the National League play-offs last month.

The future of interim manager Rob Elliot is still to be officially confirmed - although the Chronicle understands the former Newcastle United goalkeeper is planning for next season and there seems little doubt he will be in the dugout when the Gateshead players return for pre-season in July.

Olley praised the impact Elliot has made since he stepped into the breach left by Mike Williamson’s departure to League Two club MK Dons in October - and described the former Republic of Ireland manager as ‘instrumental’ in Gateshead’s remarkable achievements this season.

He said: “We just focus on football and winning more trophies to be honest. What’s going on in the background is none of my business but hopefully it’s all sorted ahead of the summer.

“We have a nice little break to reset and go again - and I’d love Rob to be gaffer here because he’s won a trophy, he got us into the play-offs and he’s been instrumental since he took over. I can only speak highly of what he has done.”