Gateshead Council respond after Gateshead FC's EFL hopes ended due to Stadium lease issues

Gateshead Council have stressed they will ‘continue to be supportive of Gateshead FC’ after the Tynesiders were denied an opportunity to compete in the National League play-offs after a situation regarding the lease on the International Stadium.

After a season where Rob Elliot’s side have fought against overwhelming odds, the Heed looked to have secured an opportunity to break into the Football League for the first time since the 1960s after last week’s 2-1 home win against Chesterfield secured a top seven birth.

Gateshead brought down the curtain on their preparations for the play-offs with another 2-1 win against Bromley on Saturday afternoon and turned their attentions towards a scheduled play-off eliminator round tie at Solihull Moors on Tuesday night.

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However, statements released by the EFL and National League confirmed Gateshead’s inability to secure a 10-year security of tenure on the International Stadium would prevent them from competing in the play-offs as it meant the club fell short of meeting the criteria for membership of the Football League.

However, Gateshead Council Service Director Michael Lamb has confirmed the local authority ‘offered to work several times with all parties to find a solution’ - but revealed their priority is to continue providing ‘sustainable and accessible leisure services for all communities’ as a tender process for several leisure outlets in the area continues.

In response to the recent announcement by the Football League, Lamb told Chronicle Live: “We continue to be supportive of Gateshead FC who we have a very good working relationship with. We have offered a licencing arrangement in line with the requirements of its current league, which allows for further negotiations if the club achieves promotion.

“However, we are currently working to appoint a partner operator for our leisure facilities - including Gateshead International Stadium. As we are not yet able to confirm how the stadium's operations will be managed in the longer term, it has been difficult to provide the 10-year security of tenure the league is seeking.

"We have offered several times to work with all parties to find a solution and we recently provided a letter which would give the league the assurances they were seeking, whilst at the same time protecting the interests of the council. The assurances included a 10 year agreement between the council and Gateshead Football Club, that includes a break clause in the agreement to ensure that any new operator is able to negotiate new terms with the club.

“Unfortunately, this does not seem to be enough for the English Football League. Whilst the announcement by the league is extremely regrettable and we understand the club's disappointment, our priority is to ensure that we can provide sustainable and accessible leisure services for all our communities. We remain committed to working with all interested parties to achieve a positive resolution and will continue to advocate for the success of Gateshead Football Club.”

Gateshead responded to the National League and EFL statements confirming their stance and revealed no further comments would be made ‘due to the legality of this matter.”

The statement in full read: “Gateshead Football Club are extremely disappointed to find ourselves in the position as outlined in statements by the EFL and the National League.

“Rest assured, we will continue to challenge both on their decisions, and we will endeavour to ensure that footballing matters are decided on the pitch.

“There, our players and staff remain 100% focused on the task in hand, and we wish to go on record to express our gratitude to the National League for supporting our challenge to the EFL. Due to the legality of this matter, no further comments will be made by Gateshead FC until appropriate.”

Gateshead have also reached the FA Trophy Final once again this season and will face Solihull Moors at Wembley on Saturday 11th May.