Rob Elliot sends firm Gateshead message amid Stadium concern and transfer boosts

Rob Elliot refused to acknowledge any suggestions of added pressure after he was confirmed as new permanent manager of Gateshead. The former Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper took charge of the Heed on an interim basis following the departure of former manager Mike Williamson to League Two club MK Dons in October.

After a hectic period that saw several key players departing the club in January, Elliot steadied the ship after securing the signings of the likes of Derby County youngster Dajaune Brown, Welling United winger Kain Adom and Cardiff City attacking midfielder Kieron Evans.

Progress was rapid as the Heed fought a successful battle for a National League top seven place - but were removed from the play-offs over a failure to secure a ten-year security of tenure on the International Stadium. There was a silver lining for Gateshead as they lifted the FA Trophy for the first time in their history with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Solihull Moors last month.

READ MORE: Michael Olise move provides exciting Newcastle United transfer hint as rivals challenged

READ MORE: How Newcastle United can afford Michael Olise or alternative £60m marquee transfer this summer

Negotiations over permanent deals for Elliot and assistant manager Louis Storey were brought to a successful conclusion earlier this week and the former Magpies boss is now aiming to continue building on the momentum built up over the six months.

He told Chronicle Live: “There are loads of teams, brilliant football clubs, well supported, huge finances, with fantastic players - but if we start looking at what they’re doing, we take away from our strength. That’s making sure the people we bring into the football club, the people we are currently here, they come into an environment where they know exactly how we are going to play, the football itself is worked on daily - but those players understand and believe this is the best place for them to get better as people and as footballers.

“This will give them the best opportunity to get higher up, hopefully that’s with the football club, which is why we’ve had so many fantastic player be here that arguably shouldn’t be. Pressure for me is ultimately what you put on yourself and there’s no need because we will always play good football, we will always do it the right way and as long as the players individually are developing, the rest will come naturally.

“Whether that’s winning, whether that’s losing, whether that’s the play-offs, that will be a by-product of the process.”

Elliot and Storey have been in negotiations with defensive trio Joe Grayson, Kenton Richardson and Robbie Tinkler and are also focusing their attention on strengthening their squad ahead of another push for success next season. Talks with a number of potential additions to the Heed squad are ongoing but Elliot has insisted he will not rush into any deals as he aims to piece together a squad he can trust for the new season.

“It’s been a question (about the stadium situation) that has now been answered and the thing we have to realise is we have a very good squad here,” he explained. “If we can add to it, we want to add what we feel will be beneficial and will be quality. A few players have moved on and you wish them luck.

“A lot of loans have gone back and the loan system has been good for us. We’ve had some exciting players over the last 12 months at the football club. The recruitment side of this, there are things going on in the background that are really exciting but ultimately the big thing we have is the first thing to do is secure what we have got.

"What we want to to is appreciate what we’ve got, the players that got us to this point and have been a huge part of it. I want to make sure that I am working with them first and foremost. Some will move on, hopefully for positive reasons, and that will be a reflection of the football club - but the big thing for me is the players that are here next season are the players we trust and we know can deliver and continue the journey.”