Gateshead have confirmed they will be eligible for promotion into the EFL if they can bring a successful end to a largely positive season.
There was anger and frustration just under 12 months ago after the Heed were denied an opportunity to compete in the National League play-offs as their International Stadium home failed to meet the criteria to host League Two fixtures. Gateshead failed to hold a ten-year security of tenure on their home stadium and with Gateshead Council conducting an ongoing tender process for find a new vendor for their leisure facilities, an agreement between all parties could not be reached.
The Heed bounced back from that disappointment by lifting the FA Trophy for the first time in their history by coming through an epic final clash with Solihull Moors to lift some of the doom and gloom that had enveloped the club.
Despite an ongoing injury crisis that have forced several key players out of the action over a number of months and the departure of manager Rob Elliot, Gateshead remain firmly in the hunt for a play-off spot once again – but they will now be allowed to compete for promotion should they claim a top seven place in non-league football’s top tier.
With national leisure services provider GLL named as the new vendor to run Gateshead Council’s leisure facilities in Blaydon, Dunston and Heworth, as well as Gateshead International Stadium, the latter now meets the EFL criteria and that will keep alive Carl Magnay’s side’s hopes of delivering a historic promotion.
A club statement released on Thursday lunchtime read: “Gateshead FC can confirm that our prospective application to join the English Football League (EFL) for the 2025/26 season has been accepted, which would allow the club to compete for promotion from the Vanarama National League, if eligible through league position, come the end of the 2025/26 season.
“The club wishes to thank supporters for their patience on this matter since the end of the 2023/24 season, and would like to encourage the borough of Gateshead and further afield to support Carl Magnay and his first-team staff and players for the final 11 games of the season, with the club currently sat in fourth place in the National League table.”
The positive news comes just days after Heed chairman Neil Pinkerton described his pride over how far the club have come under supporter-led ownership and expressed his hopes a positive outcome over their promotion application appeared within reach.
“As a board, we are really happy with where we are and the players and supporters should be proud of the achievements so far,” he explained. “We had to deal with our usual January circus but I think we are going to come out of that even stronger when we get a few players back from injury.
“But are trying to maintain a strong push towards the end of the season to make sure we are in a good position for promotion. We have submitted our application for promotion to the EFL and although not official, we’ve had positive feedback from that.”
Gateshead are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they make the long trip to Aldershot Town.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gateshead-confirm-efl-eligibility-status-31141995
