Can Gateshead Do the Unthinkable?

Can Gateshead Do the Unthinkable?

It's fair to say Gateshead FC's season hasn't exactly gone to plan.

Prior to the opening game there was some serious turmoil and financial uncertainties around the club, with the failed takeover headed up by Victor Anichebe still casting some dark shadows.

Many understood that the task at hand was difficult, with a hampered playing squad and an unstable hierarchy making keeping the club challenging for playoffs an uphill battle.

But I'm not sure anyone at the club could have guessed quite how bad it would end up…

A recent run of 17 defeats in a row (yes, you read that right) has left them with an absolute mountain to climb to get anywhere near safety, never mind secure their place in the National League next season.

But a severely unexpected win last time out against playoff-chasing Halifax curbed the abhorrent record in recent times and sparked some small, and I stress small, murmurings of what a great escape could look like.

Elliott's Return

Rob Elliott rejoined the club not too long ago following Alun Armstrong stepping down from the managerial role.

What has followed is some squad strengthening, with familiar faces from Elliott's last reign, such as veteran Mark Beck, returning to help out the Heed.

And that has led to an undoubted upturn in performance, albeit slight, which still saw a few defeats initially before that mentioned victory over Halifax – in which the mentioned Beck managed to score the penalty that would ultimately prove to be the winner.

THIS IS ONLY THE START ☝️😤#WorClub ⚫️🟡 pic.twitter.com/z4iei8dzxo

— Gateshead FC (@GatesheadFC) February 17, 2026

There was some scepticism surrounding whether bringing Elliott back, who in many ways abandoned their promotion charge previously to chase jobs in the football league, was the right decision.

But at least thus far, he has restored some form of pride and fight to what has otherwise been an unfathomably lacklustre Gateshead outfit.

How They Survive

The gap to safety currently sits at a monstrous 10 points, albeit Gateshead do have a game in hand on each of the sides above them all the way up to Wealdstone in 16th.

Off the back of that Halifax victory, a trip to Truro City awaits in a game which is nothing short of a six-pointer given that Truro are currently just two places above the North East side. A victory could see Gateshead leapfrog them and move within seven points of safety if other results go their way.

After that the run-in is rather mixed for Gateshead, with a blend of both those near the top and those fighting to avoid the bottom regions of the table.

Gateshead have gone on this run in the last few months, suddenly win 1 game and they’re just 1 point behind us with 2 games in hand.

Do you realise how badly you’ve fucked it up @Panjabwarriors

These lot will likely be above us in a week, still with games in hand🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/s9jdIPQMRw

— Owen Hankey (@_Owxn_h8) February 17, 2026

Perhaps the most interesting game actually comes in the form of a final-day outing at Altrincham, who are one of the most plausible sides for Gateshead to catch at the current moment.

Should it get to that stage with both sides' fate still undecided, a straight shootout to see whose National League status remains could be on the cards.

But there is still a long way to go before that can even be considered a possibility, and a 10-point gap still seems rather insurmountable at this stage.

What Would Relegation Mean?

There are, like with any side, two ways that relegation could go for Gateshead.

Firstly, it could give them a bit of time to recuperate and regroup following a tumultuous year or two for the club and give them a breather from the spotlight of National League football, where a restructure and new plan could be devised going forward.

In many ways, it could be exactly what the club needs, with the owners still keen to offload to someone who can bring more ambition and a plethora of young players in the squad who would massively benefit from a bedding-in period at a lower level.

What a time to break the Halifax curse, gaffer 😅📈#WorClub ⚫️🟡 pic.twitter.com/7kka5TL9iR

— Gateshead FC (@GatesheadFC) February 18, 2026

On the flip side, it could be disastrous. With South Shields lighting up the league below and looking well equipped to come into the National League and compete straight away, relegation could see Gateshead's crown as the top North East club outside of the big two slip – leading to issues around recruitment and greater difficulty in furthering the club in the future.

Financial issues are already well documented, and a drop in revenue, including the newfound TV money in the National League, could well have serious consequences for the club's future and possibly even existence should they be unable to find owners better equipped.