Gateshead FC in Crisis: FIFA Bans, Playoff Rejection and Failed Takeovers Explained

Gateshead FC are often the forgotten club in the North-East of England. With two Premier League giants Sunderland and Newcastle also occupying the area, the National League club are understandably outside of the typical media spotlight.

But the recent developments in their story oppose that sentiment wholeheartedly. From FIFA imposing a transfer ban on the club, to being refused playing in the play-offs due to uncertainty around their stadium, to their squad and staff being picked apart by other clubs.

Here's how what looked to be the best period in the clubs history just a couple of short years ago has instead emerged as one of the most tumultuous and uncertain ever seen.

The 23/24 Playoff Debacle

In 23/24, Gateshead had a season of mixed emotions.

A first Isuzu trophy win in their history marked a monumental success not only for the club but for the community too.

The issue was that, under the surface, said triumph merely papered over the cracks of the heart-breaking end to their National League campaign.

After finishing 6th and making it into the National League playoffs for the first time since 2014, the club appeared to have a real chance at promotion to the football league for the first time in its history.

That was until they were removed from the playoffs due to no fault of their own.

🚨 Gateshead have been kicked out of the play-offs by the EFL and National League because their council will not sanction a guarantee that they will remain at their stadium for the next 10 years.

Punched massively above their weight with a minimal budget, and all the hard work… pic.twitter.com/LuitDjGOmO

— The72 - We Love the #EFL (@_The72) April 21, 2024

All National League clubs are required to annually apply to the EFL in order to be eligible for promotion. Clubs are then given until March 1st to ensure that all the relevant criteria to play in the EFL are met.

During Gateshead's process, issues around the security of their stadium arose, ultimately leading to the EFL denying them access to competing in their competition.

Gateshead Council, who own Gateshead FC's 'Gateshead International Stadium', refused to give security of tenure to play matches for the minimum of 10 years required to be allowed into the EFL.

According to Gateshead Council themselves, due to working on finding a partner operator for their leisure facilities, they were unable to confirm how the stadium's operations would be managed in the longer term- making it difficult for them to provide the needed security.

And, despite both the EFL and National League working with Gateshead to find a solution, they were unable to reach one and all of Gateshead's hard work throughout the season was undone.

Not only did this playoff snub halt Gateshead's progress as a club on the pitch, but it also inhibited the eventual exit of manager Rob Elliot and assistant Louis Storey who were poached by EFL club Crawley Town off the back of the saga.

This was the second time in two years Gateshead had had their management team pinched, the first being Mike Williamson who was given the MK Dons job exactly a year earlier.

The 24/25 Season

As mentioned, Gateshead entered the 24/25 season with Rob Elliot still at the helm before his departure in October which saw club legend Ben Clark appointed as interim manager whilst Gateshead searched for their new gaffer.

Mags. Is. Back. 🏁🫡

We're delighted to confirm the appointment of Carl Magnay as our new manager!

🔗 https://t.co/ofrTtMk4KA#WorClub ⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/exmDyahxIH

— Gateshead FC (@GatesheadFC) October 15, 2024

Carl Magnay, Gateshead's now retired former goalkeeper, was the man chosen to lead the club in their pursuit of yet another playoff season.

What followed was what can only be described as one of the biggest bottle-jobs ever seen in the National League.

After sitting comfortably in 4th place and looking destined to remain in the playoff picture, Gateshead went on a 13 game run which saw them only win two games. Picking up a dire total of eight points from a possible 39.

This horrendous form meant that they went into a final game of the season shootout with Southend, needing three points at home to salvage their playoff spot. The game finished 0-0, Gateshead barely tested the Southend goalkeeper at all in the 90 minutes and missed out on a chance at redemption with a whimper.

The Failed Takeover and FIFA Transfer Ban

Despite the desperately disappointing close to last seasons campaign there had been some rumblings of possible excitement, coming in the form of a proposed takeover which could have had massively positive implications for the future of the club.

🚨 CLUB NEWS 🚨

Former Sunderland and West Brom striker, Victor Anichebe is head of a consortium buying Gateshead.

Just awaiting confirmation from the club but deal done and have some new signings lined up to come in once takeover done. pic.twitter.com/4CY4VPgWwG

— The Heed Hub HQ (@HeedHubHQ) March 19, 2025

The takeover was said to be led by a consortium with former Sunderland and Everton striker Victor Anichebe involved in the bid. However, after a period of quiet and confusion the deal was said to have fallen through with an agreement between parties reaching the satisfaction of the relevant bodies unable to be agreed.

This led to the resignation of Chairman Neil Pinkerton, with Vice-Chairman Bernard McWilliams taking over his duties. In a statement released by the club they said:

"We are now faced with significant challenges to take Gateshead FC into the next season and beyond. However, we are no stranger to challenge or adversity with a proven resilience to transform and succeed."

And just like expected, it didn't take long for those significant challenges to come.

Since the announcement of the failed takeover on May 9th, Gateshead have already had a manager change with Alun Armstrong taking over from Magnay. Not to mention loss of over 10 players who were heavily involved in their squad last season- Including club captain Greg Olley to rivals York, Ben Worman to Solihull, Luke Hannant to Oldham Athletic and Regan Booty to League two side Barrow all on a free.

Now losing 10 first team players is a massive deal for any club, but especially so when you are facing a FIFA imposed transfer ban which stops you from signing replacements.

Yes, you heard that right, FIFA imposed a transfer ban on little old Gateshead. This was as a result of issues with the 2023 signing of Harrison Clark from Scottish club Stirling Albion as it broke the governing bodies registration rules.

This meant that Gateshead, among all of the other pressing issues at hand, spent the first two months of their recruitment cycle trying to communicate a suitable deal with FIFA to allow the ban to be lifted.

This agreement was reached on the 8th July, meaning Gateshead are now free to register players. But the damage may well have already been done.

The uncertainty caused by both the lack of takeover, which has cast doubt over the security of finances for the 25/26 season, and the transfer ban, has caused Gateshead to be left with a very thin first team squad.

Signings have been made but almost all of them have come from giving professional deals to those in the academy setup rather than signing established, experienced names.

This has understandably led to panic amongst the fanbase, with fans growing increasingly worried about their chances of merely surviving in the upcoming campaign.

To make matters worse, Gateshead haven't yet been able to play any preseason friendlies at their home ground. The first game at the GIS was set to be played on the 12th July against Doncaster Rovers, however after an examination of the pitch, it was deemed that the playing surface was not yet ready to be played on and the game was played behind closed doors instead.

ℹ️ In order to prioritise work on the Gateshead International Stadium pitch, our upcoming fixture at home to Doncaster Rovers has been cancelled.

The fixture will now be played behind closed doors - all tickets will be automatically refunded.#WorClub ⚪️⚫️

— Gateshead FC (@GatesheadFC) July 10, 2025

Despite the club calmly stating that the pitch would face no problems in being ready for the season opener in less than a months time, it is yet another understandably worrying scenario which doesn't exactly make the club's outlook any more positive.

Are There Any Positives?

Well in short, not really.

The start of pre-season has seen the academy graduates show promise, with Lucas Lowery and Callum Bone both standing out to this point. But even with that there is a feel around the club that some more experienced senior players must enter the fold if Gateshead are to compete next season.

Gateshead as a football club have also faced major problems before, each time rising above their woes and continuing on their journey. In 2019 Gateshead were actually relegated from the National League into the National League North due to financial irregularities. From there they fought their way back and have today re-established themselves as a National League regular.

There is no doubt that Gateshead FC are facing an uphill struggle next season. The National League continues to get stronger and stronger and clubs bankrolled with the sole intention of making it to the promise land of the football league are rife.

But, Gateshead have thrived as the underdog in the past. They have defied odds and performed above their means, and have given a community something to believe in.

Whether the club can overcome their issues and uncertainty is yet to be seen, but no matter what, just like always, Gateshead FC will do everything they can to survive.