GATESHEAD PREVIEW

Sunderland face Gateshead to kick off our first game of preseason, which has been rearranged to be played at Hebburn Sports and Social Ground. Here’s some information on our opponents:

LAST SEASON

Gateshead very nearly made it into the playoffs of the National League last time out, finishing eighth and ending the campaign with a 0-0 draw at home to Southend United, the team who pipped them to the final spot by just one point. This was rather disappointing as they had spent the vast majority of their time throughout the season in the top seven. They tailed off rather spectacularly, winning just two of their final 14 matches and losing nine. In the cup competitions, they exited the National League Cup during the group stage, were knocked out of the FA Trophy in the fourth round and fell out of the FA Cup in a fourth qualifying round replay.

THE MANAGER

Their current boss is 50-year-old Alun Armstrong. He originally made his start in football in Newcastle United’s academy before playing for Stockport County, Middlesbrough, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town, Bradford City, Darlington, Rushden and Diamonds, Doncaster Rovers and Newcastle Blue Star, featuring in all four Football League divisions and winning two promotions prior to retiring in 2007. In 2016 he became the manager of Blyth Spartans, winning the Northern Premier League and Northumberland Senior Cup in 2017. In 2019 he returned to Darlington, managing them for over 150 games and winning a National League North Manager of the Month award, he was eventually sacked in 2023 and then went to Gateshead to be in charge of their U19 side. This month, he was appointed as the gaffer of the senior team. One of his sons, Luke Armstrong, plays for Carlisle United of the National League and his other son, Rhys, plays for Darlington in the sixth tier.

THE STADIUM

The 11,800 capacity Gateshead International Stadium is the home of Gateshead. However the game has now been moved to the Hebburn Sports and Social Ground due to concerns relating to the playing surface at the International Stadium. The stadium has a capacity of 1,500 and the nearest metro station is Hebburn, around a 20 minute walk from the ground. Usually, the venue is used by Hebburn Town, who play in the seventh tier.

NOTABLE PLAYERS

Gateshead have three former Sunderland players on their books, centre back Ben Williams, right back Kenton Richardson and left back David Ferguson (a new signing). Richardson has recently just been made club captain. Irish goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks played 25 games for them last season, the most out of any of their goalkeepers, with him previously turning out for Cork City. 22-year-old centre-forward Jovan Malcolm was last season’s top scorer for Gateshead (out of players who haven’t departed the club since) netting 12 goals in 45 matches, he has EFL experience with Accrington Stanley, West Bromwich Albion and Cheltenham Town. Regan Booty, aged 26 and playing as a central midfielder was their top playmaker last term, registering 12 assists. Additionally, he was also the most common sight in a Gateshead shirt (excluding departed players), making 48 appearances in all competitions. Another new addition for them is right back Callum Johnson, who has won the League Two title with Accrington Stanley and automatic promotions with Mansfield Town and Bradford City from the same division.

PREDICTION

Since it will only be a development squad playing, I'm going to predict a draw. 2-2.