Gateshead chairman releases statement addressing various issues in bid to ease fans’ concerns

Gateshead chairman Bernard McWilliams releases a lengthy statement addressing various issues in a bid to ease fans’ concerns.

The National League club face a ban on domestic and international transfers has been imposed due to a prior transfer issue, believing the matter was resolved but is now working with FIFA to lift the ban swiftly, ensuring no impact on player recruitment or managerial plans.

Following Carl Magnay’s departure as first team manager, the club is reviewing numerous applications and aims to shortlist candidates for interviews next week, with a new manager expected to be appointed by the end of the week.

He also talked about a number of departures, while discussions are ongoing with players on the retained list and others to build a competitive squad for the upcoming season.

There is also backroom staff changes and a full review of backroom procedures is underway to support the incoming manager.

Pre-season fixture planning is nearly complete, with details to be released soon. Season ticket pricing and availability will be announced in the coming weeks.

Despite challenges, the club is restructuring from top to bottom, aiming to build a competitive team and a club fans can be proud of.

An update from the chairman.

🧵 1/4 #WorClub ⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/LLSY9xLAbh

— Gateshead FC (@GatesheadFC) June 4, 2025

Gateshead are currently unable to register new players after being handed a ban by FIFA – but the club remain confident the issue will be resolved swiftly and will not impact on their preparations for the new season.

More here via @ChronicleLive.https://t.co/I5aJhePY5E

— Mark Carruthers (@MarkCarruthers_) June 4, 2025

STATEMENT:

Firstly I would like to address the issue released in the press this afternoon.

We do have a situation with FIFA relating to a previous transfer from several years ago. This issue has been going on for some time, and as far as myself and other directors were concerned, the matter had been resolved.

However, we were informed today a FIFA registration ban that covers both domestic and international transfers had been imposed against us. Once I became aware, I contacted FIFA over the matter to identify what needs to be done to rectify and lift the ban and we should have it resolved swiftly.

This will not impact any planning we have in place with both manager and player recruitment.

We are working tirelessly to reorganise and restructure the football club from top to bottom, so work can continue with building the team on and off the pitch for next season.

Following the departure of Carl Magnay as first team manager, we have been inundated with applications with a range of calibre and experience. We are currently vetting them as an ongoing process, and we will be assessing these applicants over the weekend so we can shortlist those of interest for interview early next week. We hope to be in a position to appoint a new manager by the end of next week.

I would also like to take this opportunity to confirm the departure of Luke Clark as Head of Recruitment. We thank him for his valuable assistance over the last few seasons, as well as thanking him with his help as we transition to a new structure and look to move forward.

His role was part time, but his work ethic and experience has been invaluable to the football club and he has made his stamp via the quality of players he identified for us. He provided the club with a dedicated scouting network, alongside support from David Bujara, to support our growing recruitment structure. Luke will still be helping us in the background during this transitional period.

Lastly regarding other club departures, we wish our club doctor Ross Floyd all the best for his hard work over the years as he departs the club for personal reasons. Ross has supported the club since our return to the National League, and will support the club in recruiting a new club doctor.

We are in discussions with the players indicated in our retained list, as well as in discussions with others, to build a competitive squad for the forthcoming season and we are confident that this rebuild will produce a competitive squad.

Off the pitch, there is an ongoing review of our backroom setup, with which we are well underway. With this in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to confirm the return of Mike Coulson as our General Manager.
Mike is no stranger to Gateshead FC, having held a variety of key roles over many years and stints at the Heed, not least over the last season supporting with Football Administration.

He will work closely with Simon Johnson in overseeing football operations to make sure that we deliver what is needed so the lads can do their bit on the pitch, as well as strengthening and rebuilding Gateshead Ladies which will see closer ties with Gateshead College.

Work continues with a full review of all procedures and practices so that the club can support the new manager when they are appointed.

We are also in the final stages of planning our pre-season fixtures, and this should be released in the next few days once the final few clubs confirm. We will then post out a full schedule with relevant ticketing information.

Along with this, we hope to have our season ticket pricing structure announced, and they are due to be made available to purchase within the coming weeks.

There still are many challenges that lie ahead, but I am thankful to the many people who have offered assistance which make those challenges less daunting. I aim to make regular updates when the time is appropriate and thank you all for your patience.

I am sure we will come together in true Gateshead style and make this a club to be proud of.

Bernard McWilliams – Chairman of Gateshead Football Club

Here’s how fans reacted as the Gateshead chairman releases a statement addressing various issues in a bid to ease fans’ concerns…

@Dave_Coates: To his credit didn’t even mention the new kit partner, which was done swiftly and well and would have been an easy ‘pat on the back’. Good statement and transparency and didn’t appear to shy away from anything 👍🏼 🐐⚪⚫ #WorClub

@LRbix: Pleased for things in other departments behind the scenes at the club doing well hopefully those things with pre-season and a new manager get announced sooner rather than later. More of these updates on a regularly would be superb 👍 #WorClub

@RyanBro11591296: Is Ken still doing the PA announcements? Thats all I care about

@c_0L_e: Worrying times but good statement to be fair. No hiding

@joshgfc23: You know what, i’m critical typically but this is a good statement, actually outlines a lot. Still very worrying though

@ItsJustTheMess1: Good to Have an Update hopefully some good news i ain’t gonna drag my thoughts on the transfer debacle really worried for this season now hopefully pre season will ease me back in but right now not hopeful. Thank You For The Update Though can We please make these more regular

@Neilfarrington: Tough times at the ‘Heed. But fair play for this type of transparency. Many clubs higher up the pecking order could take note.

@Boyle_Thomas08: Good that we’re getting more updates. Hope good news start to come soon

@Randyfoz1982: Much better comms but he’s admitted he thought it had been resolved. That Sonia and Pinkerton were running the show by all accounts so they obviously haven’t been in sync with the board. A window into the chaos?

@nathancoulson98: It was reported that the transfer took place two years ago, is that false? The ban has been in place since May 1st, so how did it only become known today? Furthermore, it was reported that the club were constantly in contact with FIFA to fix this but again, only found out today?

@RyanBro11591296: Honestly even if we’ve broke every rule in the book. Whoever at FIFAs gone 2 years back to look at a transfer for a bloke who played 2 games needs to re-evaluate their life. Pure saddo 😂

@nathancoulson98: Should’ve paid the fees 🤷‍♂️ The chairman can frame it as being from “several years ago” but he was vice chairman when it happened. I have a lot of respect for what he and others of that regime have done for the club, but that’s just ducking accountability. Embarrassing.

@LRbix: Banned by FIFA you will never sing that

@nathancoulson98: Pleased for the updates in other areas, which were much needed, some are very promising. But either Mark Carruthers has been fed lies or the statement is riddled with inaccuracies.