Gateshead excite fans by signing striker Aidan Rutledge who scored over 60 goals in 43 games for Birtley Town last season.
After moving from Birtley, the 22-year old Gateshead-born forward has amassed 61 goal in 43 appearances. This included 15+ assists during the 2022/23 campaign, as Birtley achieved promotion to Northern League Division 1 in its history.
Aidan, who finished last season with the club and league scoring record, was named BBC Newcastle Player of Year at the Ebac North Football League Awards.
Aidan scored 49 goals over two seasons in 60 games for Gateshead Leam Rangers in the Wearside League.
Absolutely delighted to sign my first professional contract especially with a club so close to me. Cant wait to get started ⚫️⚪️ https://t.co/sV0tHUpP7M
— Aidan Rutledge (@AidanRutledge9) June 8, 2023
Here is what Aidan had to say after signing his contract: “I’m absolutely buzzing, very excited to get started. There’s been a lot of talking back and forward between us and the club so it’s nice to final get it over the line.
“Obviously for me, it’s all about getting to work during pre-season and hopefully getting some minutes against the likes of Sunderland and Harrogate. I want to prove to the fans and the coaching staff that I can help the squad in the upcoming season.”
“I want to help the team push on this season and hopefully try and reach playoffs. Being from Gateshead, I use to come watch the Heed on a weekend and I want to make the fans happy and proud”.
“My main aim with Gateshead is to get some valuable minutes in the squad and I’d love to get a few goals during pre-season. I want to make my family proud, they’ve been with me every step of the way ever since under 7s. That’s what matters most to
me.
“I already know some of the lads, due to being a northern lad and this is the right place for me to be right now. I’ve seen the shape that Mike and Ian like to play and this really suits my type of style.”
Mike Williamson added: “He’s a very exciting prospect, he’s hungry and he’s ready to get involved and show this league his attributes. He’s a local lad and when you’ve scored that amount of goals in one season, it’s very hard to ignore. We’re sure he’ll fit right into the squad here at Gateshead.”
As mentioned, Gateshead excite fans by signing a striker who scored over 60 goals in 43 games last season…
@jack37686535: The new macauley langstaff
@TheDB30: Or the first Aidan Rutledge
@RyanBro11591296: Fucking tidy business that btw. Welcome lad
@bigbazzah: Great lad and great player. He will be an excellent signing
@wqsaints: Over the moon for the lad, class player!!
@terrierdaveuk: Good luck to the lad, spearheaded Birtley to promotion last season with an unbelievable number of goals. Hope he can do similar for my home town club
@dan_bewicke: Congratulations Aiden and well done @GatesheadFC – trusting the talent of the region yet again 👏🏻
@nathancoulson98: class news, welcome to the heed Aidan
@RobShanks007: You’ve inspired my son who plays for birtley juniors that it’s possible to progress! And to the team I’ve supported since I was a child too! Best of luck!
@tunabrown1: Top player but more importantly just a top lad. Everyone at Birtley wishes you every success pal.
@Superfreak_81: Welcome to Gateshead, look forward to seeing you bang in the goals and winning games. Special club, it means more at Gateshead. Great manager who’ll get the best out of you.
@chrisump37: More goals than Haaland! Welcome to the Heed Aiden! ⚫⚪💪🏻
@bigcbeat: He’s not just about the goals either , Yes Aidan will score goals for Gateshead and plenty of them.But not often mentioned is his work rate throughout the game when the opposition have the ball. He chases opposition down, always on the move You need to stock up on fruit shoots btw
@gavinvvilliams: Class mate! Chuffed for you – go and smash it 💪
@simon_garrity: Throughly deserves this chance, go and smash it @AidanRutledge9 good luck pal 👏👏
@JamieGardner98: Legend, smash it brother ❤️
@Jackhonour: The true 🐐 not only a top player and leader but a superb lad you would want to have around your club for all the right reasons. Go and smash it Gary lad 🫡💚
@MILLEREJ93: This is kind of signing York City should be making, looking further down pyramid for the gems #ycfc
@joey__burton__: Great to see the Northern League getting recognition like this, the guy was literally tearing it up. Really interested to see how he gets on now – big step up but his record for Birtley was pretty astonishing, so there’s obvious talent there
@sevans1308: What a season he had man – fully deserved and hopefully he can go on even further. All the best @AidanRutledge9 👊
2-2!! Equaliser in the last five for Birtley, who else but Aidan Rutledge scoring. Another penalty shoot-out beckons… pic.twitter.com/nhW8RDlhC6
— Luke Duden (@LukeDudenUoS) May 1, 2023
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