Gateshead gutted to learn they’re NOT permitted to take part in National League playoffs

Gateshead have been left gutted to learn they’re NOT permitted to take part in National League playoffs, it was revealed this weekend.

Gateshead do not meet the criteria for membership to the English Football League, who say “the Club has been unable attain security of tenure to play in matches at its Stadium for a Minuit 10 seasons.”

Gateshead appealed the decision, but it was rejected by an Independent Arbitrator. Read more further down in the article including the fan reaction…

National League Statement: Gateshead Football Club

— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) April 21, 2024

NATIONAL LEAGUE STATEMENT:

The National League is extremely disappointed to announce that following a decision of the EFL, Gateshead Football Club has failed to meet the entry criteria for membership to the EFL.

As a result of the decision Gateshead will not be permitted to participate in the play-offs this season.

This decision is based on the club failing to meet the 10-year security of tenure at their stadium, required for new teams applying to enter the EFL which was required by 1 March 2024.

The club requested a 10-year security of tenure from Gateshead Council. This was refused. The National League wrote to the council in support of the application by the club highlighting the impact on the club, its supporters, and the local community if the security was not given.

Unfortunately, the response received was not supportive of the club’s requirements and placed the club at risk of a refusal of membership to the EFL and therefore forfeiture of any right to participate in the play-offs.

On 28 March 2024, following the deadline for licence applications to the EFL had passed, the Council offered options to the club. However, in the opinion of the EFL these options still did not satisfy their requirements.

The National League made representations to the EFL and are disappointed with the decision whilst at the same time recognise the entry requirements are clearly stated in the EFL rules.

The National League supported an appeal by the club which was denied by an EFL arbitration panel.

Whilst the club may consider further challenge, the current position under the rules is that the club will not be eligible to participate in the play-offs this season.

Under the rules, the club cannot be replaced, and they will be removed from the planned fixture on Tuesday 23 April 2024. The outcome of this is that Altrincham will get a bye to the semi-finals, NOT Solihull as initially announced.

UPDATE:

Eliminator A – Wednesday 28 April – Solihull Moors v FC Halifax Town – 7pm
Semi-Final – Saturday 27 April – Barnet v Solihull Moors/FC Halifax Town – 5.30pm
Semi-Final – Sunday 28 April – Bromley v Altrincham – 4pm
Promotion Final – Sunday 5 May – 3pm

EFL STATEMENT:

Gateshead Football Club will not be permitted by the National League to participate in this season’s Play-Offs as the terms of the Club’s occupation at the Gateshead International Stadium, owned by the Borough Council of Gateshead, does not meet the relevant qualifying criteria to enable the Club to become a Member of the EFL.

All other Clubs permitted to play in the National League play-offs adhered to the requirements as set out in EFL Regulations.

Despite the League working with Gateshead throughout last season and again in recent months, the Club has been unable to attain security of tenure to play matches at its Stadium for a minimum of 10 seasons.

All National League Clubs are required to apply annually to the EFL should they wish to be eligible for promotion, which Gateshead did alongside other Clubs by the 30 November deadline. Working with the EFL, Clubs then had until 1 March to ensure that all the relevant criteria of EFL Regulations were met.

As Gateshead failed to meet the security of tenure requirement, the EFL rejected its application. The Club appealed the League’s decision claiming that it was irrational or unreasonable, but that appeal has now been rejected after consideration by an independent Arbitrator.

As the EFL strongly believes in the principles of promotion and relegation it is therefore highly disappointing that appropriate solutions have not been put in place over the previous two-year period, as avoidable circumstances are preventing Gateshead from progressing up the pyramid even if the Club achieves success through sporting merit.

The League hopes that Gateshead and the relevant stakeholders can address this matter so that the Club can meet the obligations of EFL membership and be eligible for promotion in future seasons

The Decision of the independent Arbitrator and written reasons are available to view on EFL.com.

Statement from the Gateshead Football Club Board of Directors.

“Gateshead Football Club are extremely disappointed to find ourselves in the position as outlined in the statements released by the EFL and the National League.

“Rest assured we will continue to challenge both on their decisions, and we will endeavour to ensure that footballing matters are decided on the pitch.

“Therefore, our players and staff remain 100% focused on the task in hand, and we wish go on record to express our gratitude to the National League for supporting our challenge to the EFL.

“Due to the legality of this matter, no further comments will be made by Gateshead FC until appropriate.”

Final day sees 23/24 National League, North and South playoffs and relegation confirmed

This is how fans reacted with Gateshead gutted to learn they’re NOT permitted to take part in National League playoffs…

@mattyduggan: This is shocking decision all the hard work that everyone has put in this season throw out of the window

@webdarren: Why on earth won’t the council give them a 10 year lease? Ridiculous. You can’t blame the league or the EFL on this, the rules are clear.

@ClennellPeter: Absolute travesty. Gateshead FC can’t enter the National League play-offs. Seems like @gateshead council don’t understand the value of the Club to their community. 🏴🏳️🏴🏳️ #WorClub #HeedArmy

@Jack_jones067: Why not just give it to Aldershot

@AndrewM21863757: All of this was known weeks ago, So @altrinchamfc were in fact disadvantaged by finishing 4th so have another game to play in the play offs

@calvertskans: Wow, that’s massive for Solihull. Don’t get why Aldershot can’t just take their place though?

@mjjakeman85: Surely the team who come 4th (Altrincham) should get a bye to the semis rather than the team who come 5th (Solihull)? Should be Altrincham with a bye and Solihull v Halifax

@BenTatam1: what is the point in gateshead competing in the league next season then if they can’t get promoted 😂

@Scoabin88: Absolute kick in the balls for the Heed. After the effort that’s gone in to get into the playoffs. The Council have a lot to answer for here.

@rthur_ferridge: Disgraceful that Gateshead Council haven’t guaranteed stadium security for @GatesheadFC. Regardless of whatever circumstances there may have been, they could have at least worked within the dates set by the EFL. Awful news for a great club

@Gdobbo_szn: Should’ve just given their spot to aldershot?

@cricketcelt: This obviously sucks for Gateshead most of all, but you’ve also got to feel for Altrincham, who have to play a quarter final this week while the team finishing directly below them get a bye to the semis.

@CymruOllie: Must be absolutely sickening to have an unreal season with a chance to get promoted to the Football League scuppered because your local council wouldn’t give you a 10 year lease on the ground. Absolutely devastated for Gateshead 🖤🤍

@LeeDForster: Reasons for this @gateshead???? Preventing @GatesheadFC the opportunity to earn promotion to the @EFL isn’t a good look on the eve of the local elections 🤷🏻‍♂️

@ChrisJStott19: Is this a joke, seriously? Why wait until now to make this decision? Gutted for Gateshead hopefully common sense will prevail

@SteveHermon: Solihull Moors get a bye into the semi-finals of the National League play-offs after Gateshead are thrown out following a decision by the EFL.

@thechebsy: Shocking that Moors get a bye and not the 4th place team.

@AC1AC1AC: This league is genuinely awful 😂

@ConnorTheDevine: How on earth have Solihull got a bye over Alty?

@ljacks1118: Disgrace from @gateshead council, @EFL stopping local sports a chance to improve the region and local community

@BrianRo37622801: The play off place should 100% be given to Aldershot.

@AlbionIsland: That is an absolute disgrace.

@Harry0AFC: Fucking hell

@Xposethetruthp2: Absolute tinpot league. Gateshead have been absolutely brilliant this season and deserve to have the opportunity to go up. What’s the point of playing in this league if they don’t have the opportunity to go up?

@garybrierley: That’s a shit situation. I can’t believe more hasn’t been made of this before it got to this point. Not replacing Gateshead must mean there is some hope of a last minute reprieve?

@fletchoochoo: What’s the point of playing if not allowed to compete? Gateshead council should hang their heads in shame.

@TheDB30: Absolutely gutted for everyone at the football club, not least the players and the management that worked their arses off all season. Absolutely farcical that it’s taken until now for this to come out. @gateshead you have a club in YOUR OWN town to be proud of and shafted them 🖕

@RBlack95: Well @gateshead you are an absolute disgrace. The council are killing the club. They need voted out of the town asap and every mp/person responsible should never ever be allowed to represent this town ever again. Livid

@EverMore_NUFC: Awful for @GatesheadFC this! Wtf is going on Gateshead Council? Surely having the side in the @EFL would be great for the region. Why wouldn’t you support that? 🤷🏻

@CPFC_SM:
1. Gateshead council are an embarrassment
2. Surely they let Aldershot in instead of a bye?
3. If there is a bye, surely it should be 4th placed Altrincham rather than 5th place Solihull, regardless of the play off tree

@TROSC_TRFC: Potential opponent for next year denied promotion chance. Imagine being a Gateshead fan and attending games all season to find out your play off game is cancelled because you’re not allowed to go up and the season was pointless. Very bizarre situation for it to come up now

@duncanyoung68: Terrible for Gateshead! I feel desperately sorry for their fans. They’ve been let down by the council – Who’da thought?? Also @BarnetFC now ‘lose’ some advantage of finishing second as Solihull now have the same recovery time between games.

@beespod: @gateshead hang your head in shame. You have a very good team in your borough and you don’t support them. As #barnetfc fans this is great news as we really respect Gateshead but for sporting integrity this is terrible.