Manager Rob Elliot gives a passionate speech after Gateshead completes a stunning ‘Great Escape’ in the National League.
On Saturday afternoon, a 1-0 win against Aldershot meant Gateshead officially pulled off the most miraculous turnaround in English football.
After losing 16 times in a row earlier in the season, they have gone on to take 30 points from their last 15 games and stayed up with two games to go.
Elliot said in the dressing room: “Do you know what, as poor as we were today, they were good, we were poor, you done the job still, do you know what I mean, so load of credit to you.
“I think it’s, you get to the business end of the season and performances, yeah, you’ve shown over the last, lads, it’s only been seven weeks, eight weeks, it’s actually incredible, I’m so proud of yous, every single one of you, and you’ve done it at a stroll, genuinely, I’m out of breath.
“There you are, you’ve done it in an absolute stroll, but you’ve done it together, you’ve done it through believing in yourselves, hard work, getting back to what is this club’s identity, what we are, how we are as people, and to be honest with you like, I think even yous are the same.
“We’re not going mental because we don’t expect, do you know what I mean, our expectations are higher than this, so you’ve done the bare minimum, you’ve done it really well.
“I’m so proud of every single one of you, but I’m more proud of how you’ve been off the pitch, if I’m honest, as human beings, genuinely am, that’s the big thing for me, good footballers are good footballers, we’re good people, they last and they get better all the time, so I’m so proud of everyone, on and off the pitch, every single staff member, everyone who’s been a part of it.
“Alright, you all have given so much, so even people who might not have had the minutes they wanted or even injured like Joey coming on to see us today, you don’t appreciate how you are every day, the way you train, the way you treat people, the way you hold the standards up, how important that is, and that’s what’s going to drive us forward, and that’s what takes the club forward.
“I understand, so genuinely so proud of you all, I can’t thank you because I can tell you until I blow your face, but it’s you boys that have to go and do it, I genuinely believe that.
“But still only feel 40-50% of the way we can be, I understand, so these next couple of weeks, we’re going to tap to the end of the season and then we it’s either a start of a journey, lad, or it’s the end of a chapter, it’s how you want to look at it, okay, you give it a grace because you’ve been doing absolutely tremendous, but for me it’s the start of a journey, not the end of a chapter, okay, so I love you, well done.”
Transcribed with the help of TurboScribe!
Rob Elliot said, per Sunderland Echo: “We needed to bring fresh faces in just to shake up the place in January.
“That was a conscious decision and the lads that have stayed have bought into the process and have been huge for us.
“You can’t really put all of this on one person to be honest with you, it’s been a collective effort from everyone at the club.
“Everyone has played their part over the course of a two or three months and I am not singling anyone out at all because I can’t overvalue or undervalue what anyone has done.
“I think, even today, bringing on Joe Grayson and Ty Newton, who have been injured, that was huge because they have played a part too.
“Everyone has played a part, it’s a been a group effort and every single person can be proud of the effort they have put in and they have all contributed to get us to where we want to be.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet but it’s a special moment for the club.”
Here’s how social media reacted as Rob Elliot gives a passionate speech after Gateshead completes a stunning ‘Great Escape’…
@Handlewithdz: This has to be the most incredible story in football history, losing 13 League games in a row and staying up with two games remaining, absolutely incredible. Hollywood need to make a movie about this, or the least we deserve is a Netflix documentary. So happy.
@MagpieMediaX: Magnificent
@nathancoulson98: I honestly thought (like many, many others did) that we were certain to be relegated for a few months, until Rob and Louis returned. What an incredible job they’ve all done. Fair play to the fans that genuinely didn’t ever stop believing. Couldn’t have been easy 😂
@PaulNic_Journo: What a superb turnaround! So no proud of the club! Do NOT let Rob Elliott leave again! EFL is possible with him in charge!
@Hopey_Media: Well done from a Morecambe fan and Sports Journalism MA student at Sunderland. Rob Elliot and Louis Storey deserve statues at the GIS in my opinion.
@octavarium677: @TheDB30…from a Southend fan, so pleased for you as your vlogs are really superb. Your unscripted analysis 1st class. Sad to see you so despondent earlier in the season, hope your club can build on this
@CallumHallett6: Rob Elliott is comfortably one of the best managers in this Division; he’s performed miracles to keep this #WorClub side in The National League. Just 2 months ago Gateshead were bottom of the League, having lost 2-1 @ home to Brackley, losing their 16th game in a row in all competitions. Since then they’ve earned 31 points from 14 games! Character, belief + desire. Ones to watch next season! 👀
@pavs1979: What an absolute unbelievable job Elliot and his staff have done well done the heed.. hopefully see yous next season…
@stevewallwork: Great being here in Aldershot today to see safety secured. Onwards and upwards. 🍻
@Tony09817073: I think when funds became available following the Wimbledon cup game the support in coaching and obviously Rob we did start believing. Good luck to Alan also a tough time for him with no budget and little back room staff.
@joshgfc23: When rob was appointed I said that we would pretty much need a carbon copy of our first season back in the NL. We were bottom back then, and then top of the form table. We’ve only gone and done it again. Crazy how 1 man can change everything. #WorClub
@LRbix: I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT GATESHEAD FOOTBALL CLUB AT THIS MOMENT
@Connor_RiceyGFC: This has been a long fucking season,more away day’s than I’ve ever done in a single season, a lot of the time wondering what for, coming home from game’s feeling like shite. This last two month’s have been exactly why and today has just cemented every last mile, WOR CLUB 🤍🖤
@GatesheadLad23: Fantastic turnaround by Gateshead FC , we were virtually down in February but a brilliant set of results since then .Congratulations to everyone at the club .👊👊👊@GatesheadFC #gatesheadfc
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