Gateshead Board of Directors issues a statement days after Greg Olley’s explosive interview after the club missed out on the playoffs.
The board of Gateshead Football Club expressed gratitude for supporters’ patience and addresses recent developments.
In early 2025, the board entered an exclusivity agreement with a prospective buyer, bound by a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which restricted club activities, including transfers. The deal fell through due to unmet regulatory requirements, causing uncertainty and rumours among fans.
With the exclusivity period and NDAs lifted, the board aims to restore the club’s identity and values, acknowledging recent dilution. They face significant challenges but emphasise the club’s resilience.
Neil Pinkerton has resigned as Chairman for personal reasons, effective immediately. He reflects on his tenure since 2019 and the club’s unique culture, pledging continued support. Bernard McWilliams, Vice Chair since 2020, is appointed as the new Chairman.
Discussions with the Team and Recruitment Manager have occurred, with contract extensions and signings to be announced soon, aligning with a clear vision for the 2025/2026 season.
The board, comprised of local businesspeople, funds over 85% of the club’s finances without taking any financial drawings. They value contributions from Gateshead Soul members and seek greater involvement from elected representatives in leadership meetings.
The board acknowledges imperfections, commits to transparency, and promises regular updates to supporters, aiming to secure the club’s future with dedication and passion.
STATEMENT:
The board would like to thank everyone for their patience over recent months whilst continuing their loyal support.
Early 2025 the board entered into an exclusivity agreement with a prospective new buyer which the board believed would be monumentally beneficial to the future of Gateshead Football Club. Within this process board members were bound to a Non-Disclosure Agreement and there were conditional restrictions relating to club movements during the last transfer window.
We appreciate the uncertainty, concern, and worry this may have caused among supporters and the unnecessary speculation including the spread of rumours and misinformation.
Unfortunately, the parties concerned were unable to reach the final agreements required by the relevant governing bodies to complete the purchase of the Club.
As a result, we are no longer in an exclusivity period or bound to Non-Disclosure Agreements allowing the board to move forward.
The board acknowledges the club’s identity and core values may have been diluted in recent months and as a collective we need to do everything possible to regroup and regain those values, identity, and passion.
We are now faced with significant challenges to take Gateshead FC into the next season and beyond.
However, this is Gateshead FC, and it is no stranger to challenge or adversity with a proven resilience to transform and succeed.
Chairman, Neil Pinkerton, to step down
We can confirm today the board has received the resignation of elected Chairman, Neil Pinkerton, with immediate effect for family and personal reasons.
“My decision to step aside has been made with a heavy heart, but it has been a long time in the making, and it is a personal choice,” said Pinkerton.
It has taken significant effort to maintain status quo since I was elected in 2019, and! want to personally thank my colleagues, board members, shareholders, fellow volunteers, supporters, and sponsors for their unwavering commitment to the club.
“The recent successes of Gateshead are unprecedented and should not be underestimated – this is a club built on a strong culture and ethos, making it truly unique. Gateshead Football Club will always be part of my DNA, and I will continue to support it unconditionally”
The board would like to place on record it has been a great privilege to work with and support Neil during his tenure with the club. We wish him all the best in the future.
Appointment of Bernard McWilliams to Chairman
The board are delighted to announce the appointment of Bernard McWilliams as Chairman of Gateshead Football Club with immediate effect. Bernard has held the vice chair position since 2020 and is enthusiastic, dedicated, and passionate about the future of Gateshead Football Club.
Team Update
Discussions have been held today with the Team and Recruitment Manager and contract extensions and signings will be announced in due course. There is an agreed clear remit and vision the board and team management are now working towards to ensure the club is in the best achievable position for the 2025/2026 season.
Ongoing Commitment from the Board
Supporters need to be reassured that the board consists of local businessmen, and women who are dedicated and committed to the club and as a collective meet more than 85% of the financial burden of Gateshead Football Club. At no time has any Board Member taken any financial drawings. The Board make significant contributions continuously to the monthly financial shortfalls of the club.
The financial and volunteer support from Gateshead Soul members to supplement Board contributions is essential and the board wish to have Soul elected representatives involved in a greater capacity and representation at board and senior leadership meetings moving forward.
The board accepts it is not perfect and there are continual !earnings which will further secure the position of the club with an absolute dedication and passion, which the Borough of Gateshead and club’s supporters fully deserve. We hope this clarifies most of the issues that have been circulating and we will keep all supporters and members updated from this point moving forward on a regular basis.
Greg Olley goes viral as he criticises owners in candid interview on the chaos at Gateshead
Social media users reacted as the Gateshead Board of Directors issues a statement days after Greg Olley’s explosive interview…
@nathancoulson98: Glad the circus is over, even if it means we’re pushing water up hill. Hopefully this has been the catalyst for change and will result in full time staff to help ensure the revenue changes. Kit manufacturer is a must, very worried about that. Really happy that extensions are being offered, hopefully before other clubs got in there before us. Glad to see the board clear things up as some of the allegations against them were laughable. Can’t even forget Pinkerton’s contribution to the club.
@joshgfc23: essentially we’re still fucked for next season, still gonna have no investment, the same board who fail to promote and grow the club. just great. re list the club for sale and find someone else who’s interested please
@ItsJustTheMess1: Really poor statement basically means were just gonna be in the exact same position in January and then end of the season just cba
@StephenMurray87: What a complete and utter mess. #HeedArmy
@SuperGregOlley: Glad we have a bit of clarity however still a poor statement
@BenshamHeedLad: A lot of words but not really saying much. No clarity or reassurance of any sort for next season; very disappointing.
@OnceADagger: Not really sure what to make of this. But the statement mentions “significant challenges taking Gateshead into next season”… It’s very clutching at straws, and not something anyone wants to hope for, but I wonder if this could impact us?
@joshgfc23: we need to cut costs and that is clear, so we need to scrap the contracts of dogshit players that offer nothing, mcgowan, horton, nouble and sheaf along with others need binned. why waste the money
@stevekean2002: What a load of bull****..the situation should have been clarified long before now.. players and fans alike have been left in a situation as to whether the club can continue in its present state !!!
@MaxHeadroom68: So you dragged a takeover on for 5 months, allowed owners, who weren’t the real owners to go in the dressing room and disrupt the team. We failed to make the playoffs again. You’ve destroyed trust and smashed the identity of the club pieces. Seriously.
@LRbix: All I can gain from this statement here is the takeover is off and key players are being offered contracts which is a great to hear and the chairman stepping down and being replaced. But I’m really not sure how I feel about this statement 😕
