Written by Max
Ground #34
Gateshead International Stadium – Gateshead FC
Saturday 26th March 2022 – National League North (Step 2)
Gateshead 0-0 Bradford Park Avenue
Attendance: 1816
Entry: £15
Gateshead is a large Town located on the South Bank of the river Tyne. It is home to around 120,000 people as well as well known architecture such as The Angel of the North and The Sage. A lot of people get it mixed up with Newcastle but anything to the south side of the river is in fact Gateshead!
The football team have been around since 1977 and spent the years between 2008 and 2019 up as high as the conference premier, even making it to a play off final in 2014 meaning they were one game away from the Football League! Sadly though due to financial irregularities and poor ownership the club were demoted a division in 2019 and now find themselves one league lower in the National League North. They are on the way up though and under the management of former Newcastle United centre back Mike Williamson find themselves top of the league going into todays game where they played host to mid table Bradford Park Avenue.
Sadly Emma couldn’t make todays game as she was working but I managed to go to the match with my Dad, Grandad, Step Mum Gill and her Dad Len who has lived in Gateshead his entire life. It was a full family affair and I was hoping for a good game to show them what Non League football is all about.
The game started at a fast pace with the home side putting some wonderful passing moves together and really looking a class outfit. It took the visitors at least 20 minutes to get their first meaningful spell of possession as they really struggled to get a foothold in the game. On the half hour mark a fantastic save from the Avenue keeper kept it all square as the Heed continued to dominate. The crowd were really getting behind their side too with chants of ‘Super Heed Army’ echoeing around the stand. Somehow though we made it to half time without a goal!
The second half began and it was more of the same. At times it felt like an attack v defence training session as the Tynesiders bombarded the Bradford defence with attack after attack, but once again the visitors keeper was in fine form keeping them out on multiple occasions.
On the hour mark Park Avenue sprung a quick counter (their first of the half) and a looping shot from the edge of the area took the keeper by surprise as it cannoned back off the crossbar! So close to the shock of all shocks! After this though the usual order was restored with Gateshead back on the attack. Balls going into the side netting, last ditch tackles and shots flying high and wide almost constantly but it really wasn’t the be their day!
In the end the leagues top scorers who average over 2 goals a game couldn’t find the back of the net which they truly deserved. On the other hand Bradford PA defended like their lives depended on it and you have to give them credit for putting their bodies on the line to earn a point. Luckily for Gateshead their title rivals Brackley were also held to a draw so they remain on top, but as the 2 teams play each other later this week the title is far from over!
Now to rate our afternoon at the International Stadium:
Location: 8/10
The Gateshead International Stadium is located just a 15 minute walk from Gateshead Station. Even better though, the stadium has its own Stop on the Metro just a few minutes away which will get you directly to and from Newcastle Station in minutes.
As you would expect from an International Sporting venue there is plenty of parking too. The only downside was lack of pubs in the immediate vicinity of the Stadium itself, although there are plenty just a short walk away in Gateshead centre.
Kit: 9/10
This years Gateshead strip is one of the most unique designs I have seen so far on our travels. The white socks and black shorts are simple but effective but then the shirt is something else. A chequered effect of black and white creates a flag like design and other details on the shirt make it look as if the flag is blowing in the wind.
The only reason this kit doesn’t get full marks is because sadly the dark blue sponsor blends in and is difficult to decipher. It is certainly a shirt that, if I were a Gateshead fan, I would be purchasing myself. And looking around within the stand many of them have done just that!
Facilities: 6/10
Underneath the main stand is a covered concourse area fitted with toilets and a bar just like you find at most football league grounds. This one in particular was very tight and with a larger than normal crowd in attendance it certainly felt cramped at times and as soon as we got what we wanted we went straight up into the stand to avoid the crowds. Despite this the concourse was nicely decorated with signage on both the bar and the food service area which was a nice touch
This is of course very different to the majority of grounds at this level with many still serving food and drink from a clubhouse.
Look: 7/10
Lets start with the obvious….This ground is not a non league stadium! All seated, and over 11 thousand of them, this ground wouldn’t look out of place in the Championship. Lets first though address the elephant in the room, there is also a huge 8 lane Athletics track between the stands and the pitch. We have experienced football in an athletics stadium before when we visited Grantham Town and we did not enjoy it. This time round though it was different. A great crowd packed into the main stand and the atmosphere echoed down from the ginormous roof above. also due to the height of the main stand you could get a good birds eye view of the pitch below.
This stand is the only one allowed for use by home supporters with a small smattering of 30 or so away fans forced to look lost in the huge stand over on the other side of the pitch! The roof on this far stand is currently under development and so during our visit was just a metal frame. Luckily for the travelling few from Bradford this meant they were the only supporters able to bask in the sun while the home fans were left to shiver in the shaded main stand.
Behind each goal are a smaller uncovered curved stands which aren’t open for supporters, which is probably a good job as you would be miles away from the action!
This isn’t a stadium designed for football, and this may divide opinion but I actually didn’t mind it! I’d be interested to know what Gateshead supporters themselves think of it and would they prefer a more orthodox non league home?
Food and Drink: 8.5/10
At today’s game I decided to go for my usual favourite, a chicken balti pie. I think I have to say it’s the best one I’ve had yet! Deep filled and loaded with chicken, and even served in a Gateshead FC branded bag. What more can you ask for!
My Grandad went for a mince pie (and it wasn’t even Christmas!) and said it was very nice. Sadly Emma couldn’t make it to todays game due to work commitments and she missed out as cans of Dark Fruits were for sale from behind the counter! Bonus Point to Gateshead!!!
TOTAL SCORE 38.5/50
This one really was a surprise. I was going into it with low expectations and worrying it was going to be another Grantham, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. A close to full main stand created a fantastic atmosphere throughout which even from afar and as a neutral meant we all really got into the game and wanted to see the Heed win. They played some wonderful football which I hope showed to my Dad and Grandad what I mean when I tell them Non-League football is much better than the stereotype and hopefully they will come with us again to another game before too long! The only thing that could have topped it off was a goal!
A great day out in fantastic weather, you can’t beat it! I’m sure we will be back to watch Gateshead again and next time Emma will be there drinking the dark fruits dry! Fingers crossed for their fans sake it will be a level higher next season and we wish them luck in their bid for promotion this year.
If you would like to see where this places Gateshead in our Non League Leaderboard click here: NON LEAGUE
If you’d like to see the Football League grounds we have visited click here: The 92
Emma’s Ground Guide 