Gateshead Obtains Council Approval for EFL Licence Eligibility

Gateshead has secured an agreement approved by the local council, which would allow the club to obtain an English Football League licence. The Gateshead International Stadium has hosted football matches since 1973. Last season, the club finished sixth in the National League but was excluded from the play-offs and potential promotion to League Two due to not possessing a ’10-year security of tenure’ at the International Stadium. Following negotiations, Gateshead reached an agreeable ‘form of wording, external’ with the EFL. This arrangement was subsequently agreed upon with the local authority, Gateshead Council, and then formally approved during a full council meeting, where a 10-year security on the stadium was granted in the event of the club’s promotion. Last season, Gateshead was removed from the play-offs without a replacement team, though they subsequently secured the FA Trophy at Wembley, marking a first in the club’s history. This season, after 18 games, the team currently holds fifth place in the National League and would require this licence to participate in the play-offs should they maintain that position at the end of the campaign. “The Heed” will continue as tenants at the International Stadium when the venue’s operation transitions from the local authority to Greenwich Leisure Limited in April 2025.