Football Season Guide

Gateshead begin the new season on the back of their best performance in the Conference since securing promotion four years ago. The Heed challenged for the play-offs for long stages of the season and played some impressive football but at the end they just ran out of fuel and had to do with a place in the top ten. It was hardly a poor showing but Ian Bogie will be determined to do even better in the coming season and continue the upwardly mobile curve for the Tyneside club. The worry, however, is that the squad is weaker than the one from last season. Jon Shaw, the man who dragged the team through thick and thin with his goals, rejected the offer for new contract and joined Luton instead. Bogie will be hoping that Liam Hatch and new signing James Brown fill his place up front but this is a leap of imagination and the big question now is who will be scoring the goals. A few other important players, like Kris Gate and Tim Deasy have left the club too but Adam Bartlett is an excellent keeper for this level and Patrick Boyle arrived on loan having played in the top-flight in Scotland last season. As a whole though, there is a lack of real difference-making quality in midfield and attack for the Heed and they are likely to have to settle for a place in mid-table.