Gateshead fans react to club's league play-offs ban

Gateshead FC was told its lease agreement at the International Stadium was not secure enough

Football fans have blasted a decision to bar their club from the national league play-offs as "unjust".

Gateshead FC have been told they are ineligible for promotion as they have been unable to secure a 10-year lease on their ground at the International Stadium, which is owned by the council.

Supporters of The Heed are calling for the English Football League (EFL) to reconsider its decision.

The EFL described the situation as "avoidable" and it was "disappointing that appropriate solutions" had not been put in place by the club.

Mickey The Heed, co-host of the Heed Army podcast, said he was "enraged" by the decision and cried after hearing the news.

"No-one said we would win the play-offs but we wanted to give it a shot," he said.

"It's the players I feel sorry for."

Mickey The Heed (centre), Dave and Steeley host the Heed Army podcast

Referencing Gateshead's historic dismissal from the Football League, he said fans "want to put the wrongs of 1960 to right".

Gateshead finished sixth in the National League table and were due to play Solihill Moors in a play-off match on Tuesday.

They will still play Solihull Moors in the FA Trophy final at Wembley on 11 May.

Gateshead fan Ian Cheetham said the team had been penalised for a rule that was "arbitrary and disproportionate".

"We urge [the EFL] to reconsider this decision and allow Gateshead to compete in the play-offs without being hindered by regulations that do not take into account the exceptional efforts of the team," he added.

Leisure services criticised

Gateshead FC needed to have secured a "10-year security of tenure" at Gateshead International Stadium by 1 March.

However, the council is currently seeking a new operator to run the stadium as it attempts to balance its budget.

On Saturday, the EFL announced Gateshead was ineligible for promotion.

The Labour-run council said it was continuing to support the football club in "finding a solution to their current situation".

In the run-up to May's local council elections, other parties have been quick to criticise.

"You’ve got to ask why are the fans only finding out about this now?" said Ron Beadle, leader of Gateshead Liberal Democrats.

Rachel Cabral, Green Party candidate for Bridges ward, said she wanted the new operator to be a "not for profit partner" that could reinvest money into leisure services.

The Gateshead Conservatives said: "Labour's continued failure to manage leisure facilities for local people has resulted in a clear own goal that could have easily been avoided."

Gateshead Council agreed a 10-year lease with the football club but included a break clause in the agreement that would allow the new operator to negotiate terms with the club.

"Unfortunately, this does not seem to be enough for the English Football League," Michael Lamb, service director at Gateshead Council added.