Gateshead FC stadium tenancy voted down by council

Gateshead were barred from the National League play-offs because of a ground issue

A call to guarantee Gateshead FC a 10-year tenancy at the International Stadium has been voted down by councillors.

It was tabled by Gateshead’s Liberal Democrats, after the club were denied the chance to compete for promotion to the English Football League (EFL) because of council uncertainties around a new stadium operator.

The Lib Dems had urged the Labour-run council to compel any external operator, that might take over the stadium from the local authority, to keep the club as a tenant.

Labour leader Martin Gannon accused the opposition party of a “ridiculous” proposal that he claimed risked exposing the local authority to legal action if it was enforced.

Despite the Club finishing in sixth place, which was enough to secure them a spot in the National League play-offs, they were barred from going for promotion as they could not meet an EFL requirement for aspiring members to have a 10-year lease on their home ground secured.

The Liberal Democrat leader for Gateshead, Ron Beadle, said: “What this motion would do is enable the club and its supporters to go forward with hope that next season and in subsequent seasons there won’t be a repetition of what has happened in this."

'Positive discussions'

Gateshead Council is in the process of seeking an outside operator to take over the venue, which Mr Gannon told colleagues is running at an £860,000-a–year deficit, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The council leader said that it would be “unsustainable” for the local authority to continue running the stadium and that decision-makers could not risk the civic centre going bust.

Mr Gannon added: “We are confident that will happen. I have taken views from officers and I am told that there are positive discussions, that we have partners who are interested and will secure the future of the football club."