Gateshead on brink of folding Dec 6 2001

Evening Chronicle

Unibond League Premier Division club Gateshead are in great danger of folding after news today that their main sponsors, Cameron Hall Developments, have pulled the plug.

Tynesiders chairman John Gibson admitted: "We are in a financial crisis. I would like to pay tribute to Douglas Hall of Cameron Hall Developments, who have been our main backers in my ten and a half years as chairman.

"But at the same time, I am distraught. I was under the impression that we had an agreement that any deal would finish at the end of a season."

Gibson added: "I have not been told personally. I had heard about the move second hand.

"I have had a meeting with David Bunce of Gateshead MBC but the council say they are unable to help us in our current situation. I find that extremely disappointing and I must therefore appeal to the public to help me to put a rescue package in place."

Gibson, who stressed that Saturday's home game against Hyde was not in danger and that Gateshead would travel to Hednesford for their FA Trophy tie on Monday night, said: "I met the players and the backroom staff last night and I have been greatly bolstered by their response. But you cannot expect loyalty to last for ever. The club has no debts, but we need about £60,000 to keep us going until the end of the season when we would have a bit of breathing space."

Gibson went on: "I am looking for several companies to help a club that carries a flag for Tyneside and not just for Gateshead.

"I am prepared to walk away from the club if somebody wants to come in and prefers to do it their way.

"If they wanted me to stay, that would be fine, but the priority is to save the club."

thats sounding bad. do people not realise how serious football is! fingers crosed everything wil work out fine.

I really hope they don't fold, who were the last UniBond League team to fold anybody? It'll be a real shame if they were to go, I wouldn't even wish that on St*lybr*dg* C*lt*c (on second thoughts...) especially as they're having quite a good season.

If you are going to fold could you do so before Saturday please? It might mean Hyde will get 3 points!

Knowsley? Bridlington? South Liverpool? Goole? Colne Dinosaurs even?

It was Knowsley I think, although it was damn near Barrow of course (as a Conference side). Most of those teams still exist in some form, even South Liverpool who are in local football I think. Goole are on the up and up, which is nice to hear (not that I fancy going there again). Knowsley have gone wihtout trace as far as I know, although since their support was tiny and their history very short and littered with ground moves and vandalism that's perhaps understandable. Chorley were also close in 95 (I think) before He Who Must Not Be Named took charge. Colne Dynamoes didn't fold due to lack of money of course, Graham White just spat his dummy because the Conference wouldn't let them in with their park pitch-like ground (although there is a team playing at Holt House now in local football, name escapes me).

Good luck Gateshead.

I think they are called Colne too aren't they? I'm not sure which league they are currently in.

As a fan of a team that has come desperately close to extinction, and knowing how much work it takes to pull things around, I wish Gateshead all the best in finding their £60k.