Who Are... Gateshead FC?
The turbulent history of football in Gateshead has taken a turn for the positive at a time when the region's largest football club seeks to halt a decline in its fortunes - Newcastle United. Previous incarnations of Gateshead's footballing representatives have in much the same way that Stevenage's have done in previous years, and there is little seperating both Gateshead and Stevenage Borough in terms of age and a desire to safeguard the long-term security of football for their respective localities.

Since their previous stint in the top flight of non-league football, Gateshead have experienced two demotions and have been forced to work hard to reclaim a spot at the top. However, the past few seasons have shown a remarkable tenacity about the team, with a points deduction failing to halt their rise into the Northern Premier League in 2004, while their stay in Blue Square North lasted just one season last time out as they came straight up with no time to breathe.

The meteoric rise, however, could lead to problems as the Tyneside club attempts to battle it out in the Blue Square Premier. The strength of the competition has altered dramatically since 1998, and there is a lot of ground to make up in a short space of time. However, the club managed to just about keep itself out of the relegation zone by the narrowest of margins and safeguarded their Blue Square Premier status for the 2010/1 campaign.