THE FIELD OF Gateshead FC is ON the edGe OF GlOry, with prOmOtiON tO the FOOtball leaGue Firmly iN its siGhts – aNd we’re baCkiNG them all the way. it was a match that earned them the support of men, women and children across the North east – and almost guaranteed them a place in the history books. last may, Gateshead FC came within a whisker of returning to the Football league, after 54 years in the wilderness, when it took on Cambridge united in the Conference play-offs at wembley. and, although victory eluded them on that occasion, the club is back in the fight …and more determined than ever to win. this season, as they embark on that journey once again, they do so with the support of intu metrocentre, which has become the home shirt sponsor of Gateshead FC for the first time. “to be supported by such a high profile organisation and one of the region’s biggest employers is fantastic for us,” said Graham wood, Chairman of Gateshead FC. “to know that we have intu metrocentre behind us means a great deal to the team and fans alike.” Gateshead FC lost its place in the league in 1960 after being voted off by fellow clubs, in a process that has since been abandoned - and ever since, its overriding aim and ambition has been to make its way back. One man to whom a league return would mean more than most is the team’s central midfielder phil turnbull, whose fledgling career as a professional footballer was dramatically cut short by injury. “i was just one week into a one-year contract with york City when i dislocated my shoulder,” said phil, 27, from south shields. “it was devastating. From the age of seven all i’d wanted to be was a professional footballer. when i left harton technology College, aged 16, i signed for hartlepool united on a three year scholarship. during that time i not only got to train with the professionals, but i also got qualifications in electrical engineering. Once my three years were up, i was lucky enough to get signed to the team, which was in league One at the time, on a one year contract. “then i got poached by york City – and that’s when disaster struck and my big break was snatched from me. thankfully, though, Gateshead FC approached york City and even though they were a non-league club, when i heard about the plans they had and saw the players they’d signed, i knew i wanted to be part of that.” that was back in 2008 and so far philip’s hunch that Gateshead was destined for great things has proved correct. the club has been promoted twice and is now riding high in the Vanarama Conference league. Now, the team has begun the route that will hopefully take them back to the Football league. “that would be a return to the promised land,” said phil, the team’s vice captain. “and it’s very much within our grasp.” while a return to league football will be a dream come true for the club and its fans, for phil, however, it will be personal. “i’ll be back among football’s elite,” he said, “and it’s almost impossible to describe how much that will mean to me.” we invited some of the players from the club to get suited and booted by our very own style team. We think they scrub up well, don’t you? 8 3 2 18 22 intu intu.co.uk/metrocentre
intu Metro Magazine Winter 2014
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