(03 Sep 2013, 3:51 pm)fozzovmurton wrote Don't know much about Mills to be honest, just that he did wonders at York winning the FA Trophy and Conference National in a short amount of time...
A few things I want to know about Gateshead, if you don't mind me asking, it is partly a criticism to a certain point.
1. What is happening on the New Ground front, I thought plans were in place for a gaff on Prince Consort Road, is it still going to take place, because lets face it, The International Stadium is abysmal, football shouldn't be held there, the pitch is disgraceful, And I can only imagine the Conference cracking down on Gateshead if they have to be doing this every year, so the new Stadium is a must, asap, the grounds they played on were:-
Croft Park(Blyth)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mancunian10...unian1001/
Victoria Park(Hartlepool)
Credit: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/
The Riverside(Middlesbrough)
Credit: http://www.mfc.co.uk
Brunton Park(Carlisle)
Credit: http://4.bp.blogspot.com
York Street(Boston)
Credit: http://www.tmwmtt.com/
Artist Impression of a new Gateshead FC Stadium
credit: http://www.heedarmy.co.uk/
That plan is something we, at Darlington should be aspiring towards.
Pictures are not mine and are credited to the address which hosts the pictures.
2. Gateshead have Football League Aspirations, how does Gateshead plan to sustain that, at present, there average attendance never averages 4 numbers year in, year out, averaging about 494 last season, the lowest attendance in League Two last season was Accrington Stanley was over 1600, 4 times more than Heed, how does Gateshead plan to sustain themselves if they ever make to League Two, I know they would get a cut in the TV deal, and decent prize money from the League and FA for Cup Competitions. But wages would no doubt rise, Entrance would also probably go up...
Is Gateshead being bankrolled by the chairman, because being full time and pro doesn't seem justified on the crowds through the gates, or is factors like they play at the International Stadium and fans don't like it, if you moved to Prince Consort Road right now, would attendances start to go up...
The critical part comes when I think that Gateshead are living beyond there means, full time professional does not make sense and smells like they are chasing the dream at any cost...rearrange the following words into a well known statement
tears will it end only in
History says this is what eventually happens...
What is your take on it anyway pal
![[Image: 4185501107_39225d6ba0.jpg]](http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2618/4185501107_39225d6ba0.jpg)
![[Image: _65910941_65910940.jpg]](http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65910000/jpg/_65910941_65910940.jpg)
![[Image: 0,,1~9521988,00.jpg]](http://www.mfc.co.uk/javaImages/44/4b/0,,1~9521988,00.jpg)
![[Image: Brunton%2BPark%2B1.jpg]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0X79pA_32c/UDtMJRYtNkI/AAAAAAAAAAA/YIuGErohF80/s1600/Brunton%2BPark%2B1.jpg)
![[Image: 2006-07-08%20Boston%20United-t.jpg]](http://www.tmwmtt.com/slooze/Panoramas/2006-07-08%20Boston%20United-t.jpg)
![[Image: stadium_design_evolution.jpg]](http://www.heedarmy.co.uk/content/Image/stadium/stadium_design_evolution.jpg)
1. I don't know what's happening with the new stadium. I agree with you that football shouldn't be played at the International Stadium. We're all a mile away from the pitch. A lot of fans dislike the stadium due to the athletics track being in the way. We're not as close to the action compared to the majority of other grounds. I think the plans were to move into the new stadium either last year or this year, but obviously we haven't. No-one exactly knows what is happening. The sooner we get a new stadium the better. I suppose we'll have to play the waiting game.
2. It's fair to say last season was a season to forget. The attendances were so low because over half of our home matches were played elsewhere, detracting people away from the matches due to various reasons. There were only a handful of supporters who made the trip to Lincolnshire. It was the only "home" match I missed last year. (You missed York's Bootham Crescent and Barrow's Holker Street off your list of where we travelled last year)
Another reason why the figures are so low is because of the location of the International Stadium. It's a good 5-10 minute walk from G'head Stadium Metro. The 93/94 are the only buses that serve the stadium. If we get the new stadium on Prince Consort Road, I'm sure the attendances will rise dramatically simply because of the wider range of public transport available. Supporters can save money by only travelling on one bus instead of connecting onto the 93/94.
Furthermore, we are out in the middle of nowhere compared to our league counterparts. Our "derby" this year is against Halifax Town, a good 2 hour drive/train ride away. Therefore, there will be less away fans travelling up, especially on a Tuesday night, so this will undoubtedly reduce the numbers coming through the turnstiles.
The club are always seeking new initiatives to increase the attendances at matches. We recently introduced a link-up with Newcastle United, whereby Newcastle season ticket holders can come and watch Gateshead for £9 per game, as opposed to £14.
I'm sorry but I couldn't disagree more on your final point there. Being promoted back into the Football League is more than an achievable target for a club like Gateshead. League 2 teams are more supported than Conference teams, as you correctly point out, therefore increasing the number of fans of away teams travelling up to see the matches. Being in League 2 also results in greater publicity for the club, persuading more local people to attend the matches.
Additionally, League 2 has many clubs that are a lot closer to home compared to the Conference. Clubs such as Hartlepool, York, Accrington, Fleetwood, Bury, Chesterfield, Burton, Mansfield, Morecambe, Scunthorpe and Rochdale are all in that league, a more reasonable distance for us for travel, reducing costs significantly.