Taste of the future for Gateshead

Nov 6 2009 by Steve Brown, The Journal

EVEN over a crackling phone line as his train sped along tracks and under bridges, Graham Wood’s passion for Gateshead Football Club was obvious.

Introduced by his dad and driven by injustice, Wood is determined to lead the Tynesiders back to the big time.

First though, a taster of it.

Sixth-bottom of Blue Square Premier, Gateshead entertain Brentford, lower mid-table in League One, in the FA Cup tomorrow – their first appearance in the first round proper in eight years and the first time the club has hosted opposition from the Football League in a competitive game since the club was reformed 32 years ago.

They had hoped to play Sunday, in front of a larger and thus, to the Bees, more intimidating and hostile crowd, only for the visitors to insist on a Saturday affair.

Wood, however, still believes Gateshead can win.

He has always believed in his club; from the age of seven, when his father Chris – whose ashes were scattered over Gateshead’s former ground, Redheugh Park – first introduced him to his “first love”; through the sorry “travesty” of de-selection from the Football League; from afar, when he lived down south and in America; and even when his loyalty was tested by a spell as vice-chairman at Sunderland.

Now, as chairman of four years and financial backer even longer, his all is Gateshead. The recent past has seen a glimpse of the future, of full-time professionalism and a purpose-built new stadium.

And tomorrow, Wood hopes, will be a forerunner of more big days to come.

“It’s an exciting game for Gateshead, hopefully not the last,” he said.

“It would have been nice to have played on Sunday, as we originally proposed, but Brentford wouldn’t agree to it, even though a larger crowd would have earned them more money as well as us.

“Hopefully we’ll still draw a good crowd and the fans get behind the team. We’re in a good run of form and we’ve got a chance. It’s all about what happens on the day and if you get that little bit of luck, who knows?”