Gateshead fc unable to register players after being handed fifa ban

CRISIS-HIT GATESHEAD BANNED FROM SIGNING NEW PLAYERS AMID HISTORIC TRANSFER ISSUE 17:33, 04 Jun 2025Updated 17:40, 04 Jun 2025 Gateshead are currently unable to register players for the

2025/26 National League season after being placed under a registration ban by FIFA. The Heed have endured a challenging start to the summer following the departures of chairman Neil

Pinkerton, manager Carl Magnay, club captain Greg Olley, club doctor Ross Floyd and head of recruitment Luke Clark. A number of scouts working as part of Clark’s extensive recruitment team

that have played key roles over the last 18 months have also confirmed their departure from their roles at the International Stadium in recent days too. However, it is the news Gateshead are

unable to register any new signings that will concern supporters as they look for some positive news from the National League club. The Heed are currently in ongoing communication with the

Football Association, National League and FIFA in a bid to resolve the issue, which Chronicle Live understands is related to a transfer conducted two years ago, and remain confident the

situation will not impact on their plans for the new season as they look to recover from a worrying start to the summer. In response to the ban, a Gateshead statement read: “We are aware of

the situation and are currently in contact with the relevant authorities in order to resolve the issue, which we are confident will have no effect on our plans for the upcoming season”

Article continues below The Heed are making progress in their bid to find a permanent successor to former manager Carl Magnay, who resigned from his position at the International Stadium

before being named as assistant manager at National League North neighbours South Shields less than 24 hours later. Gateshead confirmed their desire to ‘appoint a new manager as swiftly and

efficiently as possible’ in the aftermath of Magnay’s departure - and the club have been heartened by the response from potential candidates over the last 48 hours. Chronicle Live

understands Gateshead have received over 40 serious expressions of interest from managers and coaches with EFL and National League experience and will look to work their way down to a

shortlist of around five once the deadline for applications is reached early next week. The Heed are also working on finalising their pre-season schedule and remain confident they can be in

a strong position on and off the pitch by the time the new National League season gets underway in August. Meanwhile, former Gateshead boss Magnay has revealed why he is looking forward to

working alongside new South Shields manager Ian Watson once again. Former Blyth Spartans and Darlington left-back was named as new Mariners boss last week and he wasted little time in

persuading Magnay to join him as his assistant manager with the National League North club. The duo worked together during their time with Gateshead, MK Dons and Carlisle United - and Magnay

has revealed the long-standing relationship they have struck up personally and professionally can aid South Shields in their bid for success during Watson’s reign. He said: “When I came

back to Gateshead as a player, he (Watson) was assistant manager to Mike (Williamson) and I saw him in a whole different light as a mate to someone in a football environment. “Coming from

the background he has, which is personal training into football, coaching and now as a manager, was something completely natural to him. Article continues below “I thoroughly enjoyed working

with him as a player. I learnt a hell of a lot from him and that’s fed into the coaching and management side of it so we are taking a strong relationship off-pitch and we have built it

on-pitch as well over the years. “We are looking to work together to implement our style and hopefully get South Shields to where we think we can get to.”