ALUN'S SET FOR HEED CHALLENGE

ALUN Armstrong says he is up for the fight of leading troubled Gateshead away from a challenging start to their summer.

- By Mark Carruthers

Since missing out on a National League play-off spot on the final day of last season and seeing a prolonged takeover bid fall through, the Heed have been hit by a number of key departures.

The likes of chairman Neil Pinkerton, club captain Greg Olley, head of recruitment Luke Clark and manager Carl Magnay have all left the International Stadium over the last month and a hasty rebuild is now underway.

New chief Bernard McWilliams stepped in and swiftly oversaw the first managerial appointment of his reign as former Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough striker Armstrong was named as Magnay’s successor.

And Armstrong, the former Blyth Spartans and Darlington boss, has quickly set out his aims for the challenges that lie ahead.