New Heed manager full of praise for bosses

GATESHEAD manager Alun Armstrong has praised the Heed hierarchy after their prolonged efforts to get a FIFA registration ban lifted came to a successful end on Monday.

- By MARK CARRUTHERS

The National League club were subject to a ban that prevented them from registering any new signings ahead of the new season after they were disciplined for an issue with the signing of former defender Harrison Clark during the summer of 2023.

New chairman Bernard McWilliams has led communication with world football's governing body, the Football Association and the National League - and his efforts paid off as Monday brought confirmation the embargo was no longer in place.

That has allowed Gateshead to register new signings David Ferguson and Callum Johnson and both players featured in Tuesday night's 4-0 win in a preseason friendly with Northern Premier League neighbours Hebburn Town.

Kenton Richardson marked his first game as club captain with the opening goal of the game before striker Frank Nouble doubled the lead before halftime with his first goal for the Heed.

Substitute Max Sheaf also got off the mark in a Gateshead shirt after academy product Lucas Lowery celebrated signing his first professional contract by grabbing the third goal of the night.