The Only Way Is Up!

Printed in 'The Tynesider' Gateshead FC programme in February 2009. The only way was up as promotion was achieved at the end of that season.


Anyone over a certain age, may well remember the song ‘The Only Way is Up’ which was a big number one hit single in the summer of 1988. This chart topper was performed by Yazz, a big six foot lass, who looked more like a towering Dutch centre half than a pop princess.

I really detest this song - why you ask? Well it’s all down to one of my best mates - Jimmy, when he married his childhood sweetheart Sharon, they played this song THIRTEEN times at his wedding night disco.

Since then every time I hear it makes me cringe, we have Century FM piped through my office of work, meaning I have the misfortune to hear it nearly every day, when that memorable September night in Dunston was enough to last a lifetime.

Anyway.. I digress, what has this to do with Gateshead FC ? Well, if there’s any song which best describes the feeling, mood and the overall optimism amongst us supporters and all those connected with the club, then this is it, as UP! - is the only direction the club are heading. (or should that be heeding)

The progress the club have made over the last few years is nothing short of remarkable, it’s hard to believe it was only four seasons ago when the club nearly went out of business, then a more likely theme tune would have been ‘Road to Nowhere’ or ‘From Despair To Where’ by the Manic Street Cleaners!

The rise and development of the club from those dark days is of course due to the business expertise of Graham Wood and the coaching skills of Ian Bogie, I believe there’s two major factors that go hand in hand for any club to be successful.

Primarily the business side has to be on a strong footing, the board are very ambitious with the clubs best interests at heart (the complete opposite of what’s happening at a bigger club nearby) Nowadays the club is more professional, running more like a Football League club, than a team that‘s just came up through the Unibond.

On the commercial side, match sponsorship was fully booked before a ball was kicked, when only a few seasons back, we even struggled the get someone to sponsor the match ball.
Secondly, team spirit, there seems to be great togetherness and camaraderie amongst the lads (we all saw those xmas fancy dress pictures on Facebook) If players get along off the field, then in turn, this reflects on the field.

However the most admirable aspect of the current side isn’t just their style of football, but the ethic of the side. There’s no negative play, no sly or dirty tactics, we’ve only had one player sent off this season, Craig Nelthorpe in the home league game against Harrogate Town, and we all know what an injustice that incident was.

Ian and Jeff have the team playing in the right manner, so if we can maintain the good run of form and not ‘bottle it’ then we should remain in the promotion shake up come April, but what of the other main contenders at the top of the Blue Sq North.

Through my website ‘The 100 Football Grounds Club’ I have contact with supporters at different clubs, amongst those, are fans at our rival teams challenging at the top. The feedback I’ve received from Southport is, and I quote “ We’re at the top of the league, but we don’t know how, because we’re not that good” and the message I’ve received from my friends at Tamworth isn’t printable for this publication, let’s just say they aren’t happy with certain individuals at their club and not as confident as their clubs league position suggests.

I see AFC Telford as the main threat, as far as non-league football is concerned they are a big club, one of the biggest clubs in this league, due to their fantastic stadium (I bet wors will be better!) and good support, which is mainly due to the fact that there’s not any major clubs in Shropshire, not unless you count Shrewsbury Town!

Stalybridge Celtic and Harrogate Town are the other team jostling in the play-off slots, one club we are yet to face, while the other we’ve already played twice. Both games against Harrogate ended in defeat, one of those being in the FA Trophy, while the meeting on the last August Bank Holiday, could have been a different outcome, if it wasn’t for the aforementioned red card incident.

I did see Harrogate crash out of the FA Trophy at Durham City recently (thanks to goals by ex-Heed players) and I wasn’t too impressed by them, so the overall picture shows we don’t have too much to fear, especially with the promise of a few new faces to bolster the squad.

My pre-season hopes in the Blue Sq North this season was by the time Jack Frost had left us and the daffodils began springing up, that our season was still alive. As we approach the squeaky bum part of season, the signs look so good that come late April or early May, MC Dean may be playing ‘We Are The Champions’ or Simply The Best’ at the end of the season, he can spin that awful Yazz song if he likes, I won’t mind too much, if this means that promotion has been achieved for a second consecutive season