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Gateshead Football Club will not be permitted by the National League to participate in this season’s Play-Offs as the terms of the Club’s occupation at the Gateshead International Stadium, owned by the Borough Council of Gateshead, does not meet the relevant qualifying criteria to enable the Club to become a Member of the EFL.
All other Clubs permitted to play in the National League play-offs adhered to the requirements as set out in EFL Regulations.
Despite the League working with Gateshead throughout last season and again in recent months, the Club has been unable to attain security of tenure to play matches at its Stadium for a minimum of 10 seasons.
All National League Clubs are required to apply annually to the EFL should they wish to be eligible for promotion, which Gateshead did alongside other Clubs by the 30 November deadline. Working with the EFL, Clubs then had until 1 March to ensure that all the relevant criteria of EFL Regulations were met.
As Gateshead failed to meet the security of tenure requirement, the EFL rejected its application. The Club appealed the League’s decision claiming that it was irrational or unreasonable, but that appeal has now been rejected after consideration by an independent Arbitrator.
As the EFL strongly believes in the principles of promotion and relegation it is therefore highly disappointing that appropriate solutions have not been put in place over the previous two-year period, as avoidable circumstances are preventing Gateshead from progressing up the pyramid even if the Club achieves success through sporting merit.
The League hopes that Gateshead and the relevant stakeholders can address this matter so that the Club can meet the obligations of EFL membership and be eligible for promotion in future seasons
