Gateshead launch professional era

Blue Square Bet Premier side Gateshead have launched their first full-time professional squad for half a century.

The club lost their Football League status in 1960 and the first team squad subsequently became part time.

But they have turned full time again, launching the professional era at their first pre-season training session.

Boss Ian Bogie told BBC Newcastle: "This season we'll train every day, prepare for games better. The lads will be physically and mentally brighter."

He added: "The transition and change [at the club] over the past couple of years has been immense.

"It's 50 years now since Gateshead have been a professional outfit. We're back now and we're pushing on. We're looking forward to a really healthy campaign.

"We're very excited about the players we've got in at the club now. We've got some good talent there."

So far Gateshead have made eight new signings including winger Craig Nelthorpe from York City and former Sunderland defender Ben Clark.

The club have nine pre-season fixtures lined up, including matches against a Middlesbrough XI (8 July), a Sunderland XI (27 July) and a Newcastle United XI (30 July). They kick off their league campaign on 14 August.