Gateshead to remain part-time club

The champagne has hardly gone flat on two succesive promotions, but Blue Square Premier League new boys Gateshead are keeping their feet firmly on the ground. The Tynesiders, who are ambitious to bring League football back to the town after they were dumped out of the Fourth Division in 1960, have confirmed that they will remain a part-time club next season. Gateshead are keen to avoid the crippling financial problems that have plagued a number of clubs in the current economic climate and boss Ian Bogie says that next season's budget will be sensible and the club will not be held to ransom by unreasonable wage demands. Top scorer Lee Novak has now completed his move to Huddersfield Town and veteran goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite has retired from the game.