Gateshead FC players and staff have not been paid their September wages on time, plunging the National League club into crisis. The Tynesiders currently sit bottom of the National League, with Lee Cattermole's side taking just four points from their opening 11 league fixtures.
The missed payment comes just days after key backer and director Mark Nellist resigned and raised concerns about the direction of his hometown club, prompting serious questions about the Heed's funding going forward. Players and staff are normally paid their monthly wages on the last working day of the month, but Chronicle Live understands they were not paid on time.
No communication from hierarchy
As of late last night, there had been no communication from the club's hierarchy to the players informing them that their September pay packet would not arrive on time. When asked about wages going unpaid, Gateshead FC released a statement to Chronicle Live, which read: "Following Mark Nellist's sudden decision to withdraw his funding support for the Club we have been fully focused on seeking new investment.
"Significant progress has been made in the past 24 hours and we are hopeful of making an announcement in the next day or so. Meanwhile, to facilitate our efforts, Mark has agreed to make his shares available for a nominal sum."
Supporters raise concerns
It is the latest twist in an already tumultuous season, with supporters raising their concerns about the club's direction of travel in recent months. Some players have been forced to train away from the main group in a 'bomb squad' and removed from first-team group chats, before some of those players were reintegrated into the matchday squad for the recent defeat to Altrincham.
Gateshead Soul Supporters Group held a meeting with chairman Graham Wood to raise their concerns and said it was a 'constructive meeting'. However, they were taken aback by the news of Nellist's departure just a few hours later, following a damning exit statement.
Nellist's resignation statement
Nellist said the club was no longer 'heading in the direction that he would have liked or hoped for', in a statement issued by Gateshead on Tuesday afternoon, and confirmed that was the key factor in his decision to step away from his role. He said: "It is with great sadness that I confirm my resignation as a Director of Gateshead Football Club. Having dedicated a significant amount of time, commitment and personal financial support to the club over the years, this is not a decision I have taken lightly.
"I have always wanted to see Gateshead Football Club succeed, develop and move forward in a positive and sustainable direction, and I have been proud to play my part in supporting the club throughout that journey. Unfortunately, I no longer feel that the club is heading in the direction that I would have liked or hoped for, and I therefore feel that the time is right for me to step away from my position as a director."
Nellist expressed his 'genuine sadness' regarding his exit - but extended his best wishes to the club for 'every success for the future' as they now enter a period of major uncertainty. He continued: "I leave with genuine sadness, but also with the knowledge that I have given the club my full commitment and support, both personally and financially, throughout my time involved. I would like to thank everyone who has supported the club and worked alongside me during my time as a Director, and I sincerely wish Gateshead Football Club, its players, staff, supporters and everyone connected with the club every success for the future. I wish the club all the very best for the future."
Gateshead supporters will naturally be fearing the worst after they came close to going out of business back in 2019 and the crisis-hit club has genuine fears over its future.
