Gateshead Football Club are navigating a new era under first-time manager Lee Cattermole, with the team currently sitting 17th in the National League table. According to a report from Sutton United Football Club this week, the Heed have won one, drawn one, and lost two of their opening four competitive fixtures of the 2026/27 campaign.
Cattermole, the former Sunderland midfielder, signed a two-year deal at the Gateshead International Stadium in the summer. He took over from Rob Elliot, who departed for Carlisle United after a second spell in charge. Elliot, a former Newcastle United goalkeeper, had previously guided Gateshead to a play-off place and won the Isuzu FA Trophy in 2024. His final act was a remarkable rescue mission last season, pulling the team from 11 points adrift with 17 games left to secure safety with two matches to spare after a 16-game winless run.
Who is new manager Lee Cattermole?
Lee Cattermole's appointment marks his first senior managerial role. His coaching journey began at Middlesbrough, where he served as Under-18 lead coach for just over a year from January 2022. He then moved to Bristol Rovers as First Team Coach in December 2024, briefly acting as caretaker manager for four days following Matt Taylor's sacking. Cattermole left the Gas after Iñigo Calderón's appointment and even spent a few weeks coaching at Sutton United during the 2024/25 season. Now, his task is to maintain Gateshead's National League status for a fifth consecutive year.
How has the season started for Gateshead?
The early form has been mixed. A 2-0 victory over Woking provided a positive start, but it was followed by a 2-1 loss to Eastleigh and a 3-0 defeat to Yeovil Town. Their pre-season included a notable 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest and a 2-1 loss to Spennymoor Town. The team's current league standing of 20th, with three points from a record of one win, no draws, and three losses, highlights the early challenge. They have scored three goals and conceded six, leaving them with a minus-three goal difference. In the title race, they already find themselves nine points behind early leaders Sutton United.
Which new player is one to watch?
A fresh face in the squad is midfielder Luke Supyk, a New Zealand youth international who joined after a trial this summer. Supyk previously played for Wellington Phoenix, scoring 12 goals in 26 games for their reserves in the Central League and making his professional debut in the Australia Cup. He has started two of Gateshead's National League games so far, against Woking and Yeovil Town, and scored in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United. His development will be key as Cattermole shapes his side.
What comes next for Gateshead FC?
The immediate focus is on improving consistency and climbing the table. With the season still young, there is ample time to build momentum, but the early results show the competitive nature of the league. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on the club's fixtures page and view the full squad details. The challenge for Cattermole is to translate his coaching experience into results and steer Gateshead clear of the relegation battle that defined the end of last season.
