The club’s crest depicts The Angel of the North, designed by Antony Gormley, which has stood on the outskirts of Gateshead since 1998.

The current incarnation of Gateshead FC was founded in 1977. After a few years in the Northern Premier League, in 1982/83 they topped the league with  a then record points tally of 100, scoring 114 goals as they did so. They were promoted to the Alliance Premier League (effectively the predecessor of today’s National League), but only managed to stay at this level for two seasons before being relegated back to the sixth tier. In subsequent years, they bounced about between the fifth, sixth and seventh tiers of English football. Their current spell in the fifth tier dates back to 2022/23. In that year, the team also reached the FA Trophy final, played at Wembley Stadium, when they were defeated by FC Halifax Town.  However, one year later, they went one step further, to be crowned FA Trophy Champions, beating Solihull Moors on penalties.  The history of the Gateshead team goes back much further than 1977. In 1930, a team in South Shields moved along the Tyne Estuary and renamed itself after its new home in Gateshead. This Gateshead team assumed the place of South Shields in Division Three (North); they were relegated to Division Four upon its foundation in 1958, and were not re-elected to the Football League two years later. The club continued playing at lower levels until it closed down in 1973. It should be noted that the present-day South Shields team. which Rovers met in the FA Cup in 2022/23 and who are currently flying high in the National League North, also trace their origins to the previous South Shields team. To add the confusion, another team called South Shields, then playing in the Northern Premier League, moved up-river in the 1970s and renamed themselves Gateshead Utd. This team folded in 1977 and was replaced in the same league by the new Gateshead FC.

Lee Cattermole arrived at Gateshead in June to take on his first managerial role, having previously served as First Team Coach at Bristol Rovers and Under-18s Lead Coach at Middlesbrough. As a player, Cattermole spent most of his time bossing the midfield in the north-east, spending 10 years and making over 230 appearances for Sunderland, as well as spending three seasons at Middlesbrough. He also played for Wigan Athletic and Dutch team Venlose Voetbal Vereniging and had a reputation for being something of a tough-tackler. Cattermole also played in various England youth teams, notably obtaining 16 caps for the Under-21 team, for whom he scored three goals.

Gateshead have experienced some challenges in recent years. In 2018/19, despite finishing in a healthy ninth place in the National League, they were relegated to the National League North in association with financial irregularities. In 2023/24, when Gateshead finished sixth in the National League, they were excluded from the promotion play-offs because the terms of their lease over the Gateshead International Stadium did not meet EFL requirements. Having spent almost all of the 2024/25 season within the play-off places (and the stadium lease amended to allow them to challenge for promotion), they fell away towards the end of the season, finishing eighth, just outside that coveted zone. 2025/26 was a much less happy season for the team, which spent about one-third of the season in the relegation places, finishing 18th overall, with 50 points and 14 wins. The club have also experienced some managerial turbulence over the past year. In January 2026 Rob Elliot returned to then bottom-placed Gateshead (having previously led them to win the  FA Trophy in 2024), with the explicit mission to save them from relegation. Having done this, he left the club at the end of the season and was soon snapped up by rivals Carlisle Utd. 

Lee Cattermole, in his first managerial appointment, became the new gaffer in mid-June. There were quite a few comings and goings of players over the summer – including a trio who followed Elliot to Carlisle. Newcomers include left-winger Michael Spellman from Newport County, centre-back Kyle Ferguson from Yeovil Town, centre-back Alex Lankshear from Boston Utd and centre-forward Luke Supyk from Wellington, New Zealand. Centre-forward Levi Amantchi has come in on loan from Kidderminster Harriers.  As to whether these changes will be sufficient….we’ll see.

On the basis of the first month of the new season, Gateshead are struggling again, and are currently sitting in the relegation places. One win (over Woking), one draw (against basement-bottom Solihull Moors) and four losses.

Last year’s home game against the Heed, played in November, ended as a 3-1 victory for Rovers, a result that left FGR top of the National League table – in fact the final time in the season that was the case. Jayden Clarke, Jili Buyabu and Temi Babalola all hit the back of the net, and the result was never in doubt, with Rovers clearly the dominant team throughout. The reverse fixture, held in the north-east at the end of February, was a 2-0 victory for Rovers, with the goals thanks to Chibby Nwoko and Tom Knowles.

Forest Green Rovers F.C. – The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL6 0FG

Parking is available in the adjacent school car park, just a short walk from the stadium. Spaces cost £15 per car and must be booked in advance by calling 0333 123 1889 (Monday, Thursday and Friday at 11am to 2pm) or by emailing reception@fgr.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can use the Park and Ride service from Renishaw (Bath Road, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL5 5EY). It opens at 12:30pm on matchdays and costs £5 per car (card only).

If parking on surrounding streets, please be considerate of local residents.

Rovers Raffle – organised by the Supporters Club to subsidise away travel, ground improvements, Academy teams etc. Tickets cost £1 each (cash or card accepted) with winners announced at half time or check winning numbers here – Raffle Results – Forest Green Rovers Supporters Club

Fan Zone – Fan Zone to the right of the ground entrance, behind the North Stand. Open to home & away supporters. The Fan Zone has a food truck, bar, toilets and a large marquee with picnic benches and live music from about 1:30pm.

The Green Man  – Normally home fans only,  serves food and drink. Opens 12pm.

Gym Bar – Open in the East Stand, and open to other home supporters after the match.

Club Shop – Opens 12pm. TNL is a cashless stadium. To find out about hospitality and events, please email hospitality@fgr.co.uk.