The International Stadium, Neilson Road, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE10 OEF. Click for streetmap
Tel: 0191 478 3883
History:
Formed in 1930, when financially-troubled neighbours South Shields, a
Third Division North club, moved to Gateshead’s then ground, Redheugh
Park. There have been highs and lows. The best season was reaching the
FA Cup quarter final of 1953 (beating Liverpool on the way) and losing
to eventual finalists Bolton. Gateshead joined the newly former Division
Four by the end of the '50s, but were controversially voted out of the
league, in favour of Peterborough in 1960, after applying for re-election
for only the second time (Darlo beat Gateshead twice that season). They
struggled for survival in the Northern League, losing their place and
were eventually wound up. The club was re-born as Gateshead Town, and
then found a new lease of life again with South Shields, at the Gateshead
athletics stadium (from 1971). This was another short-lived existence
before the club after 1977 was re-born, yet again. This time they enjoyed
some success, the new club winning thje 1977-8 Northern League title with
a record 100 points and 114 goals. There was some to-ing and fro-ing between
the Northern League (two titles) and the Conference in the 1980s. Under their previous owner, local tycoon Graham Wood, the club enjoyed a rise
to National League level again - Darlo last played them in 2011 - and planned for
their own purpose-built, sensibly-sized stadium. That was shelved although another stadium plan has since been revived. Despite a fairly encouraging season and FA Trophy run, Gateshead were demoted last season for financial irregularities.
Record Attendance: 20,752 v Lincoln City (1937, at old ground);
11,750 v Newcastle Utd (1995), 8,144 v Grimsby (2014)
Capacity: 11,850
Last Season: 17th (National League, demoted)
Honours: Division 3 North runners up: 1931/32, 1949/50; Northern
Premier League champions: 1982/83, 1985/86; Unibond League Premier play-off
winners: 2007/08 Blue Square Conference North play-off winners: 2008/09
Record victory: 8-0, v South Liverpool (1978) and Netherfield
(1982)
Defeat: 0-9 v Sutton United (1990)
Nickname: The Tynesiders, The Heed
Colours: White and Black
Manager: Mike Williamson
Chairman: Neil Pinkerton
Famous fans/players/connections: Gary Gill and Jim Platt (managers,
ex-Darlo), Paul Heckingbottom, Craig Nelthorpe (players, ex-Darlo)
Expect
to be allocated the East Terrace opposite the Tyne and Wear stand in the
Gateshead International Stadium.
Ticket prices: Adult: £15, over 60's & students: £8,
under 16's: £2, under 12s free with a paying adult - the prices have barely changed since we last played them nine years ago!
From
the North: (Darlington 35 miles) Travelling up on the A1, turn off at
the junction with the A194 just north of the Washington services. Follow
the A194 until the roundabout junction with the A184, turn left onto this
road. The International Stadium is on the right after three miles.
Parking: Available at the stadium.
Darlington
FC Supporters' Club Gateshead Central 0191 469 9999
Coach £tbc Contact:
01325 243911 Payment for each coach trip must be either paid for in
full before travel, or a 50% non-refundable deposit paid in advance. Anyone
wishing to travel on the coaches must join before the day of travel.
G&D Taxis 0191 4231111
Team Valley 0191 487 9999
From Newcastle Central station, take the Metro (South Shields line) two stops to Gateshead Stadium (£1.90 return) and it's a short walk to the ground. Otherwise, the nearest railway station is Heworth, just over a mile away (turn and walk along the Sunderland Road, connected by the Metro too and bus 27), while Newcastle Central is only a mile and a half from the ground. The Nos 53 buses run from Newcastle (Monument) to Gateshead.
It's
best really to drink in central Newcastle and head for the Metro.
Best to avoid the bar in the Tyne & Wear Stand at the ground but if you
insist on drinking locally try The Schooner, South Shore Rd NE8
3AF a five-minute walk from the stadium on the banks of the Tyne
The Borough Arms, 82 Bensham Road, NE8 1PS
Next to Windmill Hills Park, this is a small real ale haven, with a fondness
for micro breweries, a coal fire and does snacks. A little way from the
stadium but worth a post-Christmas snifter here.
Click for Streetmap
Central Hotel, Half Moon Lane, Gateshead, NE8 2AN
Newcastle pubs:
Crown
Posada, 31 The Side, Newcastle, NE1 3JE The
Newcastle Arms, 57 St Andrews Street, NE1 5SE
The Mean Eyed Cat, 1 St Thomas Street
The Free Trade Inn, St Lawrence Road, NE6 1AP
Others worth a try, which are easy to reach from the station or Metro,
are the Newcastle Tap (just opposite the central station entrance) The Bodega, 125 Westgate Road, NE1 4AG
and the Bridge Hotel, Castle Square, NE1 1RQ. This Newcastle real ale blog has more suggestions.
This is owned by the Head Of
Steam real ale chain, sympathetically refurbished to its mid-Victorian
glory and fully re-opened in September close to the Quayside and easily
reached over the Tyne. It has several real ales on. DAFTS recommended.
On a road that weaves down to the Quayside from the centre of town. Ted
says that in his time there in the 80s, this Victorian Grade II listed
pub served Taylors Landlord and toasted curry sandwiches (albeit with
sultanas in the curry!). Today the toasties are no longer on offer but
the beer is still good and the food is now stotties with basic fillings.
The wide beer choice on a last visit included a local Wylam ale, Mordue
Workie Ticket, Black Sheep, Jarrow plus a couple from Hadrian and Border
- Gladiator Bitter and the curiously named Are You Listening Gordon Heal?
This is a friendly pub with a large real ale range, with usually a dozen
beers to choose from. Popular with CAMRA members. The pub doesn't serve
food, but you're welcome to bring your own. It's close to St James' Park
in the city centre, so can get busy when Toon are at home. 
If spending some time in the city, this is a small chalet-like craft ale microbar in the heart of the city centre, with more than a dozen beers to choose from. A short walk from the Haymarket Metro and over the road from the bus station.
This is a cracking pub which overlooks the quayside. Great beer choice. It's about half an hour's walk the other side of the Tyne from the stadium. Open 11am.
There is a refreshment kiosk in the ground, where the burgers are recommended.
The official
website is really simply and elegantly designed, with all you really need. The fans site comes in the form of Heed Army
Gateshead pub guide Proving there are a lot to choose from!
Visit Newcastle and Gateshead has details of accommodation and local attractions, both sides of the Tyne, including the Baltic arts centre, Sage and Angel Of The North