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Clare out as Gateshead go pro
Date: Saturday 3rd July 2010
Thursday the 1st of July saw Gateshead FC enter into a brave new World as a full-time professional football club. However the Tynesiders had to begin this era without last-seasons top scorer Daryl Clare. Wednesday evening saw Clare move to Cambridge United in a two year deal for £10,000.
Ten thousand pounds for a striker of his age is good business by Gateshead, however a percentage of the Clare fee is expected to go to Mansfield Town due to a sell on clause. Clare had opted to join Gateshead from Mansfield (where he was training full-time) so he could become a part-time player, with Gateshead only operating a full-time squad this season, and Clare being based in Lincolnshire something had to give and with Cambridge able to offer him part-time training a transfer was inevitable.
Brought in to fire us to safety he did just that, but the second half of the season saw him off the boil for a period until the final two or three matches of the season. Whether this was a result of the drop to part-time training, or a loss of form is now irrelevant. Daryl will be remembered fondly by most Heed fans for scoring the crucial winning goal against AFC Wimbledon on the final day to ensure our safety. His transfer to Cambridge sees him leave with a record of 15 goals (13 league, 2 FA Trophy) in 34 appearances for Gateshead. Good luck at Cambridge Daryl, and thanks for the goals last season!
Full-Time Pros
Full-time training came to the International Stadium, with the local press in attendence to record the moment. Gateshead featured on BBC Look North, ITV Tyne Tees Tonight and BBC Radio Newcastle as the players were put through early fitness training carried out by the sport scientists of Northumbria University (Photos on the Official Website).
Backed by the Gateshead board of Directors, Manager Ian Bogie has moved quickly in pre-season to put the majority of the squad in-place for the beginning of pre-season. Eighteen of the current nineteen man squad were present on Thursday, with Northern League top-scorer Nathan Fisher still away on holiday. Also present were two trialists, goalkeeper Josh Mimms and defender Shaun Kelly.
Notably missing from trainning was new Assistant Manager Adam Sadler, who the Chronicle reports was in Manchester talking to a potential new signing with Bogie looking to add four or five players to the squad before the season begins. Top of the agenda is another keeper to push Paul Farman, however it wont be target Jonny Brain who unfortunately has signed for Walsall.
The new Blue Square Bet Conference Premier League fixtures were also released on a busy Thurdsay. Gateshead open the season on Saturday 14th August at Home to Kettering Town, then travel to Barrow the following Tuesday night (Tues 17th August). August will be ended with a trip on Saturday 28th to new local rivals Darlington. Other fixtures for your diary see us have some exciting matches over the Christmas/New Year period. Boxing Day (Sun 26th Dec) away at York City, Tues 28th Dec at Home to Darlington and New Years Day (Sat 1st Jan) at Home to York City.
Don't forget to back our clubs ambition through doing your bit by buying a season ticket. The club have now added a new fantastic offer for the fans, if you buy your ticket now you'll also get FREE ENTRY to all of Gateshead Thunders remaining home matches of their season - Click here to read more on this and buy your Season Ticket Online...