Gateshead seem to be on the search for another striker to bolster the attacking options for Ian bogie to use. We need a better calibre of attacker than is availble locally from the likes of the Northern League. But where do you look, where do you start???
One name that pops up from time to time is Richard Brodie, York City’s Gateshead born striker.
Richard became a target for GFC last season, but just as Bogie made his move to tempt Brodie back to Tyneside, he hit form and held down a regular place in the Minstermen’s starting line up.
Ian Bogie went back in for Brodie in the summer, but Brodie is still very much part of York City’s First team, who know maybe in the next few months or maybe seasons Brodie will become part of the Heed’s strike force.
Another option could be a player who has worn the Heed shirt before, Paul Connor. Bishop Auckland born Connor is a powerful striker who played a hand full of games for us during the 97/98 season whilst on loan from Middlesbrough. One memorable appearance saw him pretty much single handedly win the opening day game of that fateful Conference season.
Since then Paul has gone on to play for Swansea City and Rochdale to name just two, he currently plays for Cheltenham Town in Football League One. Recently becoming more of a squad player than an automatic starter, who knows in a year or so he may become available.
Yet another name to throw in the pot would be Newcastle born Guy Bates. A product of the Newcastle United youth system who went onto appear for Darlington before making the move over to Ireland, playing for Drogheda United.
Bates hit the winning goal for Drogheda as they captured the Irish title for the first time. This season has seen him drop out of the picture, featuring more often from the bench than starting. The Irish season comes to an end soon (Summer based league), so who knows he may be looking for pastures new.
So what's the point in this article? Coming by quality strikers in this area isn't the easiest of tasks. Most of the reserve/ex-league players we pick up are either midfielders or defenders, and the strikers that are available around here in the whole are either not up to it or they're short arses. Stepping up to this level and wanting to compete means having to find a higher calibre of player so this article is the first in a series of looking to target players we feel are possibly up to the required standard.
