Gateshead miss September wage payments as search for investment continues

Gateshead have failed to pay September wages to players and staff, BBC Sport reported on Thursday, as the National League club searches for fresh investment. The missed payments follow director Mark Nellist's resignation and decision to withdraw his financial support earlier this week.

Interim chairman Graham Wood said efforts to secure replacement funding had made progress over the previous 24 hours. He expressed hope that an announcement could follow within a day or so, but did not announce a completed investment agreement or a date for settling the unpaid wages.

Wood also said Nellist had agreed to make his shares available for a nominal sum to assist that process. Nellist had explained his departure by saying he was unhappy with the direction in which the club was moving.

The importance of Nellist's backing had been made explicit months earlier. In a statement published by Gateshead on 27 May, departing manager Rob Elliot credited his continuing investment with enabling the club to survive and compete at that level. Elliot's comments came as the club explained why it had been unable to reach agreement with him over its future plans.

That May update said differences concerned budgets and immediate infrastructure, with Gateshead warning that meeting the proposed terms would worsen its financial position. Elliot said plans for a training ground and staffing had been central to his return, but the club could not commit to those improvements.

There was a further leadership change in June. Gateshead announced on 8 June that chairman Bernard McWilliams was stepping down because of ill health. The club said former owner and chairman Wood had agreed to return in an interim capacity, with that appointment at the time subject to approval from the Independent Football Regulator.

The latest financial setback comes with Lee Cattermole's team bottom of the National League. According to BBC Sport, Gateshead have lost five consecutive matches, conceding 16 goals and scoring once. Their next scheduled fixture is at home to Worthing on Saturday.