The ‘Great Escape’: Gateshead FC 2025/26 Season Review

From a 16-game losing streak to the ‘Great Escape’…..Gateshead FC have endured a rollercoaster of a National League campaign.

After months spent in the league’s relegation zone, the Heed have looked solid in recent weeks, securing survival under Rob Elliot.

The Heed struggled to build any sort of momentum early on in the season, with inconsistent performances, lacking goals and defensive solidity, leaving them stuck near the bottom of the table.

Yet – the reappointment of Rob Elliot in January was when things started looking up the for the Heed.

Post-Elliot arrival, it was clear to see that Gateshead looked a much more organised side with a clearer structure in and out of possession – and this was when points started to be picked up.

The 16-game losing streak was broken with a 2-1 win away at FC Halifax Town, a win that filled players and fans full of belief again.

As the season progressed, Gateshead finally found their form again, picking up more points, showing a side that was playing with confidence.

Their survival push gained more belief, as they took vital points off York and Yeovil, two teams pushing for promotion.

Gateshead’s recent 1-0 victory over Aldershot Town secured their safety in the National League, possibly something Heed fans never expected to see.

Their late-season form has been the key for their survival, picking up points that lifted them clear of the drop zone – and showing a level of composure that was lacking at the beginning of the season.

Despite their ‘Great Escape’, it wasn’t the “perfect season”; scoring goals and keeping clean sheets has been a big issue for them, where too often they relied on late margins to get them over the line, rather than controlling the game.

If they want to push for promotion next season, they will have to improve on these areas.

With two more games to go, this will be a season the Heed will remember as “The Great Escape” and will certainly give them a platform to build on going into next season.

If they can get six points from their remaining two games, it would be the perfect conclusion to their rollercoaster of a season.