Gateshead F.C. Academy
Doing our region proud
We’ve been a proud part of Gateshead since 1930, helping promising players from our area and beyond forge a career in football. We’re now going one step further, developing an academy that will deliver for the club, for the fantastic footballing talent on our doorstep and for the communities of the North East.
To do this, we’ve partnered with experts in education and in our opinion there’s no one better than Gateshead College.
Together we’re building an academy the whole region can celebrate. One designed from the ground up to produce well-rounded, highly skilled and educated young people capable of going on to do amazing things – whether that’s in our first team, behind the scenes at the club or away from the game entirely.
Academy teams
Our academy team structure is designed for 16-19 year old boys of all abilities and combines top quality coaching and training with an excellent education.
Gateshead F.C. Academy U19s
As a top performing player you could score a place on our Gateshead F.C. Academy 19s team playing the best youth teams in the country with the opportunity to be talent spotted to the club’s first team. You’ll also study a specialist football programme designed to give you the skills, confidence and training for a long lasting career on or off the pitch. You’ll gain nationally recognised qualifications and develop the skills employers demand. You’ll also complete work placements at Gateshead F.C. giving you a real insight into all aspects of running a football club.
- Train full time at Gateshead Football Club
- Represent Gateshead Football Club in the Northern Alliance Premier league (seniors) & National League u19 Alliance
- Gain an employability qualification, a Level 2 Award in Employment and Awareness in Active Leisure and Learning
- Undertake a work experience rotation in roles related to running a successful football club, for example football administration and strength and conditioning.
Entry requirements
- Successfully pass a football trial under the eyes of the team manager.
- GCSE English and Maths a grade 9-4 (A*- C)
How to apply
To start your application to become part of the G.F.C Academy, complete the Contact Us form.
Upcoming events
Come along to one of our events to find out more about Gateshead F.C. Academy, the training and education we offer and how you can apply.
Meet the team
Our professional team of coaches and experts will ensure you’re at the top of your game, on and off the pitch.
Mark Spencer
Gateshead College Head Football Coach
Ben Clark
Academy Coach
Kane Wears
Academy Coach
Vince Hutton
Academy Coach
Neil Cooper
Academy Coach
Mark Spencer
Gateshead College Head Football Coach
Mark was appointed as Head Coach of the Gateshead Academy in October 2020. He holds the UEFA A Licence, FA Youth Award and Level 2 in Futsal. Mark is also a qualified lecturer and understands the importance of education within the sports industry.
Mark’s former roles include Academy Manager at York City FC and Academy coach at Middlesbrough FC. He was in charge of the football development programme at Newcastle College and then moved on to assist Neil Maddison in the Football Academy at Middlesbrough College.
Ben Clark
Academy Coach
Ben Clark re-joined Gateshead as academy coach in March 2020.
The defender spent six years with The Heed as a player, racking up 280 appearances and going on to captain the club in the 2014 Conference Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium.
Clark spent a brief period as the club's first-team manager from January 2019 until April 2019, guiding his side to a ninth-placed finish in the Vanarama National League before an enforced points deduction.
Clark, who has most recently worked with Newcastle United Foundation, has also taken up a role as Community Officer with Gateshead FC Foundation.
The former captain has held both academy coach and community officer roles previously, making his return a one in familiar surroundings.
Kane Wears
Academy Coach
Kane was appointed at Gateshead College in September 2020. He holds a UEFA A Licence, UEFA Elite Youth A Licence, FA Youth Award & a FA Talent ID level 2. Kane also is a qualified teacher and holds a BA Hons degree in Sports Development with Coaching, and an MSc in Psychology.
Kane currently oversee's recruitment, scouting and talent identification in the North East for EFL Championship club Preston North End and also coaches at local grassroots club Newcastle East End FC as well as North Tyneside Schools FA.
Kane started his coaching journey in 2012 and has gained much experience from coaching at grassroots clubs such as North Shields Juniors & Whitley Bay FC. Kane, a former FA Young Coach of the Year has also been the Northumberland FA Youth Team Manager, Whitley Bay FC U21 Manager, and coached in the Northern League with Ryhope Colliery Welfare & Alnwick Town FC.
Kane has also had the opportunity to travel, learn and work with some amazing coaches, players and clubs around the world, such as Borussia Dortmund, 1. FC Köln & the Polish National team. This has allowed Kane to continue his progress as a coach, teacher and educator and continue to learn and develop.
Vince Hutton
Academy Coach
Vince has been coaching at Gateshead College since 2016. He holds the UEFA A Licence and FA Advanced Youth Award.
Vince was a former Professional Footballer at Sunderland AFC and had to retire through injury. Due to his injury he naturally progressed into coaching the U16’s at the club while developing.
He became the Centre Of Excellence Director at Middlesbrough FC in 1990 which involved developing the under 16 Coach and forming the new centre of excellence programme.
Vince then spend 22 years at Newcastle United in roles such as Centre of Excellence Director, Assistant Academy Director and Lead Phase Coach, which he played a part key part in players development.
Neil Cooper
Academy Coach
Neil has been coaching at Gateshead College since 2019. He holds the UEFA B Licence, FA Youth Award and is currently studying the UEFA A licence with the Scottish FA.
He started his coaching journey in 2005 with Guide Post juniors. Neil also worked for Newcastle United in the community coaching in schools and on holiday courses. He worked with PFC coaching and this gave him the opportunity to coach in Germany.
For 4 years Neil coached at Wallsend Boys club then progressing onto Whitley Bay reserves who play in the Northern Alliance Premier League.
Neil currently works for Carlisle United’s Category 3 academy. His role is U15’s coach within the Youth Development Phase. He also is a coach at Bedlington Terriers who compete in Division 2 in the Northern League. In 2018 Neil retired from the Fire Service after 25 years’ service.
Academy success
Talented academy players are scouted to the Gateshead F.C. First team, playing the game they love on a professional level.
Tom White
Midfielder
DOB: 09/05/1997
Appearances: 30
Goals: 2
MOTM: 2
Jon Mellish
Defender
DOB: 19/09/1997
Appearances: 32
Goals: 1
MOTM: 1
Jon progressed to Carlisle United F.C. in May 2019
Elliot Forbes
Midfielder
DOB: 16/05/99
Appearances: 8
Contact us
To start your application to be part of the G.F.C. Academy, please complete the form below.
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