Our pre-season friendly at home to Sunderland will now be played at Hebburn Sports Ground due to issues with the playing surface at Gateshead International Stadium.
Chairman, Bernard McWilliams, said: “For the past few weeks I have been in daily conversation with the stadium’s management over concerns of the condition of the newly laid pitch.
“It got to the stage yesterday that I felt I had a duty to Sunderland AFC to ask them to come and look at the areas of concern.
“Following a site visit yesterday with the Head Groundsman, it was agreed that there would be safety issues if the game went ahead on Saturday.
“Following this meeting, I have been in discussions with Hebburn Town FC over the possibility of switch to their ground, as fortunately they do not have a game on Saturday.
“As the game was in doubt I also took the decision to take tickets off sale in case we could not find an alternative.
“Agreement has now been reached with Sunderland AFC to stage the game at Hebburn Sports Ground and we are pleased to get the game back on sale.”
The fixture has now been made all-ticket at a reduced capacity, and there will be no tickets available on the turnstiles. Gates will open from 11am with kick off remaining at 12:30pm.
Tickets are only available to purchase online here, with prices remaining at:
Adult (18-64): £20
Concessions (17 & 65+, Disabled, Blue Light, Military & Students): £15
Children (16 and under): £5
Tickets already purchased for the original fixture at Gateshead International Stadium will also be valid at Hebburn Sports Ground. Any supporters who wish to request a refund on their match ticket must contact us via email at tickets@gateshead-fc.com quoting their order details – please note that refunds must be requested by 11:49pm on Friday, July 11.
All supporters who purchased parking tickets via our online ticketing platform will be automatically refunded.
Access to Hebburn Sports Ground will be via the turnstiles on Victoria Road West and North Drive. As there is no parking available on site, supporters are advised to use public transport.
As no alcohol can be consumed within view of the pitch, we are working with Hebburn Town FC to screen their bar area as well as provide an additional bar at the south end of the ground situated behind their new fence line.
Gateshead FC would like to thank Hebburn Town FC for their assistance in allowing us to stage the fixture at Hebburn Sports Ground, as well as Sunderland AFC and all supporters for their understanding.
An update on our upcoming home fixture against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday, July 15 will be provided as soon as possible.
