On Sunday 21 May, Gateshead and FC Halifax Town will make history as they face each other in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium. This is the first time in the 54-year history of the FA Trophy that two ‘phoenix’ clubs have reached the final. Gateshead’s journey to the final has been a remarkable testament to their resilience, having been born out of the demise of Gateshead United in 1977. The club faced another existential crisis when it was relegated for financial irregularities in 2019, but managed to secure promotion back to the National League last season. Despite having loan players unavailable for Trophy matches, and player-manager Mike Williamson injured for the final, Gateshead have made it to Wembley. They will be joined by 6,000 FC Halifax Town supporters, who are no strangers to the FA Trophy having won it in 2016. Manager Chris Millington has warned against underestimating Gateshead, as they have scored 18 goals more than Halifax in the league this season and only finished two points behind them. Sunday’s game promises to be an emotional reminder that there really is life after football death.
