Stuart joined the club in the May of 2021 following the departure of Pete Band to Macclesfield FC. His experience in previously winning the NPL at step 4 was instrumental in keeping GNE in the Northern Premier League in his first season in charge. Sadly, through various circumstances & events, and after a difficult second season, GNE fell into the trap door of the FA inter-step play off , despite winning more games than the year before, and in any other season, would’ve been enough to stay in the league.

Stuart has had to deal with many challenges and has given his all to the club during his spell as manager. Everybody at the club would like thank him for his services and efforts during an extremely difficult time. We hope that supporters will continue to back the players and staff during what is a very difficult period for the Club.

Stuart himself said, ‘’The play off last Saturday was a disappointing end to a very difficult season for various reasons. Injuries have really hampered our season’s progression. None more so than Saturday’s playoff game. Maguire, Gillam, Nock, Freedman, Jeanne, all out with injury, Jacques on the bench with flu, we went into the game with only 1 fit substitute, that being 17 year old Teddy Lavelle. That said, I have no complaints about the result, Ashington were worthy winners on the day. A side coming into the game with 25 wins under their belt this season, full of confidence, and vastly experienced. While we were severely weakened with the lack of first team regulars, the players that did play, unfortunately didn’t produce a performance like we know they can, and I felt that a couple of the younger players let the pressure of the game get the better of them’’.

‘’On a positive note, this season we reached the semi final of the county cup for the first time in years, and I managed to introduce youth players into the first team set up. Overall, we have played 38 games this season, and haven’t been beaten in 50% of those games, indeed, winning more games than last season. Myself, the management team, and the players really showed the courage, character, and desire to face a really difficult last month of the season, with our backs against the wall. We came out of that with 3 great wins out of the last 6, that being Newcastle Town, Kidsgrove, and Bootle, where we came back from 1-0 down to take us into this farcical play off situation. In my view, as the evidence suggests, the play off games were weighted heavily in the favour of the teams who went into those games with absolutely nothing to lose, with the step 4 sides having the threat of relegation hanging over their heads, and it is no surprise that 80% of the step 5 teams got promoted’’.

‘’Personally, I have always been vocal in relation to the financial restraints at the football club, and trying to keep GNE at step 4 with a budget that sits around the top 7 in step 5, this was always going to be very challenging and difficult. That said, I’m sure that GNE will go onto win more games than they lose at step 5, but unless the financial challenges can be improved, instant promotion back to step 4, in my view, will be a very difficult challenge. Finally, I just want to say a big thankyou to the players, who have given everything throughout my time as manager, coupled with the invaluable contribution from goalkeeping coach, Ollie Wright, and first team coach / assistant manager, James Stokes. Last but not least, for all the vocal, enthusiastic GNE fans, I wish nothing more than your club to be as successful as it can be, The gaffer''.

The club are now inviting applications in writing for the job of first team manager. Interested applicants should apply in writing with CV & cover letter via email to Football Secretary, Dan Bates d.bates084@gmail.com. The deadline for applications is midnight on this coming Sunday 7th May.