Heed Boss Can Get By With A Little Help From His Friends

Mike Williamson says he will use all his contacts possible as he makes his first strides into a management career.

The new Gateshead boss is gearing up for the new National League North season and is in need of new recruits.

A former Premier League defender, Williamson will have no shortage of contacts to lean on if he needs help.

And in an interview with Chronicle Live, he joked about a possible move for a former Magpies teammate.

"He's next on my call list - I'll be making contact," he said, speaking about free-agent Hatem Ben Arfa.

"I've got a lot of previous managers and a lot of contacts to lean on and take advice from so I'm very fortunate in that respect so I'll be using them.

"I've spoken to quite a few people. Shola [Ameobi] I'm quite close to, and Rob Elliot.

I've spoken to a lot of staff behind the scenes who I have good relationships with so I'll be exhausting all avenues to try and get the best out of them."

The 35-year-old has already added Alex Nicholson and Connor Oliver to the Heed's ranks.

JJ O'Donnell, Elliot Forbes and Connor Thomson have also returned to the club for the new campaign.

Where next?

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