Ex-Newcastle United midfielder Matty Pattison leaves role as Whickham manager

The 33-year-old took charge of his final Lang Jacks game on Saturday as his side battled their way to a goalless draw against West Auckland Town.

Pattison will be a familiar face at the International Stadium after he made 54 appearances for the Heed after joining the club in October 2014.

The former South African international left Gateshead at the end of the 2015/16 season and went on to have spells with Blyth Spartans and South Shields before moving into the Northern League with Whickham in September 2018.

Pattison stepped in the dugout when he was named as successor to former Lang Jacks manager Robin Falcus earlier this season and he will now leave the Glebe Sports Ground with Whickham sat at the bottom of the Division One table after they won just one of his ten games in charge.

Pattison already works as a coach for Gateshead’s academy side and he will also help the club in their quest to make an immediate return to the National League once his appointment on to Mike Williamson’s backroom staff is confirmed.

Pattison told the Whickham website: “I’d like to thank everyone at the club for everything that they’ve done, and I wish them all the best for the future.

“Hopefully the result today is one they can build on because the squad is capable of doing just that.

“I’ve loved my time at the club, and I didn’t think I’d come in and meet so many good people and enjoy my time as much as I did.

“All the very best to the club for the future and I’ll always keep an eye on the results.”

Former Sunderland winger John Oster has left his role as assistant manager.

Director of Football, Neil Wilson, added: “On behalf of everyone at Whickham Football Club, we’d like to thank Matty and John for everything that they’ve done for us both on and off the field.”