Bedlington Terriers have swooped to sign former Gateshead duo Kris Gate and Craig Baxter as the 2012/13 EBAC Northern League season draws near. These latest two singings add to a fruitful summer for the Welfare Park occupants, as they look to make the push forward on all fronts this season.
Kris Gate, 27, is a graduate of the Newcastle United academy, leaving the club in 2007. Gateshead FC picked up the youngster on a free transfer and he became an important part of the first team squad that earned back to back promotions from the Northern Premier League in 2007/8 and the Blue Square North Division in 2008/9.
In five seasons with Gateshead, Gate amassed 213 appearances in all competitions scoring 24 goals from midfield. Last season he played in 42 games as Vice-Captain and scored 8 goals, but was not offered a new deal.
Craig Baxter, 25, followed a similar path to Gate, going through the Newcastle United youth system before signing for Gateshead in 2006. Baxter was a first team regular for all six seasons at the club, including three in the Blue Square Premier Division.
In total Baxter played 255 times for Gateshead FC, scoring 9 goals from his defensive role, but was also not offered a new deal.
The pair has played over 400 times for Gateshead, and these signings show the intent of Bedlington to push forward this Northern League season.
Chairman Ronan Liddane had this to say about the former Gateshead duo.
“We are ecstatic to sign players of the calibre Kris Gate and Craig Baxter, along with all the signings we have made this summer. Both these signings have played at a high level consistently for a number of years with Gateshead and I can’t wait to see them pull on the Terriers jersey this season.”
Bedlington open the season on Saturday 11th August at home to Morpeth Town in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round, before hosting Durham City in their home league opener on Saturday 18th August.
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