Former Premier League star ‘is considering shock bid’ to take over non-league club after being spotted at a number of their matches this season

A former Premier League star has been linked with a shock takeover of a non-league club that is looking to move into the Football League.

Gateshead, who are sixth in the National League table – therefore in the play-offs – have been owned by their supporters since 2019 when they were relegated to the sixth tier because of financial irregularities.

Since, they have earned promotion back to the National League and were managed by former Newcastle defender Mike Williamson until October 2023 when he left to take over at MK Dons.

They were also previously led by ex-Magpies goalkeeper Rob Elliot until he too left, taking charge at Crawley. But the club were promoted under Williamson and praised for their expansive brand of football until his departure.

Having also won the FA Trophy under his leadership, the club are looking at gaining promotion to the fourth tier this season – and could do so under the ownership of a surprise name.

According to the Chronicle, former Everton forward Victor Anichebe has been considering a takeover bid for the club after being seen at a number of their matches this season.

Victor Anichebe, who played more than 200 times for the likes of Everton, has been spotted at a number of Gateshead games this season

The club are looking to earn promotion to the Football League, but could be doing so under a new owner

The 36-year-old, who is now retired, featured for the likes of Everton, West Brom and Sunderland in his career while representing Nigeria at international level.

He scored a total of 38 goals in 250 games, with 27 of those coming in the Premier League across 204 appearances. 

He has been a regular at the Gateshead International Stadium this season, but the Chronicle reported that the club replied with ‘no comment’ when asked about the potential takeover.

It had first come to light when Yeovil manager Mark Cooper seemed to reference Anichebe without saying his name, claiming he was involved in a transfer for Yeovil player Frank Nouble that eventually fell through.

‘Frank wanted to go to Gateshead,’ he said. ‘Somebody from Gateshead approached him that we’ve now found out, has no influence or doesn’t own the football club.

‘I think this person did a deal with Frank’s agent, which obviously unsettled Frank, which it would do because he had a good deal going to Gateshead. And then, it went quiet. We then found out that there was no deal.

‘The person doing the deal with Frank’s agent and Frank had no jurisdiction to do the deal, because as far as I’m aware he doesn’t yet own Gateshead.

‘Really disappointing from Gateshead’s side of it and feel sorry for Frank really, but he wanted to go.

‘He made it clear he wanted to go and play for Gateshead, we granted that wish, but it’s fell through, so we’ll wait to see what happens.’