Poor Gateshead. Historically, this is something of a double-whammy, albeit 64 years apart. They were poorly treated when they were voted out of the Football League at the end of the 1959-60 season. For years Gateshead had been competing in Division 3 (North) until the Northern and Southern Divisions were merged at the start of 1958-59. In their second season in the Fourth Division they had finished third bottom of the Fourth Division and were obliged to seek re-election It was the first time since they were elected to the Second Division in 1919 (that means they had been in the League a year longer than Argyle had). Oldham below them were applying for the second consecutive season, while for bottom club Hattlepools were re-applying for the fourth time. Southport, who finished just above Gateshead were applying for the 3rd year in a row and their 7th time overall. Their average gates were 3249, not brilliant but six other teams had averaged less. No one argued with the election of Peterborough but the expulsion of Gateshead seemed unfair. Most believed it was purely their geographical position. It was noticeable that among the 22 clubs trying to be elected, 3 got no votes. Kings Lynn, furthest East, Hereford furthest West, and Yeovil furthest South. Other 'outposts' Morecambe and South Shields got 1 each.
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