Skinner returns to the club having previously held a coaching role within Gateshead FC Academy and Gateshead College from August 2022, taking charge of the under-19 side in the NLFA North Division across the 2022\/23 and 2023\/24 seasons as well as providing a link between the academy and the club’s first team management.<\/p>\n
A number of academy players were included in the first team setup across those two seasons, with Ben Franklin, Cole Sharp, Dylan Archer, Lucas Lowery, Matty Cassap, Preston Leech and Oli Thompson all making senior match day squads.<\/p>\n
Skinner took post as manager of non-league side Ashington in January 2019, remaining with the club until April 2024 when he departed to take on a coaching role within Newcastle United’s academy system.<\/p>\n
“Delighted to be back!” <\/em>said Skinner.<\/p>\n “It was an opportunity to take on a prominent role within the first team, and one which I felt was too good to turn down.<\/em><\/p>\n “I’m going to take a lead on the majority of training sessions on a daily basis, and obviously the gaffer is going to come in with his detail, which is his strength.<\/em><\/p>\n “The three of us [Bridcutt, Skinner & Magnay] will make a fantastic team, and we’ll create an environment that’s a positive one for the players and one which helps them flourish.”<\/em><\/p>\n