Gateshead in triple swoop

Gateshead have made their first two close season signings with manager Ian Bogie landing Jon Shaw at the second attempt and fellow striker Jonny Allan.

Shaw, 26, who joined Mansfield Town from Rochdale in January, has signed a two year contact and Northwich Victoria legend Allan, 27, a one-year deal.

Experienced former Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Bradford City and Darlington left back Paul Heckingbottom meanwhile has agreed terms to join Gateshead on a permanent basis after impressing on loan last season.

Jon Shaw

Bogie first tried to sign Shaw during the January transfer window after the Yorkshireman had spent an injury ravaged one month loan spell at the International Stadium.

The former Sheffield Wednesday front man instead joined Conference premier rivals Mansfield Town where he scored three goals in six starts and eight substitute appearances.

Shaw initially played 20 games for hometown club Sheffield Wednesday in 2003-4 as a teenager before moving to Burton Albion where he played over a century of games.

Top scorer in his first two seasons at Burton, he also played in the two memorable FA Cup ties against Manchester United, his appearance in the replay at Old Trafford curtailed due to a facial injury.

While at Burton Shaw played alongside Daryl Clare, a partnership that will be rekindled next season at Gateshead.

A memorable Conference campaign at Halifax Town followed his departure from Burton during which time he scored 20 goals in 37 appearances for the Shaymen during a memorable 2007-8 campaign.

That brought a £50,000 move back into the Football League at Rochdale but his time under Keith Hill at Spotland proved to be a frustrating one as he was limited to just seven appearances.

During his one-and-a-half years in Lancashire Shaw had successful loan spells at Conference national clubs Crawley Town, Barrow and Gateshead.

Due to a hamstring injury he made only one start for Gateshead in the 3-3 Boxing Day thriller against Barrow at Holker Street where he impressed alongside Clare.

An England C international with six caps, Shaw is delighted that he has finally got his move to Gateshead.

"I thought I was joining Gateshead at the start of the year," said Shaw "unfortunately the deal fell through but it is great that I can now join what is an ambitious club.

"It has been a frustrating last couple of years as my move to Rochdale didn't work out and then I was played out of position at Mansfield for a lot of the time.

"I was on the right side of a front three or on the right wing rather than my preferred position through the middle and I also picked up a niggle while at Field Mill.

"I am in the best shape I've been in for some time and am fresh and raring to go and looking forward to relocating to Tyneside.

"We have got some experienced strikers at Gateshead and it will be good to link up with Daryl Clare again. I will be looking to win the aerials and chip in with my fair share of goals.

"I have been at clubs that have been in transition before and there is no reason why we can't kick on next season - you only have to look at what Blackpool have achieved this season."

Bogie meanwhile is delighted to finally get his man.

"Jon Shaw is a big signing for this club. He was excellent in the one full game he played for us on loan and I was disappointed to miss out on him in the January transfer window," said Bogie.

"Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth has been very accommodating in allowing him to move to the North East where he has family.

"He still had a year on his contract so it was very good of David and Mansfield to let him go on a free transfer and I thank them for their co-operation.

"Shaw will give us a physical presence up front. He is great in the air, at 26 is at the peak of his powers and his stats and pedigree are impressive.

"He will lead the line and bring other people into play. I thought we had him last time and it is fantastic to finally get him through the door.

"We now have four experienced, top quality strikers, all of whom have played in the Football League, so there will be real competition for places."

Jonny Allan

Penrith-born Jonny Allan began his career at Cumbria's only Football League club Carlisle United making 29 appearances, including 19 off the bench, between 2000-2002 as a youngster.

Allan then joined Northwich Victoria where he established himself as a real fans favourite over the next eight years at the Cheshire club where he played over 200 games.

Regularly the Vics leading marksman Allan, 27 last Monday, played five years in the Conference premier and two in the Conference North for Northwich.

Last season Carlisle-based Allan scored nine goals in 32 games and led the line in the televised FA Cup win over Charlton Athletic at the Victoria Stadium.

Allan also played the full 90 minutes up front alongside former Gateshead striker Paul Brayson in Northwich's 3-0 FA Cup defeat against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in 2006.

With Northwich suffering a second successive demotion for financial irregularities Allan has severed his links with the club to ply his trade at Gateshead.

"I enjoyed my eight years at Northwich but off the field problems have made life difficult in recent times and the club have just suffered a second successive demotion.

"Ian Bogie contacted me last week and I was immediately interested. It is great to be back in the Conference Premier and the facilities at Gateshead are excellent.

"It was time to move on and Gateshead is a new challenge that I am looking forward to. Having four good strikers will keep us all on our toes and is just what we need.

"I was at Carlisle for a while as a kid with Brian Wake so it will be good to meet up with him again and Daryl Clare and Jon Shaw are both proven Conference strikers.

"I am a 100% player who will score my fair share of goals. Gateshead are a club on the up and I'm glad to be a part of what hopefully will be a good season."

Bogie believes Allan has what it takes to make an impression at the International Stadium.

"He has been a tremendous servant to Northwich Victoria where he is revered by the supporters.and at 27, he is at a good age," said Bogie.

"He built up a good reputation at Northwich and with Allan, Shaw, Clare, and Wake I will have four good forwards at my disposal."

Peter Winn meanwhile has signed for Coca-Cola League Two newcomers Stevenage Borough on a one-year contract.

The 21 year old scored five goals in 21 appearances during two loan spells at Gateshead last season from Scunthorpe United.

"Winn was offered terms to join Gateshead on a permanent basis but has decided instead to join Stevenage," said Bogie.

"I am disappointed but not overly concerned. I will look to bring another left sided player in while youngster Steven Baptist will knock on the first team door this season."