Gateshead FC First Team Squad - Defenders
2. Eddie Odhiambo - Defence
- Date of Birth:
- 31/08/1985 (age 26)
- Previous Clubs:
- Southampton, Chester City (loan), Tamworth (loan), Oxford United, Stevenage, Newport County
A summer signing from Newport County Tanzanian Odhiambo's career started as a trainee at Southampton. He then moved to Oxford United in 2006 and played 79 games during two seasons at the Kassam Stadium. Odhiambo, then joined Football League bound Stevenage where he made 40 appearances in a two year stay, including the 2009/10 Conference Premier championship campaign.
A versatile player Odhiambo played at Wembley in the FA Trophy final while at Broadhall Way before joining Newport and then Gateshead.
3. Sam Rents - Defence
- Date of Birth:
- 22/06/1987 (age 24)
- Previous Clubs:
- Brighton & Hove Albion, Crawley Town, Hayes & Yeading United (Loan)
Rents, signed for Gateshead in May 2011 from Conference Premier champions Crawley Town where he had spent the last three years. The Red Devils regular left back until he suffered a fractured cheekbone, he made 87 appearances for the West Sussex club.
A defender who can also play in midfield, Rents was originally with home town club Brighton & Hove Albion where he made 35 appearances, 30 of them in League One. Rents ended last season on loan at Hayes & Yeading United before joining Gateshead.
5. James Curtis - Defence
- Date of Birth:
- 13/04/1982 (age 29)
- Previous Clubs:
- Kennek Ryhope, Washington
- Sponsors:
- Bensham Washeteria
The longest serving player at the club Curtis joined Gateshead in the summer of 2003 from Northern League side Washington, after he had started his career at Kennek Ryhope. The towering central defender is a firm fans favourite and his impressive performances have brought several awards including Player of the Year on three occasions.
The Wearsider has remained loyal to Gateshead and has racked up over 350 appearances during his eight years at the club. Curtis has played in four different leagues for Gateshead and penned a two-year professional deal during the summer of 2010.
6. Ben Clark - Defence
- Date of Birth:
- 23/01/1983 (age 29)
- Previous Clubs:
- Manchester United, Sunderland, Hartlepool United
- Sponsors:
- Alan Price
Karen Price
Former England Youth international Clark was a major signing for Gateshead in 2010 from League One club Hartlepool United where he made 181 appearances in six years. Originally with Sunderland the central defender played 14 games for the Black Cats before he joined Hartlepool in 2004.
Clark who captained England at five youth levels including under 20, can also play in midfield. Club captain at Gateshead, he picked up the Player of the Year accolade after his first season on Tyneside.
14. Craig Baxter - Defence
- Date of Birth:
- 27/09/1986 (age 25)
- Previous Clubs:
- Newcastle United
- Sponsors:
- Graham Wood
An attacking full back now in his sixth season at Gateshead following his release by Premier League neighbours Newcastle United in the summer of 2006. Baxter made the right back position his own at Gateshead with some excellent displays and contributed some impressive goals.
Baxter was Gateshead's only ever-present during the 2008/9 Blue Square North promotion campaign and is approaching 250 appearances for the International Stadium-based club.
18. Carl Magnay - Defence
- Date of Birth:
- 20/01/1989 (age 23)
- Previous Clubs:
- Chelsea, MK Dons (loan), Northampton Town (loan)
Gateshead clinched the signing of central defender Carl Magnay on a contract until the end of the season in January.
Gateshead-born Magnay spent the last four and a half years at Premier League giants Chelsea where he was a regular in the Blues reserve side. During his time at Stamford Bridge the Northern Ireland U.21 international had loan spells at Milton Keynes Dons and Northampton Town. Originally at Leeds United Academy, Magnay's one international cap came against Portugal in August 2009.
20. Chris Carruthers - Defence
- Date of Birth:
- 19/08/1983 (age 28)
- Previous Clubs:
- Northampton Town, Hornchurch (loan), Kettering Town (loan), Bristol Rovers, Oxford United, Crawley Town (loan), York City
Experienced left sided player Carruthers joined Gateshead in July 2011 after a two year spell at Conference rivals York City.
Capped by England at U.20 level, he played 201 games for Bristol Rovers and local club Northampton Town where he made his debut at the age of 17. He won the 2007 League Two play-off final with Bristol Rovers in front of a 60,000 Wembley crowd. Carruthers joined Oxford United a year later and had loan spells at Crawley Town and York before he joined the Minstermen on a permanent basis.
