Gateshead have confirmed that Ian Bogie will become the club's first full-time professional manager for half a century ahead of the 2010 /11 campaign.
Bogie, who has masterminded consecutive promotions and kept Gateshead in the Blue Square Premier this season, has accepted a two-year contract.
The club has also confirmed it will be switching to a full-time squad for the 2010/11 season but Bogie will have to bring in a new right hand man..
Neither Jeff Wrightson nor Paul Thompson - both Gateshead stalwarts - have been able to switch from a part-time to full-time role.
Around fourteen of the twenty-six-man squad that finished the season will be offered professional contracts and chairman Graham Wood is delighted that Bogie will be able to extend his four-year stay at the International Stadium.
"The board of directors have ratified the decision to make the club full-time next season," said Wood, "and we are delighted that Ian has accepted a two-year full-time contract to remain as manager of Gateshead.
"He did brilliantly to achieve promotion in each of his first two years as manager and, while last season was difficult, managed to keep the club in the Blue Square Premier.
"Our quest is to take Gateshead back into the Football League and hopefully Ian will be the man to take us there.
"Mid-table respectability is the minimum target next season and the aim is to finish in the top half.
"It is regrettable that Jeff Wrightson and Paul Thompson will not be able to make the step up and we thank them for their major contribution to Gateshead Football Club over the years.
Bogie, who has worked without a contract in each of his three years as manager at Gateshead, having spent his first year as coach under Tony Lee, is thrilled to be tasked with the opportunity to continue the progress already made.
"I have been in football all my life so to become a full time manager is a natural progression, and for it to be at Gateshead is an added bonus," said Bogie.
"It is a new challenge for myself and the club and it is one I am looking forward to as it is the opportunity to compete on an even keel with the majority of the other clubs in the Blue Square Premier.
"Training every day means we will be fitter and stronger. It should also be easier to attract players to a full-time club though the budget will be realistic."
Bogie was also quick to pay tribute to his right-hand men, Wrightson and Thompson.
"While we needed to become full-time to progress the downside is that we have lost two loyal servants who were fantastic ambassadors for Gateshead Football Club.
"Jeff and Thommo have been pivotal to our success. It will be strange when they are not in the dug out and dressing room next season and I will miss them.
"The appointment of a new number two is a top priority and there will be a lot of hard work done during the summer as we look to take the club forward."
