Sutton United's next National League opponents are Gateshead, managed by former Premier League midfielder Lee Cattermole. The 36-year-old is in his first managerial role, having signed a two-year deal this summer to lead the Heed, who are currently 17th with one win from three games. This information was reported by www.suttonunited.net earlier this week.
Who is Gateshead manager Lee Cattermole?
Lee Cattermole's appointment marks a new chapter for Gateshead and for the Stockton-on-Tees-born coach himself. A product of the Middlesbrough academy he joined at age ten, Cattermole enjoyed a long playing career, most notably making over 250 appearances for Sunderland across a decade. His coaching journey began with Middlesbrough's youth setup before a brief stint as caretaker manager at Bristol Rovers in December 2024. He also spent a few weeks helping out behind the scenes at Sutton United during the 2024/25 season, working alongside Steve Morison, Anthony Fenton and Jon Meeney.
How did Gateshead survive last season?
Gateshead's presence in the division is a story of remarkable recovery. Under previous manager Rob Elliot, the club found itself 11 points adrift with just 17 games to play in the 2025/26 campaign, having endured a 16-game winless run from September to February. From February onwards, however, they picked up 31 points to clinch safety with two games to spare. Elliot, who had previously guided the club to a play-off place and an Isuzu FA Trophy win in 2024, has since moved to Carlisle United. Cattermole is now the fifth manager since Mike Williamson's departure to MK Dons in 2023, tasked with maintaining the club's National League status for a fifth straight year.
What is Cattermole's early record at Gateshead?
The new manager's tenure has had a mixed start. His sole victory so far was a 2-0 win over Woking, with defeats coming against Eastleigh and Yeovil Town. This leaves Gateshead looking up at a Sutton United side in imperious form. Sutton sit top of the National League with a perfect record of four wins from four, amassing 12 points. They lead the table by two points from Boreham Wood, having scored seven goals and conceded just one for a formidable +6 goal difference. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings page.
What was Lee Cattermole's playing career like?
Cattermole's playing credentials are solid. He made his senior debut for Middlesbrough against Newcastle United at just 17, playing the full 90 minutes and earning the Man of the Match award. He scored his first professional goal in a 1-0 win over Manchester City and featured in the 2006 UEFA Cup Final loss to Sevilla. A leader from a young age, he became Middlesbrough's youngest ever captain at 18 years and 47 days. His talent was recognised internationally, with call-ups at every England youth level from Under-16s upwards, including the Under-21s for play-offs against Germany.
What does this match mean for Sutton United?
For Sutton, the fixture represents an opportunity to extend their flawless start against a team still finding its feet under new management. The contrast in momentum is stark, with Sutton's winning form providing a significant psychological edge. The squad's current statistics, available on our stats page, highlight a team operating with both defensive solidity and attacking threat. As they prepare for the challenge, the focus will be on maintaining the standards that have propelled them to the summit so early in the season. The full schedule ahead can be viewed on our fixtures list.
