Regan Booty, a midfielder for Gateshead (Charles Waugh picture)
Carl Magnay, manager of Gateshead, has spoken out about Regan Booty’s unexpected comeback to the Heed team just two weeks after he asked to quit the National League team.
The former Maidstone United midfielder has had an incredibly successful 18 months at the International Stadium. He played a crucial role in the Gateshead team’s triumph over Solihull Moors last season, which led to their FA Trophy Final victory.
Due to Booty’s performance in the first half of the season, League One and League Two clubs, as well as at least…
Gateshead Manager Provides Update Regarding Wantaway Midfielder
In response to rumours that one of his current first-team players wants to quit the National League team, Gateshead manager Carl Magnay has provided an update on the player’s future.
Magnay gave a thorough debriefing to the club’s media team about the current state of midfielder Regan Booty after Gateshead’s goalless draw against Yeovil Town on Friday night.
Shortly after the EFL transfer window opened and after Gateshead had already confirmed the losses of Owen Oseni and Callum Whelan, the midfielder submitted a transfer request to the National League team earlier this month.
However, Magnay has now issued an update on the midfielders future, the clubs current stance and where he isn’t likely to end up in his next destination.
What did Magnay have to say?
After the club drew 0-0 against play-off chasers Yeovil Town on Friday evening, Magnay provided a full update on Booty’s future, where he stated…
“It’s very easy on Regan (Booty); it’s generally known that he submitted a transfer request, and I do want to be aware that someone is there while that’s happening.
“We must be careful not to go too far with what has been said about him, regardless of whether you agree with his decision-making. We must respect and care for him in that way since he has his reasons.
Magnay went on to discuss the deal’s football component, saying
“However, from a football point of view – the market value of the player we consider one of the best in the league it’s quite simple. We’ve had offers that aren’t satisfactory and until we get an offer that is satisfactory we won’t sell him.”
Magnay finished the interview by talking about certain types of clubs that Gateshead won’t sell to and offered a slight insight to their feelings on some of the deals. He said…
“To some clubs, we won’t sell him at all because if their competitors or in and around us, it doesn’t make sense for us to sell our best player to a rival who’s trying to sign him on the cheap.
“We want more respect, we deserve more respect and until a satisfactory offer comes in from a club that we consider suitable along with Regan, then the situation stays the same.”
How has he fared this season?
Booty has been an influential figure at the heart of Gateshead’s midfield ever since his permanent arrival from Maidstone United in the summer of 2023.
He played a crucial role in securing a play-off place and FA Trophy triumph last season and has picked up where he left off during the 2024/25 campaign thus far.
Currently, Booty has made 25 league appearances for Gateshead in the National League this season, meaning the clash against Yeovil is the only fixture he’s missed this season.
During that time, Booty has contributed to seven league goals and has an average match rating of 7.52 – providing to be one of Gateshead’s standout performers during the first half of the campaign.
What does the interview tell us?
If you dissect Magnay’s interview after the game, he provides updates on numerous areas within the deal, including clubs he isn’t likely to sign for, an idea on the figure in question and the club’s ongoing stance.
It’s clear from the interview that Gateshead are aiming to generate as much money from the sale as possible, especially after the likes of Oseni and Whelan have already left for undisclosed fees this month.
This figure is undisclosed, but it could be high enough to automatically rule out every other club in the National League – whilst Magnay’s comments also show that the club won’t consider any offers from teams they are in direct competition with.
It would seem unlikely that a player would hand in a transfer request to join another team in the same division, suggesting he has his eyes firmly set on an EFL move.
Former manager Mike Williamson has already signed two players he coached at Gateshead whilst another loanee could also join Carlisle United – which seems as though the club would be an ideal fit for Booty.
Rob Elliott at Crawley Town could also be something that Gateshead may consider giving the two worked closely in the National League last season.
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