With most of the first team squad involved in a training ground game at Sunderland in the morning, a raft of Gateshead academy players featured on Teesside.
This month marks the three-year anniversary of a supporter-led takeover of the National League North side as the newly-formed Gateshead Soul group played a key role in hauling the club back from the brink of going out of business.
The former Newcastle United and Wolves centre-back has always been open to new ideas and he is embracing a Japanese concept as he prepares for his third season in charge of the Tyneside outfit.
The 22-year-old frontman captured the eye of a number of clubs across the football pyramid earlier this season when he hit a purple patch of form with Northern League club Hebburn.
The 26-year-old was on a list of players that left Darlington earlier this week – but he wasted little time in finding a new club after signing a one-year deal with their National League North rivals.
Preston spent last season plying his trade with Halifax and netted three goals in the National League – two of which came in both league fixtures against the Heed.
Williamson, who made over 30 appearances for the Heed last season in a player-coach role, will now adopt a player-manager position and be assisted by former Blyth Spartans defender Ian Watson.
The Heed now need to raise £95,000 to pay off all creditors by Wednesday or there is a very real and imminent prospect that it will cease to exist in its current form