Gateshead have signed defender Paul Heckingbottom on a one-year deal following his release by Blue Square Premier rivals Mansfield Town.Heckingbottom, 32, made 15 appearances for the Tynesiders while on loan last season and boss Ian Bogie sees the player's experience as a useful tool.
"Paul did a good job for us in the last three months of the season," Bogie told the club's official website.
"He is an experienced player with a calm head."
Bogie added: "The defence is taking shape nicely but I am still on the look out for another central defender with James Curtis and Carl Jones already at the club."
The Barnsley-born defender has made 378 league appearances, scoring 12 goals, with Barnsley, Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday among his former clubs having started out at North East neighbours Sunderland.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport