Newcastle Falcons take over Gateshead Thunder and aim for promotion
Newcastle Rugby Ltd, owners of rugby union club Newcastle Falcons, has completed its take over of Gateshead Thunder, and are aiming for promotion to the Championship for 2015.
With the re-structure of the game set to take place ahead of next year, a place in the top 24 has been guaranteed to the winner of this season’s Championship One.
Thunder currently sit seventh in the table, with the top five clubs going in to the play-offs at the end of the year to shoot out for promotion.
They will continue to play at the Gateshead International Stadium until the end of the year, when options will then be discussed, with the possibility of relocating to Newcastle’s Kingston Park ground an option.
The club’s identity, including logo and team colours, will remain the same, and former Papua New Guinea international Stanley Gene will remain as coach, armed with new resources to strengthen his squad.
Newcastle Rugby Ltd chairman Semore Kurdi said: “I’m delighted that Gateshead Thunder has become part of Newcastle Rugby Ltd. There are a number of benefits to having both league and union clubs within the same organisation. Resources can be shared off the field in terms of administration, marketing, medical, sports science and facilities that will be to the advantage of both clubs.
“We look forward to the second half of the season now with Thunder with our aim being promotion to the next tier. With rugby league now re-introducing promotion and relegation between the various levels there is a clear path through to Super League. To reach Super League will be our long term goal. There is now a target date for this goal and if we do achieve it we will have earned our place by growth on and off the field and by becoming a sustainable club.
“We look forward to our Community Foundation working with the Thunder Community Programme to benefit both codes in the future.”
Bill Midgeley, chairman of Gateshead Thunder said: “This is undoubtedly the most significant date in Gateshead Thunder’s history since the formation of the original club back in 1998 and its first season in Super League back in 1999.The offer from Newcastle Rugby Ltd was unanimously accepted by the shareholders of Thunder Rugby Ltd and I’m both delighted and excited at the short and long term future for the club.
“There’s a lot of hard work ahead for everyone involved but today’s news gives us a real opportunity to grow not just Thunder but the sport of rugby league in the North East.”