TheNewcastle Thunderis a professionalrugby leagueclub based inNewcastle upon Tyne,England. It was founded in 2000 asGateshead Thunder,after the merger of theoriginal Gateshead Thunderinto Hull F.C. in 1999.[1][2]The Thunder were based inGatesheaduntil 2014. In 2015, the club relocated and changed its name to Newcastle Thunder. In 2024, the Newcastle Thunder made a return to Gateshead as their playing base. For 2025 they will play their home games at Crow Trees Ground in Swalwell, home ofBlaydon RFC.[3]The club currently competes inLeague 1,the third tier of rugby league in the United Kingdom.
 | |||
| Club information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Newcastle Thunder Rugby League Football Club | ||
| Nickname(s) | Thunder | ||
| Short name | Newcastle | ||
| Colours |  | ||
| Founded | 2000(as Gateshead Thunder) | ||
| Website | thunderrugby.co.uk | ||
| Current details | |||
| Ground(s) | |||
| Chairman | Keith Christie | ||
| Coach | Chris Thorman | ||
| Competition | League 1 | ||
| 2024 season | 9th | ||
 Current season | |||
| Uniforms | |||
| |||
| Records | |||
| Challenge Cups | Quarter finalists(2009) | ||
| League 1 | 1(2008) | ||
| Most capped | 234–Joe Brown | ||
| Highest points scorer | 449– Benn Hardcastle | ||
History
editThe club was formed by the Thunder 2000 working group, formed by supporters of theoriginal Gateshead Thunderafter that organisation made the decision to merge withHull Sharksat the end of the 1999 season.[4]The new club, like the former club, played their home games atGateshead International Stadium,also the home ground ofGateshead F.C.The Thunder entered theNorthern Ford Premiershipfor the2001 season;however, they struggled to compete, and eventually finished 17th out of the 19 clubs.[5]
Gateshead continued to struggle in the following season, finishing bottom of the league in2002.[6]When the Northern Ford Premiership was split into two divisions for the2003 seasonthe club joinedNational League Two,and again finished in the bottom two, being kept off the bottom only by new entrantsLondon Skolars.[7]The club's fortunes began to improve in2005,a seventh-place finish being enough to gain a first ever place in the play-offs, before losing toWorkington Townin their first ever play-off game.[8]The club again finished seventh in2006,but went on to lose 46–18 toFeatherstone Roversin the play-offs.[9]
In 2008 the club won its first silverware, finishing the season as League 1 champions.[10]As champions, the club were promoted to theChampionship,and avoided on-field relegation by finishing seventh under coach Steve McCormack.[11]Thunder's joy at securing a second season in the second tier was however short-lived, as the club was wound up following a dispute between the directors. A new company was formed to continue the club, however the club had to restart as a Championship 1 side, effectively being relegated for the2010 season.[12]
Gateshead Thunder were taken over by the owners of rugby union sideNewcastle Falconsin 2015.[13]The club was rebranded as Newcastle Thunder and applied for permission to useKingston ParkinNewcastleas their home ground.[14]
Further silverware was earned in 2016, when Newcastle defeatedNorth Wales Crusadersto win theLeague 1 Shield[15]
On 10 December 2020, Thunder were promoted to theChampionshipby a committee to replaceLeighwho were, in turn, promoted toSuper Leagueto replaceToronto Wolfpack,who went out of business. Newcastle began playing in the 2021 Championship season.[16]
For the 2022 season, Newcastle announced they were adopting the full time professional model in order to aid promotion to theSuper League.[17]This lasted for one year with the club reverting back to part time semi professional status for 2023.[18]
Following the 2023 RFL Championship season, Newcastle were relegated to League One after winning five of 27 matches.[19]On 13 October 2023, the club announced that they had withdrawn from League One for the 2024 season. A club statement said "Unfortunately, the impact of COVID-19, combined with the low levels of regional growth and development in the game, means it just isn't feasible to continue."[20]An attempt to revive the club was immediately launched under former chairman, Keith Christie.[21]Despite an application to rejoin the league not having been accepted by the RFL, the RFL did include the club in the fixture lists for the1895 Cupand the2024 League One seasonwhen these were announced at the start of December 2023.[22]In December 2023 the RFL approved the club's change of ownership and confirmed Newcastle's participation in the 2024 season competitions.[23]
On 16 May 2024, the club announced that it would return to the Gateshead International Stadium for the rest of the 2024 season.[24]
For 2025 the club moved to play at the Crow Trees Ground, home ofBlaydon RFC.[25]
Kit manufacturers and sponsors
edit
| Years | Kit Manufacturer | Main Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Avec | Northern Electric & Gas |
| 2000–2001 | exito | none |
| 2004–2005 | Halbro | Halbro |
| 2006 | Nike | none |
| 2010 | XBlades | GMC Transport Limited |
| 2011–2012 | Puma | |
| 2013 | Stag | Jack Coupe and Sons |
| 2014 | Gateshead College | |
| 2015 | Impact | Gizmowizard |
| 2016 | Errea | Greene King IPA |
| 2017 | ISC | PTM Group |
| 2018–2019 | Tyne Metropolitan College | |
| 2020–2023 | Macron |
2025 squad
edit| First team squad | Coaching staff | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head coach Assistant coach
| |||||||||
Players
editNotable former players
edit(in alphabetical order)
Past coaches
editAlso seeCategory:Newcastle Thunder coaches
- Andy Kelly(2001–2002)
- Dean Thomas(2005–2006)
- Dave Woods(2006)
- Chris Hood(2009)
- Steve McCormack(2009)
- Richard Pell(2010–2011)
- Stanley Gene(2013–2014)
- Mick Mantelli(2016–2017)
- Jason Payne(2017–2019
- Simon Finnigan(2019–2020)
- Eamon O'Carroll(2020–2022)
- Chris Thorman(2023)
Records
edit- Correct to September 2017[26]
Player records
edit- Most tries in a match: 5 byAndy WalkervsLondon Skolars22 June 2003
- Most points in a season: 246 by Chris Birch, 2005
- Most career tries: 64 byKevin Neighbour,2001–2013
- Most career goals: 137 byPaul Thorman,2001–2004
- Most career points: 365 by Paul Thorman, 2001–2004
Team records
edit- Biggest win:
- 98-6v.
West Wales(atKingston Park Stadium,23 September 2018)
- 98-6v.
- Biggest defeat:
- 132-0v.
Blackpool(at Memorial Stadium, 16 May 2010)
- 132-0v.
Attendance records
edit- Highest all-time attendance:
- 6,631v.
Bradford(atGateshead International Stadium,16 May 1999)
- 6,631v.
Seasons
edit| Season (As Gateshead Thunder)
|
League | Challenge Cup | Other competitions | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | Play-offs | ||||
| 2001 | Northern Ford Premiership | 28 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 346 | 990 | 4 | 17th | Did not qualify | R4 | ||
| 2002 | Northern Ford Premiership | 27 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 338 | 1108 | 1 | 18th | Did not qualify | R3 | ||
| 2003 | National League Two | 18 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 365 | 663 | 7 | 9th | Did not qualify | R3 | ||
| 2004 | National League Two | 18 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 298 | 715 | 2 | 10th | Did not qualify | R3 | ||
| 2005 | National League Two | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 516 | 508 | 17 | 6th | Lost in elimination playoffs | R3 | ||
| 2006 | National League Two | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 547 | 540 | 22 | 7th | Lost in elimination playoffs | R3 | ||
| 2007 | National League Two | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 381 | 692 | 21 | 11th | Did not qualify | R4 | ||
| 2008 | National League Two | 22 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 767 | 415 | 59 | 1st | N/A[a] | R3 | ||
| 2009 | Championship | 20 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 4610 | 657 | 32 | 7th[b] | Did not qualify | QF | ||
| 2010 | Championship 1 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 236 | 1232 | -2 | 11th | Did not qualify | R3 | ||
| 2011 | Championship 1 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 268 | 1094 | 2 | 10th | Did not qualify | R4 | ||
| 2012 | Championship 1 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 276 | 824 | 5 | 10th | Did not qualify | R4 | ||
| 2013 | Championship 1 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 356 | 542 | 20 | 7th | Did not qualify | R3 | ||
| 2014 | Championship 1 | 20 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 615 | 576 | 36 | 4th | Lost in semi-final | R3 | ||
| Season (As Newcastle Thunder)
|
League | Challenge Cup | Other competitions | ||||||||||
| Division | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | Play-offs | ||||
| 2015 | Championship 1 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 555 | 552 | 22 | 8th | Did not qualify | R4 | ||
| 2016 | League 1 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 404 | 368 | 15 | 9th | Won in Shield Final | R3 | ||
| 2017 | League 1 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 459 | 328 | 18 | 6th | Fifth in Super 8s | R4 | ||
| 2018 | League 1 | 26 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 841 | 520 | 28 | 8th | Did not qualify | R4 | ||
| 2019 | League 1 | 20 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 741 | 364 | 29 | 3rd | Lost in play-off final | R4 | 1895 Cup | R2 |
| 2020 | League 1 | League abandoned due to theCOVID-19 pandemic | [c] | R6 | |||||||||
| 2021 | Championship | 20 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 431 | 627 | 15 | 11th | Did not qualify | R3[d] | 1895 Cup | R1 |
| 2022 | Championship | 27 | 7 | 1 | 19 | 559 | 877 | 15 | 12th | Did not qualify | R4 | ||
| 2023 | Championship | 25 | 4 | 1 | 20 | 361 | 862 | 9 | 14th | Did not qualify | R5 | ||
| 2024 | League One | 20 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 190 | 1124 | 0 | 9th | Did not qualify | R3 | 1895 Cup | GS |
Honours
edit- Winners (1):2008
- Promotion(1):2020
- Winners (1):2016
- Promotion(1):2020
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^"Heritage - Newcastle Thunder".Newcastle Thunder Rugby.
- ^Hall, Jane (28 March 2022)."Former Gateshead Thunder rugby star swaps sporting success for social work".Chronicle Live.
- ^"League 1 club announce new ground for 2025 as third home in nine months confirmed".Love Rugby League.8 January 2025.Retrieved8 January2025.
- ^"Club History".Newcastle Thunder.Retrieved5 September2017.
- ^"2001 Season".Cherry & White (RLFans).Retrieved5 September2017.
- ^"2002 Season".Cherry & White (RLFans).Retrieved7 September2017.
- ^"2003 Season".Cherry & White (RLFans).Retrieved7 September2017.
- ^"2005 Season".Cherry & White (RLFans).Retrieved7 September2017.
- ^"2006 Season".Cherry & White (RLFans).Retrieved7 September2017.
- ^"Newcastle Thunder".Evening Chronicle.Retrieved7 September2017.
- ^"McCormack joy as Thunder survive".BBC Sport. 7 September 2009.Retrieved10 September2017.
- ^"Gateshead rescue bid gathers pace".BBC Sport. 26 October 2009.Retrieved10 September2017.
- ^"Newcastle Thunder to soar under new ownership, predicts Brian Carney".Evening Chronicle. 26 May 2015.Retrieved7 September2015.
- ^"Newcastle Thunder: Gateshead rugby league side relocates".BBC Sport.BBC. 20 January 2015.Retrieved20 January2015.
- ^"Sunday 18th September 2016 Match Report".Rugby Football League.Retrieved7 September2017.
- ^"Thunder awarded Championship place".BBC Sport.Retrieved10 December2020.
- ^"Newcastle Thunder Confirm 2022 Full-Time Status".
- ^"Newcastle Thunder Announce Reversion to Part Time Status".
- ^"Championship relegation confirmed following latest defeat to promotion hopefuls Featherstone Rovers".www.loverugbyleague.com.8 September 2023.Retrieved29 September2023.
- ^"Newcastle Thunder: Relegated Championship rugby league team pull out of 2024 season".BBC Sport. 13 October 2023.Retrieved13 October2023.
- ^"Thunder edging nearer to relaunch".Rugby Leaguer & League Express.No. 3404. 6 November 2023. p. 3.
- ^Walker, Callum (3 December 2023)."Newcastle Thunder still not accepted by RFL for 2024 despite inclusion in 1895 Cup and League One fixtures".Total Rugby League.Retrieved3 December2023.
- ^"RFL approve change of ownership at Newcastle Thunder".Rugby-League.com. 23 December 2023.Retrieved8 January2024.
- ^"Newcastle Thunder return to Gateshead International Stadium".BBC Sport.16 May 2024.
- ^Walker, Callum (9 January 2025)."Newcastle Thunder to have a new home stadium for 2025".Total RL.Retrieved28 January2025.
- ^"Records and Honours".Newcastle Thunder.Retrieved7 September2017.
- ^"Newcastle Thunder to join Betfred Championship in 2021".www.rugby-league.com.10 December 2020.Retrieved24 October2021.