Newcastle Thunder

History

The club was formed by the Thunder 2000 working group, formed by supporters of the original Gateshead Thunder after that organisation made the decision to merge with Hull Sharks at the end of the 1999 season. The new club, like the former club, played their home games at Gateshead International Stadium, also the home ground of Gateshead F.C. The Thunder entered the Northern Ford Premiership for the 2001 season; however, they struggled to compete, and eventually finished 17th out of the 19 clubs.

Gateshead continued to struggle in the following season, finishing bottom of the league in 2002. When the Northern Ford Premiership was split into two divisions for the 2003 season the club joined National League Two, and again finished in the bottom two, being kept off the bottom only by new entrants London Skolars. The club's fortunes began to improve in 2005, a seventh-place finish being enough to gain a first ever place in the play-offs, before losing to Workington Town in their first ever play-off game. The club again finished seventh in 2006, but went on to lose 46–18 to Featherstone Rovers in the play-offs.

In 2008 the club won its first silverware, finishing the season as League 1 champions. As champions, the club were promoted to the Championship, and avoided on-field relegation by finishing seventh under coach Steve McCormack. 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 the 2010 season.

Gateshead Thunder were taken over by the owners of rugby union side Newcastle Falcons in 2015. The club was rebranded as Newcastle Thunder and applied for permission to use Kingston Park in Newcastle as their home ground.

Further silverware was earned in 2016, when Newcastle defeated North Wales Crusaders to win the League 1 Shield

On 10 December 2020, Thunder were promoted to the Championship by a committee to replace Leigh who were, in turn, promoted to Super League to replace Toronto Wolfpack, who went out of business. Newcastle began playing in the 2021 Championship season.

For the 2022 season, Newcastle announced they were adopting the full time professional model in order to aid promotion to the Super League. This lasted for one year with the club reverting back to part time semi professional status for 2023.

Following the 2023 RFL Championship season, Newcastle were relegated to League One after winning five of 27 matches. 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." An attempt to revive the club was immediately launched under former chairman, Keith Christie. 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 the 1895 Cup and the 2024 League One season when these were announced at the start of December 2023. In December 2023 the RFL approved the club's change of ownership and confirmed Newcastle's participation in the 2024 season competitions.

On 16 May 2024, the club announced that it would return to the Gateshead International Stadium for the rest of the 2024 season.

For 2025 the club moved to play at the Crow Trees Ground, home of Blaydon RFC.

Kit manufacturers and sponsors

2026 squad

Players

Notable former players

(in alphabetical order)

• Russell Aitken
• Ryan Bailey
• Matt Barron
• David Bates
• Luke Branighan
• Tabua Cakacaka
• Scott Dyson
• Paul Franze
• Ashley Gibson
• Andrew Henderson
• Kris Kahler
• Jordan Meads
• Wade Liddell
• David Mycoe
• Chris Parker
• Damien Reid
• Stewart Sanderson
• Netani Suka
• Kerrod Walters
• Nick Youngquest

Past coaches

Also see :Category:Newcastle Thunder coaches

Gateshead Thunder

• 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)

Newcastle Thunder

• Mick Mantelli (2016–2017)
• Jason Payne (2017–2019
• Simon Finnigan (2019–2020)
• Eamon O'Carroll (2020–2022)
• Chris Thorman (2023-2025)
• Graham Steadman (interim) (2025-)

Records

:Correct to September 2017

Player records

• Most tries in a match: 5 by Andy Walker vs London Skolars 22 June 2003
• Most points in a season: 246 by Chris Birch, 2005
• Most career tries: 64 by Kevin Neighbour, 2001–2013
• Most career goals: 137 by Paul Thorman, 2001–2004
• Most career points: 365 by Paul Thorman, 2001–2004

Team records

• Biggest win: ::98-6 v. West Wales (at Kingston Park Stadium, 23 September 2018)
• Biggest defeat: ::132-0 v. Blackpool (at Memorial Stadium, 16 May 2010)

Attendance records

• Highest all-time attendance: ::6,631 v. Bradford (at Gateshead International Stadium, 16 May 1999)

Seasons

Honours

• RFL League 1: ::Winners (1): 2008
• RFL League 1: ::Promotion(1): 2020 ::*League 1 Shield: :::Winners (1): 2016

Reserves

As of 2026, Newcastle entered a reserve team, Newcastle Lightening, into the Yorkshire Mens League, playing their games as double headers with the first team.

Notes

References

References

1. "Heritage - Newcastle Thunder".
2. (28 Mar 2022). "Former Gateshead Thunder rugby star swaps sporting success for social work". Chronicle Live.
3. (2025-01-08). "League 1 club announce new ground for 2025 as third home in nine months confirmed".
4. "Club History". Newcastle Thunder.
5. "2001 Season". Cherry & White (RLFans).
6. "2002 Season". Cherry & White (RLFans).
7. "2003 Season". Cherry & White (RLFans).
8. "2005 Season". Cherry & White (RLFans).
9. "2006 Season". Cherry & White (RLFans).
10. "Newcastle Thunder". Evening Chronicle.
11. (7 September 2009). "McCormack joy as Thunder survive". BBC Sport.
12. (26 October 2009). "Gateshead rescue bid gathers pace". BBC Sport.
13. (26 May 2015). "Newcastle Thunder to soar under new ownership, predicts Brian Carney". Evening Chronicle.
14. (20 January 2015). "Newcastle Thunder: Gateshead rugby league side relocates". BBC.
15. "Sunday 18th September 2016 Match Report". Rugby Football League.
16. "Thunder awarded Championship place". BBC Sport.
17. "Newcastle Thunder Confirm 2022 Full-Time Status".
18. "Newcastle Thunder Announce Reversion to Part Time Status".
19. (8 September 2023). "Championship relegation confirmed following latest defeat to promotion hopefuls Featherstone Rovers".
20. (13 October 2023). "Newcastle Thunder: Relegated Championship rugby league team pull out of 2024 season". BBC Sport.
21. (6 November 2023). "Thunder edging nearer to relaunch". [[Rugby Leaguer & League Express]].
22. (3 December 2023). "Newcastle Thunder still not accepted by RFL for 2024 despite inclusion in 1895 Cup and League One fixtures". Total Rugby League.
23. (23 December 2023). "RFL approve change of ownership at Newcastle Thunder". Rugby-League.com.
24. (16 May 2024). "Newcastle Thunder return to Gateshead International Stadium". BBC Sport.
25. (9 January 2025). "Newcastle Thunder to have a new home stadium for 2025". Total RL.
26. "Records and Honours". Newcastle Thunder.
27. (10 December 2020). "Newcastle Thunder to join Betfred Championship in 2021".