Newcastle Thunder

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.thunderrugby.com/club_info/history|title=Club History|publisher=Newcastle Thunder|access-date=5 September 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=156|title=2001 Season|publisher=Cherry & White (RLFans)|access-date=5 September 2017}}

Gateshead continued to struggle in the following season, finishing bottom of the league in 2002.{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=153|title=2002 Season|publisher=Cherry & White (RLFans)|access-date=7 September 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=154|title=2003 Season|publisher=Cherry & White (RLFans)|access-date=7 September 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=155|title=2005 Season|publisher=Cherry & White (RLFans)|access-date=7 September 2017}} The club again finished seventh in 2006, but went on to lose 46–18 to Featherstone Rovers in the play-offs.{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=470|title=2006 Season|publisher=Cherry & White (RLFans)|access-date=7 September 2017}}

In 2008 the club won its first silverware, finishing the season as League 1 champions.{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-thunder|title=Newcastle Thunder|publisher=Evening Chronicle|access-date=7 September 2017}} As champions, the club were promoted to the Championship, and avoided on-field relegation by finishing seventh under coach Steve McCormack.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8241467.stm|title=McCormack joy as Thunder survive|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 September 2009|access-date=10 September 2017}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8326982.stm|title=Gateshead rescue bid gathers pace|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 October 2009|access-date=10 September 2017}}

File:Kingston Park - 3 - geograph-1813910.jpg

Gateshead Thunder were taken over by the owners of rugby union side Newcastle Falcons in 2015.{{cite news |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/rugby-league/newcastle-thunder-soar-under-new-9330359|title=Newcastle Thunder to soar under new ownership, predicts Brian Carney|publisher=Evening Chronicle|date=26 May 2015|access-date=7 September 2015}} The club was rebranded as Newcastle Thunder and applied for permission to use Kingston Park in Newcastle as their home ground.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/30901286|title=Newcastle Thunder: Gateshead rugby league side relocates|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=20 January 2015|access-date=20 January 2015}}

Further silverware was earned in 2016, when Newcastle defeated North Wales Crusaders to win the League 1 Shield{{cite web|url=http://www.rugby-league.com/kingstone_press_leagues/match_report/13120|title=Sunday 18th September 2016 Match Report|publisher=Rugby Football League|access-date=7 September 2017}}

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.{{cite news|title=Thunder awarded Championship place|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/55261514|access-date=10 December 2020}}

For the 2022 season, Newcastle announced they were adopting the full time professional model in order to aid promotion to the Super League.{{cite web | url=https://www.thunderrugby.co.uk/article/173/newcastle-thunder-confirm-2022-full-time-status | title=Newcastle Thunder Confirm 2022 Full-Time Status }} This lasted for one year with the club reverting back to part time semi professional status for 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.thunderrugby.co.uk/article/470/newcastle-thunder-announce-reversion-to-part-time-status | title=Newcastle Thunder Announce Reversion to Part Time Status }}

Following the 2023 RFL Championship season, Newcastle were relegated to League One after winning five of 27 matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/championship-relegation-confirmed-following-latest-defeat-to-promotion-hopefuls-featherstone-rovers/|title=Championship relegation confirmed following latest defeat to promotion hopefuls Featherstone Rovers|website=www.loverugbyleague.com|date=8 September 2023 |accessdate=29 September 2023}} 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."{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/67098773 |title=Newcastle Thunder: Relegated Championship rugby league team pull out of 2024 season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 October 2023|access-date=13 October 2023}} An attempt to revive the club was immediately launched under former chairman, Keith Christie.{{cite news|title=Thunder edging nearer to relaunch|work=Rugby Leaguer & League Express |date=6 November 2023 |page=3 |issue=3404}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Callum |title=Newcastle Thunder still not accepted by RFL for 2024 despite inclusion in 1895 Cup and League One fixtures |url=https://www.totalrl.com/newcastle-thunder-still-not-accepted-by-rfl-for-2024-despite-inclusion-in-1895-cup-and-league-one-fixtures/ |access-date=3 December 2023 |work=Total Rugby League |date=3 December 2023 |url-access=subscription}} In December 2023 the RFL approved the club's change of ownership and confirmed Newcastle's participation in the 2024 season competitions.{{cite web |title=RFL approve change of ownership at Newcastle Thunder |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62373/rfl-approve-change-of-ownership-at-newcastle-thunder |publisher=Rugby-League.com |access-date=8 January 2024 |date=23 December 2023}}

On 16 May 2024, the club announced that it would return to the Gateshead International Stadium for the rest of the 2024 season.{{cite news |title=Newcastle Thunder return to Gateshead International Stadium |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c6pypyg4zdlo |work=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2024}}

For 2025 the club moved to play at the Crow Trees Ground, home of Blaydon RFC.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Callum |title=Newcastle Thunder to have a new home stadium for 2025 |url=https://www.totalrl.com/newcastle-thunder-to-have-a-new-home-stadium-for-2025/ |access-date=28 January 2025 |work=Total RL |date=9 January 2025}}

File:Gateshead thunder shirt 2009.png

File:Gateshead Thunder logo.png

{{Rugby league squad

|squadname=2025 Newcastle Thunder squad

|BC1=purple

|FC1=yellow

|BC2=black

|FC2=white

|list1a={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Will Bate|pos=HK}}

|list1b={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Ollie Bibby|pos=SO|pos2=SH}}

|list1c={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=George Birch|pos=CE|pos2=WG}}

|list1d={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Joe Bradley|pos=FB}}

|list1e={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Leo Bradley|pos=WG}}

|list1f={{flagicon|SCO}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Seth Clapham|pos=CE}}

|list1g={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Sean Croston|pos=CE|pos2=WG}}

|list1h={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Jake Dickinson|pos=WG|pos2=CE}}

|list1i={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Alex Donaghy|pos=FB}}

|list1j={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Tobias Gibson|pos=PR|pos2=LF}}

|list2a={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Lloyd Hall|pos=SR|pos2=PR}}

|list2b={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Matty Handy|pos=SR|pos2=CE}}

|list2c={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Mike Hanson|pos=CE|pos2=SO}}

|list2d={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Tyler Hepple|pos=LF|pos2=SO|pos3=SR}}

|list2e={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Evan Lawther|pos=CE}}

|list2f={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Will Lintin|pos=HK}}

|list2g={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Harry Lowery|pos=PR|pos2=LF}}

|list2h={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Harry Phillips|pos=PR}}

|list2i={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Harry Price|pos=PR}}

|list2j={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Jacob Rennison|pos=WG}}

|list3a={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Matty Rolls|pos=HK}}

|list3b={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Elliot Shaw|pos=SH}}

|list3c={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Tom Siddle|pos=CE|pos2=SO|pos3=SH}}

|list3d={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Jack Skelton|pos=PR}}

|list3e={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=James Snowden|pos=WG}}

|list3f={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Josh Stoker|pos=PR}}

|list3g={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Alex Taylor|pos=SR|pos2=CE}}

|list3h={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Owen Tyler-Cole|pos=PR|pos2=SR}}

|list3i={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Tyler Walton|pos=PR|pos2=LF}}

|list3j={{flagicon|ENG}} {{Rugby league squad player|no= |name=Charlie Yeomans|pos=SO|pos2=SH}}

|coach=Chris Thorman

|assistant=Mick Mantelli

}}

(in alphabetical order){{div col|colwidth=22em|small=yes}}

• 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

{{div col end}}

Also see :Category:Newcastle Thunder coaches

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• 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)

{{div col end}}

:Correct to September 2017 {{cite web|url=http://www.thunderrugby.com/club_info/records__honours|title=Records and Honours|publisher=Newcastle Thunder|access-date=7 September 2017}}

• 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

• Biggest win:

::98-6 v. {{leagueicon|canberra|16}} West Wales (at Kingston Park Stadium, 23 September 2018)

• Biggest defeat:

::132-0 v. {{leagueicon|blackpool|16}} Blackpool (at Memorial Stadium, 16 May 2010)

• Highest all-time attendance:

::6,631 v. {{leagueicon|bradford|16}} Bradford (at Gateshead International Stadium, 16 May 1999)

{{see also|Gateshead Thunder (1999)#Season summary}}

|R6

| ||

|-

|2021

|Championship

|20||7||1||12||431||627||15

|11th

|{{N/A|Did not qualify}}

|R3{{efn|Officially round 1 due to the competitions temporary restructure in 2021.}}

|1895 Cup ||R1

|-

|2022

|Championship

|27||7||1||19||559||877||15

|12th

|{{N/A|Did not qualify}}

|R4

|||

|-

|2023

|Championship

|25||4||1||20||361||862||9

|style="background:#ffdddd"|14th

|{{N/A|Did not qualify}}

|R5

|||

|-

|2024

|League One

|20||0||0||20||190||1124||0

|9th

|{{N/A|Did not qualify}}

|R3

|1895 Cup||{{abbr|GS|Group stage}}

|}

• RFL League 1:

::Winners (1): 2008

• RFL League 1:

::Promotion(1): 2020

::*League 1 Shield:

:::Winners (1): 2016

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.thunderrugby.com/ Newcastle Thunder website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/GatesheadThunder Gateshead Thunder on YouTube]

{{Championship 1}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Newcastle Thunder}}

Category:Rugby league teams in Tyne and Wear

Category:Rugby clubs established in 1999

Category:1999 establishments in England

Category:Gateshead Thunder

Category:Sport in Newcastle upon Tyne