Phil W

We know it's going to be a tough season for us at Thunder. In previous games we've been in the fight first half then tailed off second. It's a reversal this week!

Oldham, Crusaders and Workington this week. Although Rochdale might fancy a scalp at Workington. From a Thunder perspective we played well first half last week I just want to see us in the fight for longer each week.

So he's been sentenced to a loan spell at Odsal then.

I'll be at Thunder and being completely realistic I want to see us be in the fight for longer as our results at Hunslet and Midlands suggest we have been first half. Other than that I expect Oldham to win and the other two games could be quite tight but will go for Keighley and North Wales.

Completely get that but we have to start somewhere. A European Championships Nations League would give promotion and relegation and guarantee matches. Yes England would dominate for a while but it's frustrating to see the can being kicked down the road. Netherlands, Serbia, Greece and Malta to name some are doing more at the moment. If that's our foundation, let's be patient and build it!

My frustration is we're waiting on others but this goes from year to year and the wait continues. If what we have to do as England Is starting somewhere with a European Championships and build it then so be it. But waiting and waiting can't go on.

If we hadn't have gone again this year I don't think we would've gone next year to be honest. We have to keep backing the team, we knew it would be difficult and it is.

I know I live on another planet at times in the world of what's feasible. But it would be great to have a Championship and League One broadcast deal. It would give Midlands a chance to showcase their new stadium to a base, us at Thunder a chance to try and grab an untapped audience and with Sean Long at Oldham a real look at their resurgence. That's just three teams, there'll be more stories out there. At the very least us League One clubs should be allowed to offer a streaming service. I'd also like to see some Championship on terrestrial, I've enjoyed watching it over the last couple of seasons since Covid despite Thunders woes. It's a good league to watch and I would watch it on the red button on BBC or wherever. I guess I'm a bit frustrated that as we come into a new IMG era as a game we're not grasping at chances to generate new audiences and streaming is definitely one of those ways.

Given the League One season is now underway and appreciate there's been server issues on the site @John Drake could we be moved to the League One section?

One point for me on this and I'm not condoning contact with an official. But when Alex Foster was at Thunder he got an eight match ban for making contact with an official. In real time it didn't look that bad. So eight games for this seems lenient in comparison.

Well done to Wakefield, they've turned up and done their job in a professional way, as a Thunder fan I wouldn't expect any different. I know most will be aware, our start off the back of two weeks pre-season has been York, Sheffield and Wakefield it doesn't get much tougher. We are starting from scratch trying to be sustainable. As a club we have to stick together. What I would like is if people can make Thunder their second team as it will be tough but we do feel the goodwill of the rugby league family. Support us if you're near where we're playing or share and like anything on social media. There is an option to buy a £50 membership online.

Reckon the Wakefield squad need three weeks off to make sure they're ok for the season proper. Just remember our pitch at Thunder is artificial so probably best resting players for that one!

Just a quick one to say thanks for the support, as I've posted elsewhere previously we know it's going to be tough this season. The lads who played yesterday have had three training sessions together and we have literally started from scratch. I understand the comments re not a good look for the game but also appreciate there is a lot of goodwill towards us which is appreciated. We are trying to build something that is sustainable, we have no backer to fall back on anymore. So we're not going to get everything right and volunteers are now a huge part of the club. This is with the aim of keeping rugby league alive in the north east. Again I get people argue we have had magic and the World Cup but that's done now and we have to concentrate on the here and now. If you're in the north east or know anyone who is encourage them to get to Kingston Park. If we're at a ground near you then please come and support us. We know there's a lot of goodwill. I know social media is divisive with IMG but please share, like and comment on anything we post as you doing that genuinely helps raising awareness of rugby league. That's the bigger picture beyond IMG fandom points! As a club we'll stick together and get behind everyone as we do want to keep rugby league alive in the north east. That wasn't as quick as I thought!

There'll be a squad out but very young and inexperienced. I believe the first training session was last Thursday and these games have come too soon to be honest. So will be used to have a look at players. Given we've got to the start line that's the main thing for us, we know York and Wakefield will be really tough games.

There was a fans meeting on Monday night and we were told that we have around 29 players being a mix of last year's academy, some younger squad players, university students and some others. We have kit which to be fair is very smart. Being honest the Cup has come far too early for us and these games will be more around preseason and having a look at players, as fans we're happy to have a team on the pitch given where we were a couple of months ago. The main thing is those who had pledged membership and season tickets is that they pay as we're heavily reliant on fans money.

Hi everyone, we've had a fans meeting at Thunder tonight. Tickets are on sale for our game against York on the front page of our website. You may have to be a bit patient as we're starting from scratch but for those who want to buy you can in advance.

From what I understand it'll be a young squad made up of students from Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham. There was talk of a possible open trial. We could see some of last year's locally based players back potentially but to be honest it's all a bit of guess work!

Agreed that Cornwall should have a place in the 1895.

Basically as I understand it Keith Christie and Jordan Robinson will be shareholders. Fans will be paying a monthly membership or pay for a season ticket which will bring in a budget. Other income is coming from sponsorship. We will be living within our means. We're being realistic here and know this season is going to be tough but it's more about keeping rugby league alive in the north east. As things stand we have a ground, a Head Coach in Chris Thorman and some volunteers who have got us to this point. There's a lot of work to be done now. If anyone's in the Newcastle area for any reason come and take in a game at Kingston Park, you'll be made welcome.

Just confirmed by The RFL, we've been accepted for 2024, great news!

I was at the meeting last night and a lot of credit has to go to those that have got us this far. People who genuinely love the sport and didn't want to lose it and are doing this while working full time. From a fan's perspective I just want to see a team on the pitch representing the north east, there will be bumps along the way but as long as we make it we have a team to watch!

Jonah Lomu

That was one of the biggest points made to us and why we are targeting our own fans first as we don't want to be in this situation this time next year. Part of this process is going to the RFL with a viable business plan. Whatever we do has to not only be sustainable now but for the future.

Coach Lane Campus is the only ground mentioned so far. But that does tie in with Northumbria University and their very successful university team. Really at the moment it's a case of giving ourselves a chance of playing in League One.

Fully agree. Think most can agree the choice of Leeds and Huddersfield is bad planning.