Newcastle Thunder

[Rovers13]

Didn’t think it was a big deal tbh jonny, odsal is only worth 10p anyway

[Gooleboy]

2 hours ago, Barley Mow said:

They've already agreed on how they will be calculated. Other than checking the maths has been done right, what will there be to agree?

That they are all happy with it. They do have a bit of form when it comes to self preservation!

[GeordieSaint]

Still hope?

[Barley Mow]

4 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

Still hope?

Fantastic news!

If anyone has any involvement with these efforts and there is anything that can be done to support them, please do post on here. I'm sure there would be lots of us willing to do what we can.

Edited October 19, 2023 by Barley Mow

[Barley Mow]

From the club's statement today:

"We remain committed to trying to make the start line for the 2024 season.

To our supporters who want to find out about how we can all help the club survive – we’d like to invite you to attend a commitment meeting in the 1877 bar at Kingston Park Stadium on Tuesday 24th Oct at 18:00.

It’s going to take a big effort from everyone but with the support of our great fans and sponsors we believe we can help turn Newcastle Thunder into a sustainable club and retain a pathway for the talented players within the region to flourish."

[GeordieSaint]

Really hope they make it…

[Damien]

14 minutes ago, GeordieSaint said:

Still hope?

That sounds like plenty of fans have been pushing the club to keep it going. Good on all those that have been pushing behind the scenes to save their club.

This really should have been part of the first statement rather than just the fait accompli that it was.

[Toby Chopra]

28 minutes ago, Damien said:

That sounds like plenty of fans have been pushing the club to keep it going. Good on all those that have been pushing behind the scenes to save their club.

This really should have been part of the first statement rather than just the fait accompli that it was.

I do feel there's a massive conflict of interest here.

Kurdi has decided that he can't/won't throw the necessary resources at Thunder to make them a success at the top level. Fair enough, we've seen how much that really costs and it's in the millions.

But having decided that, it feels like he wants to kill the club off entirely lest it canibalises in any way his main rugby businesses - the Falcons - which we know are in terrible financial straights.

This can't be allowed to happen. There's room for a rugby league club in Newcastle (or Gateshead) at some sort of level, and now Kurdi's given up on that it should be for rugby league people to decide how that happens.

[Neutralfan7]

No need for a re-structure now if they're aiming still to play. Knee jerk reaction.

[İzmir Rugby League]

I felt this would happen, Gateshead people fought for their club for years, I did not see them throwing in the towel so easily. 

[Nate90]

Wow I hope they pull through

[Anita Bath]

In, out, in out, shake it all about. RFL need to have a clear date for clubs to make their commitment. Last year we had worst wales pulling out a matter of weeks before the season after the fixtures had been released and season tickets/memberships/sponsorships sold. 

Laughing stock RFL.

[sheddingswasus]

It smells of the west Wales mess last year. Personally I would make them regroup for 2025 and ensure they are fully prepared. 

[Rovers13]

I think it will all depend on todays meeting, if they’re staying as a league one club they won’t come back imo. 

[sheddingswasus]

The statement says “trying”  

tThey have meeting planned for next week?

It just isn’t fair on existing clubs trying to plan for next season. 
 

[Rovers13]

4 minutes ago, sheddingswasus said:

The statement says “trying”  

tThey have meeting planned for next week?

It just isn’t fair on existing clubs trying to plan for next season. 
 

We should get more clarity around 5pm, whether league one is staying or not so all clubs should be able to plan from 6pm tonight. But I just don’t see what would have to change for champ clubs to change their minds from last vote, can’t just put em in a rooM again with same vote because it will be no again. 

Edited October 19, 2023 by Rovers13

[Griff]

1 hour ago, Anita Bath said:

In, out, in out, shake it all about. RFL need to have a clear date for clubs to make their commitment. Last year we had worst wales pulling out a matter of weeks before the season after the fixtures had been released and season tickets/memberships/sponsorships sold. 

Laughing stock RFL.

What nonsense!

How do you suggest the RFL could have forced West Wales to compete ?

What "commitment" do you expect them to make?

"Are you in?"

"Yes"

"Err, no.  We're pulling out."

[Gerrumonside ref]

Hearing that there will be a rebrand as part of the comeback from the grave:

Newcastle Thundertakers

[DoubleD]

6 hours ago, sheddingswasus said:

It smells of the west Wales mess last year. Personally I would make them regroup for 2025 and ensure they are fully prepared. 

Will never happen. As soon as you have a fallow year, interest wanes, staff are released. You’re effectively starting a club from scratch. Their best hope is finding some solution for 2024 

[Anita Bath]

On 19/10/2023 at 20:55, Griff said:

What nonsense!

How do you suggest the RFL could have forced West Wales to compete ?

What "commitment" do you expect them to make?

"Are you in?"

"Yes"

"Err, no.  We're pulling out."

Er no….if Newcastle decide to pull out then they would not be able to suddenly change their mind ….maybe and come back in…maybe, well maybe not.

How many of their playing squad have already signed for other clubs? What sort of a team will they be able to put out? How are clubs supposed to be pricing season tickets when no one is quite sure whether newcastle will be out….or in. 

It is pure amateurish, and thats an insult to the amateur game. In the last 9 months we have had one club pull out after having announced fixtures, another fail to complete their fixtures and a third saying they would not play next season but now going back on that and saying well maybe…they might play.

Try getting sponsorships in that mess.

[Griff]

8 minutes ago, Anita Bath said:

Er no….if Newcastle decide to pull out then they would not be able to suddenly change their mind ….maybe and come back in…maybe, well maybe not.

 

That's a completely different scenario to that which you posed in your last post.

But either way, to blame the RFL is just scapegoating.  Any fault lies entirely with the club concerned.

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

On 19/10/2023 at 13:53, sheddingswasus said:

It smells of the west Wales mess last year. Personally I would make them regroup for 2025 and ensure they are fully prepared. 

I missed that 

Was there an attempted Phoenix club at West Wales?

[Phil W]

5 hours ago, Anita Bath said:

Er no….if Newcastle decide to pull out then they would not be able to suddenly change their mind ….maybe and come back in…maybe, well maybe not.

How many of their playing squad have already signed for other clubs? What sort of a team will they be able to put out? How are clubs supposed to be pricing season tickets when no one is quite sure whether newcastle will be out….or in. 

It is pure amateurish, and thats an insult to the amateur game. In the last 9 months we have had one club pull out after having announced fixtures, another fail to complete their fixtures and a third saying they would not play next season but now going back on that and saying well maybe…they might play.

Try getting sponsorships in that mess.

Thanks for the support.

Given we know very little at the moment, personally I'm happy to have the chance of a meeting and a chance to keep rugby league alive at this level in the north east.

The statement put out by the club is sensible and makes no promises or big statements just gives a chance. 

[Phil W]

See below from Mick Hogan. If anyone has any ideas or wants to show support then use the email address.

[Griff]

If Mick Hogan is back, that can only be a good sign.