The chairman of Newcastle Thunder, Keith Christie, has reached out to all rugby league fans for assistance in raising the necessary funds to ensure the club’s participation in League 1 next year. Amid financial challenges following their relegation from the Championship, the club is pursuing a three-stage plan to guarantee their place in the sport.
The first indication of trouble came in mid-October when the club announced its withdrawal from League 1 as a result of significant financial difficulties after reverting to a part-time business model. However, the situation has since taken a positive turn with the club receiving encouragement from IMG and subsequently deciding to redirect their efforts towards securing their continued presence in the league.
The Rugby Football League has proposed a nine-club third-tier competition for Newcastle Thunder next season, and the club is making provisions in case this plan does not materialize. Newcastle Thunder recently reported that they are more than 50% towards reaching their funding goal, indicating promising progress.
In their latest update, the club outlined a three-stage plan, comprising the following phases:
Phase One – Admission into League 1, formation of a new company, ownership transfer from Thunder Rugby Ltd to the new company, financial plan confirmation, and compliance with RFL regulations.
Phase Two – Pre-season arrangements, assembling the squad, appointment of a coach and support staff, player recruitment, commencement of pre-season training, confirmation of the home venue, identification of volunteer roles, and announcement of fixtures.
Phase Three – Completion of all matches in League 1, the Challenge Cup, and 1895 Cup, development of partnerships with Super League and Championship clubs, implementation of a commercial program, and commencement of planning for 2025.
Keith Christie emphasised the significance of the first phase, stating, “Without this, the next two parts of the jigsaw don’t happen.” He urged rugby league fans to support the club’s membership programme, which has achieved 40% of its target within just five days of its launch, emphasising the need for more members to come forward. Christie urged fans from the region and beyond to commit to the 2024 season.
While acknowledging the progress in planning for Phases Two and Three, Christie highlighted the critical importance of first securing the finances required for the club to commence the 2024 season. He stated, “Without the finances confirmed, we can’t and won’t start the 2024 season, so Phase One is absolutely critical.”
The looming 2024 season will witness a number of law changes as approved by the RFL, including the introduction of the ‘Six Again’ rule, the addition of an 18th man, and penalties for ‘Reckless’ tackles.
As Newcastle Thunder strives to secure its future in League 1, it is calling upon the support of the wider rugby league community. The club’s commitment to open communication and transparent planning reflects its determination to overcome financial challenges and continue contributing to the sport.