Rugby League: League One club Gateshead change name to Newcastle Thunder
Tuesday 20 January 2015 13:13, UK
League One side Gateshead Thunder have formally changed their name to Newcastle Thunder and plan to move home to Kingston Park.
The changes, which have been approved by the Rugby Football League, follows the recent takeover by the Aviva Premiership club.
The club have applied to Newcastle City Council to switch their home games from Gateshead's International Stadium, which has been their base since their formation as a Super League club in 1999, to the home of partner club Newcastle Falcons.
It will see professional rugby league return to Newcastle for the first time in 77 years. Newcastle Rugby League FC entered the league in 1936, playing two seasons before folding.
Thunder chairman Bill Midgley said: "With the purchase last year of the club by Newcastle Rugby Ltd, the proposed move to Kingston Park and the support of the city council for rugby league the name change is both logical and the next step in our evolution.
"We have retained the name Thunder as this recognises the history of the club. The International Stadium is a fine venue but we have struggled at times over the past couple of seasons to secure the facilities there for playing and training.
"The move to Newcastle means that every training session can be on the 3G pitch at Kingston Park. We will be looking to host games not just for the Thunder first team but our junior squads as well.
"With the Super League Magic Weekend coming to St James Park in Newcastle, it promises to be a high profile year for the sport in the north east."
