Newcastle Thunder re-admitted to RFL Betfred League One competition

Newcastle Thunder can today confirm that their application to re-join the Betfred League One competition has been accepted by the Rugby Football League.

Newcastle Thunder can today confirm that their application to re-join the Betfred League One competition has been accepted by the Rugby Football League. The club’s previous owners, Newcastle Rugby Ltd, had indicated that they would not enter a team for 2024 in a statement made back in September. Since then a group of volunteers, led by Chairman Keith Christie, has worked tirelessly to form a new company and satisfy all the conditions required for re-admittance to the RFL’s third tier.

Thunder had provisionally confirmed that their coach from last season, Chris Thorman, will lead the team again in 2024. The club have also agreed terms to use Kingston Park Stadium as their home venue for the forthcoming campaign. Work has now already commenced on player and backroom staff signings, matchday operational requirements, commercial agreements, recruiting volunteers and a further push on memberships.

Thunder will kick off their season on Saturday 27^th January at home against York RFLC in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. The opening match in Betfred League One will be on 17^th March versus Hunslet RLFC, at Kingston Park Stadium. Thunder will also compete in the Betfred Challenge Cup, entering the competition in the third round to be played in February.

Speaking about the club receiving the greenlight to compete in 2024 Thunder Chairman Keith Christie said: “This is fantastic news for the club and I’d like to thank everyone who has enabled Newcastle Thunder to get to the start line in 2024. Things looked pretty bleak just three months ago but the groundswell of support for the club and the outstanding work of a number of volunteers has resulted in today’s announcement.

“We would like to thank the Rugby Football League who have been very clear in the conditions that would need to be met for our re-admittance to the professional ranks. They have assisted us as much as they could and that support along with the considerable efforts of our volunteers, fans and sponsors has resulted in us having a season to look forward to in 2024.

“There’s plenty more hard work to come now to ensure we are competitive next season. We now need all the fans who signed up to be members to confirm their commitment to the club and we will be in touch early in 2024 to process the first instalment of their memberships. I’m sure they will be as excited as we all are to see Thunder once again competing in 2024.”

Speaking about the announcement the RFL’s Chief Executive Tony Sutton said: “In confirming the RFL’s approval of the change of control of Newcastle Thunder RLFC, and therefore welcoming them to Betfred League One for the 2024 season and also the Betfred Challenge Cup and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup, we also congratulate Keith Christie, Jordan Robinson and the many other passionate Rugby League supporters in the North East who have made this possible.

“I know this view will be shared by other clubs and supporters across the sport who have enjoyed travelling to Newcastle to watch Rugby League over the last three decades, and will look forward to the prospect of returning to Kingston Park in 2024.”

Fans who haven’t already signed up to become members can do so by clicking here 

For further media enquiries please contact newcastlethunder@gmail.com