Thunder Storm Information

Thunder Storm was set up on a dark November night in November 1999, it's original brief was to lobby the RFL for the re-inclusion of Gateshead Thunder back in to Super League. Over the course of the next couple of months the Thunder Storm Committee tried their best to convince the RFL that a Gateshead Super League team was a viable proposition. This unfortunately failed, however this wasn't the end of Thunder Storm or Gateshead Thunder for that matter. During 2000 Thunder Storm continued lobbying the RFL and made some very public appearances at various Super League games culminating with an appearance at Challenge Cup final in 2000. The RFL relented and Gateshead Thunder entered that seasons Northern Ford Premiership. After a successful 2009 and Championship survival for Gateshead Thunder, Professional Rugby League in the North East of England was dealt a huge blow when a shareholder dispute at Thunder caused the clubs future to become very uncertain. Following a successful rescue package being ratified by the RFL, Thunder Storm became a Supporters Direct recognised Supporters Co-operative Trust during 2010. This was followed by a very generous offer from Gateshead Thunder to become a shareholder in the newly created Community Club. Thunder Storm hold a maximum allowed holding of 20 shares in Gateshead Thunder, which gives the trust exactly the same share holding as Managing Director Keith Christie, Community Director Chris Hood and other Directors of Gateshead Thunder.