History of the Club

Fans to the Rescue

The hastily formed management committee was successful in persuading the RFL to allow Gateshead Thunder to enter National League Two. A business case based on the funding provided by the Members Club, Lottery and matchday income only was accepted by the governing body. The business case was still £8-10,000 short of the bare minimum requirements of running the club for the rest of the season, and a series of fundraising efforts were organised to bridge the gap

The new era of Thunder Mark IV was ushered in by Gateshead's Arriva Trains Cup victory over Workington Town at the club's temporary home of Gateshead Fell. This win, the club's first in almost two years, proved to be the catalyst for further league wins away from home over York and Swinton, propelling the phoenix club to the heady heights of third in the table.

Fundraising efforts such as an abseil of the Tyne Bridge, bucket collections at Super League Clubs and charity auctions all helped, and by the end of the 2003 season the board were able to announce that they had finished the year in the black, with all debts paid. Sponsorship from local companies also played a vital part in this success

On the field however, the situation deteriorated from an initially bright start, and long serving coach Paul Fletcher tendered his resignation after the loss to London Skolars. The season, and Fletch's reign, ended on high, with a fantastic performance against eventual League Champions Keighley Cougars

• Part six: The Future