History of the Club

Recent and Current

After the resignation of Paul Fletcher, the board appointed former Halifax and Ireland player Seamus McCallion as head coach.

A more crucial signing in many respects was off the pitch, however. Former Durham Cricket Chairman, and head of Century FM Bill Midgely joined the board, bringing with him a vast experience of commercial sport. Midgely, who is also head of the British Chambers of Commerce, replaced Phyllis Thorman as Chairman of the club in May 2004.

2005 saw the arival of Dean Thomas as head coach at Gateshead. Dean was able to strengthen the squad, bringing a multi-national flavour to rugby on Tyneside as he recruited players from Australia, the West Indies, Fiji and several other locations. The strategy paid off, and Thomas guided Thunder into their first-ever play-off berth, before they eventually bowed out at Workington.

Off the field, the club underwent a restructuring, with new investment coming from Essex-based financier Neil MacPherson. The club returned to the status of a limited company, with three directors. Continuity on the pitch was maintined however, with Dean Thomas continuing as coach for 2006.

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