Newcastle Falcons RU confirm bid to buy Gateshead Thunder

[DIEHARD]

Newcastle Falcons confirm bid to buy Gateshead Thunder

Newcastle Falcons owner Semore Kurdi says he is waiting to hear whether or not the offer to buy Gateshead Thunder rugby league club has been accepted.

The Journal revealed two weeks ago that the Premiership rugby union club were looking to acquire the Championship One rugby league outfit, with the eventual aim of moving them into their Kingston Park home.

Kurdi stopped short of elaborating on the stadium switch but, speaking at a Falcons’ fans forum this week, did for the first time confirm the intended purchase.

He said, when asked about The Journal’s revelation of a bid to unite the two clubs: “There is not too much to say on it.

“We have made an offer for purchasing Gateshead Thunder.

“We have no immediate plans to merge, bring them here or anything like that, and it is too early to say it is a done deal.

“We have not formally had an acceptance yet.” Insisting there will be little or no cross-pollenation between the two codes, he added: “I don’t see any cross-code benefits to the playing department.

“The idea would be to study any synergies we might have, particularly off-field. It might be ticketing, strength and conditioning, marketing etc. But there will be virtually no difference in any of the playing or Newcastle Falcons things at all.”

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/ru...id-buy-6854075

[DIEHARD]

Newcastle Falcons unite rugby codes in Gateshead Thunder takeover

Professional rugby in the North East has been united under one umbrella, Newcastle Falcons taking over Gateshead Thunder rugby league club.

The Chronicle revealed back in March how the Falcons were seeking to acquire Gateshead, the Premiership rugby union outfit today revealing they have managed to nail down a controlling stake in the Championship One side with immediate effect.

Thunder will see out the remainder of their current season at Gateshead International Stadium before assessing their options on a longer-term home, opening up the possibility of a move to Kingston Park for the 2015 campaign.

The Falcons have already revealed their intention to install a synthetic pitch in time for August’s Premiership 7s pending a planning application, a move which would make year-round rugby a possibility.

Head coach Stanley Gene will remain in charge of the Gateshead side in his first season since taking over from Kevin Neighbour, Thunder currently sitting seventh out of nine teams in the third tier of English rugby league.

Gateshead had one season in the top-flight Super League back in 1999, finishing a creditable sixth in the table before a ‘merger’ saw them relocating to Hull.

Reborn under the Gateshead Thunder name in 2000 the club has spent the past decade in the second and third tiers, enjoying a close partnership with Hull Kingston Rovers.

Gene’s day job is as assistant coach to the Super League side, who have a number of players involved with the Gateshead squad.

The Papua New Guinean was on Tyneside today as the Falcons’ takeover was officially revealed, sharing the stage with Newcastle’s director of rugby Dean Richards and officials from both clubs.

Newcastle already have rugby league pedigree within their ranks, although a cross-over in playing and coaching resources is understood not to feature heavily in either clubs’ plans.

Ex-Great Britain rugby league full-back Graham Steadman is currently Newcastle’s defence coach, while former Super League winner and England rugby league wing Lee Smith is among the Falcons’ playing squad.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/