Rugby league may have been played in the North East since the early 20th century, but Gateshead Thunder were not formed until 1999 and life has been tough in their short history.

Wallsend RFC played for a few seasons in the early years of the Northern Union and a Newcastle side played for a season at the White City Sports Stadium, but they did not rejoin after the Second World War.

However, midway through the 1998 Super League campaign Gateshead became a franchise ahead of Welsh sides Cardiff and Swansea.

Despite a difficult start Australian coach Shaun McRae guided them to home and away victories over Lancashire giants St Helens and then a win over Wigan saw them finish sixth in the League, two points off a play-off spot.

However, financial troubles meant the club were forced to merge with Hull Sharks in 1999 and become Hull FC.

Fans opposed the decision, but the protests were unsuccessful and the club was re-formed as Gateshead Thunder and accepted into the Northern Ford Premiership in 2000.

This move did not end their problems, though, and in 2002 coach Andy Kelly and 15 players were released as the club went into administration.

Businessman Mike Jeffels took over Gateshead with his company Kicks Leisure, but eight games into the 2003 season he withdrew and the young and inexperienced side finished bottom of the division.

A group of fans then saved the club and persuaded the Rugby Football League to let them enter National League Two.

Their persistence was rewarded in 2008 when Thunder were unbeaten for much of the season and they won promotion to National League One.