Would you believe BBC Radio Newcastle are offering commentary (albeit online only) of tomorrows match from Darlington - even though Darlington is outside its broadcast area. Should be a cracking tie that. RL Commentary Links: wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/in ... page_id=55

Would you believe BBC Radio Newcastle are offering commentary (albeit online only) of tomorrows match from Darlington - even though Darlington is outside its broadcast area. Should be a cracking tie that. RL Commentary Links: wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/in ... page_id=55

the decision to play it at Darlington hasn't got much publicity on here, but i think its a good move, Darlington has a poorly attended football team who are about to go bust...there's a potential for RL to attract some fans in the area

Newcastle Council infuence radio in preperation for 2011 Magic Weekend shocker!

It's got quite a bit in Darlington though.

It should be a great match I hope there is a decent crowd there to appreciate it!

Well the stadium is big enough, takes about 27000, but is limited to 10000 capacity due to planning regs.

Thunder are within Gateshead MBC

And hopefully the winner is rewarded with a televised quarter final tie

unlikely

Be nice bit can't see the Beeb putting a very one sided game on TV. Let's be honest the Gateshead defence isn't very tight at the best of times.

who won?

Gateshead.

929 crowd. Gateshead 34- Oldham 16

Thats not at all bad, definitely something to build on

The biggest thing to happen to the club in years!!

Since the RFL killed them?

Well good luck to them in the quarter finals. Perhaps they could use the Darlington Arena occaiasionally for "big" games? Sounds like it went well?

Editted for acuracy

An option for the Championship playoffs? It has a cap of 25,000 but limited to 10,000 for regular footie games and can be raised for one offs.

Darlington FC are on the verge of going into liquidation. Most of their players have been released and nobody seems interesting in buying the club. I don't think it's a coincidence that Thunder have decided to move a game there now. Since the attempt to "move in" at kingston park failed (something to do with stadium use regulations?) are gateshead now re-focusing their efforts on establishing a base in Darlington?

Obviously, the Intl. Stadium is a top facility but, and I think Thunder will be the first to agree, it's not as fit for purpose as, say the darlo arena or kingston park. Could Darlington become the new base for Thunder? Newcastle is football mad city and not the ideal backdrop against which to attempt to build a fan base. Darlington, on the other hand, is the home of a much less successful football team (They averaged 3,800 in the fourth tier of English football last season) that just so happens to play in a stadium perfect for Rugby League.

Could we see a Darlington based "County Durham Thunder" taking their place in Super League 2012?

The capacity is limited to 10,000 by local planning regulations. It's still a good idea but might be more difficult get the entire stadium open than you think.

It's a bizarre situation really and a terrible waste of a great stadium.

Only because of the access roads, they have had regular events where the capacity has been lifted, Elton John played there to close to 40000 punters, so for showpiece games it wouldn't be too much hassle.

With fantastic rail links to all parts of the north it would be a great place if they thought about bringing the championship finals over the hills.

Oh and plenty would say that by playing in Gateshead, Thunder were already playing in County Durham.

Does the stadium belong to the soccer club? If it does, it'll count as part of their assets and would possibly be sold off for development to help pay the debts.

Can't build houses on it due to a covenant on the land, too close to A66 and train lines too.

Besides it is a new all seater stadium, they ain't gonna pull that down.

Who does own it, the football club? Yes it's a nice stadium but can't see Thunder Uprooting and moving there full time? How far is it from the nearest Railway Station? Possibly be good for them to play the odd "big game" there?