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When it comes to rules the RL do what they want its a disgrace
look what happened when London Broncos went tits up few years ago they started up again kept the points they had won under the Broncos name
its a shambles so ---- its laughable

Is this not something we did with SCL, don't remember us getting points deduction or relegated. Except I don't think we took the debts on.
Sure someone on here will correct me

I think we did, but the RFL also changed the rules after the London farce to stop it happening again.

As far as I can see this is a boardroom and shareholder funding issue and shouldn't reflect their status on the pitch provided they pay their bills. If there is a money man there and he doesn't use this situation to leave staff, suppliers, and the Revenue high and dry then I've not really got a problem with it, provided they've spent 2009 playing to the same rules and got the same funding opportunity as the rest of us.

Just read the other thread on their forum and it says theres a meeting on Fri with the RFL................... www./forums/index. ... 926.0.html

Just read the other thread on their forum and it says theres a meeting on Fri with the RFL................... www./forums/index. ... 926.0.html

I have read some of the post on the other site and was a bit dismayed when Rumpole wrote "so what its only a 3 game loss" refering to the possible 9 points deduction,i understand why some have posted on here the same thing should it happen to us, as its not much of a deterant especially if you have a decent squad,you can easily pull it back.

I would suggest it's not so clear cut (in the Championship) as Leigh well know. For reference there were just 10 points seperating Leigh and Sheffield - who finished third. Every point is crucial.

Yes i can see that but its just the way the punishment is looked upon ,i dont think they will be to bothered if they are given the -9 points unless that is they lose some of their signings but who is to say they wont do it again next season just to stay in the championship or would that be a definate no no.

Talking to a Leigh friend of mine about your season, its crazy to get relegated having the amount of point you did, he said the bonus point thing didnt help at all.

Hopefully you guys will stay up as he was talking about the cap for the lower league and it a stupid small number.

Dont think we will stay up we have been told we are down and that is that but thanks for the support matey

It is going to be a catch 22 situation.

Gatesead to start at -9 and get thumped week in and week out, and Leigh to walk champ 1, or do the right thing and demote Gateshead due to biting off more they can chew in their bid to stay in the Championship.

It really is a no brainer to the common person, but if we looked at the bigger picture, a non competative Gatehead in the Championship will be the nail in the coffin. At least they can be competative in C1.

They will never get average gates of 1k or more. Its a poor expansion area dominated by the round ball.

I wish them luck, but every Leigh fan is right to have a chip on their shoulder, especially with the rules for one, and not for the other scenario!

I do feel that Leigh fans have a right to be aggrieved. We've been relegated despite finishing above one team who hasn't been relegated, and a team that narrowly finished above us may be going into administration just a few weeks after the season has finished. However, we shouldn't dwell on these things. Leigh Rugby Club needs to get it's own house in order. We've been in steady decline for a few years now, and last season was the icing on the cake. We need to play with the cards we are dealt with and try to move forwards again.

To be fair to Gateshead - if the administration is simply technical as a way of changing the shareholding structure of the club, and players, creditors et al are not short-changed, then they should not be deducted 9 points - its not a bankruptcy.

However if they do stay in Championship it looks like they have a very long season ahead even starting from zero. Crowds will dwindle below their already pitiful levels. If Dewsbury or Keighley fail to be competetive then relegation positions could be decided early and it will make our "relegation" points totals look very impressive.

Little consolation for Leigh fans though I must say!

McCormack has now officially resigned.

Robbed from the VT... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.thunderrugby.com/news_article.php?id=252

Robbed from the VT... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.thunderrugby.com/news_article.php?id=252

just been put on there too................

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ForumThunder TVPhotosLinksGarsides Act to Wind Up Holding Company
Tuesday 20th October 2009

Gateshead Thunder Directors, Steven and Sarah Garside, have taken the decision to commence proceedings to wind up Gateshead & Newcastle Rugby Limited, the holding company of the professional rugby league club. This decision was reached following a long running shareholder dispute. The long standing supporters of rugby league in the North East have been unable to secure agreed funding from majority shareholder Neil McPherson. McPherson holds 60% of the shares on behalf of 3 companies, including Jensen Button Management Limited.

Steven Garside explained:

"The shareholders met 3 years ago and agreed a 3 year strategy. At that time, the third shareholder, Bill Midgley, decided to take a back seat role. However, Neil and I agreed to continue funding. We were both to invest £60k pa and it is fair to say that I have spent much more than that. Neil provided the agreed funding in Year One but I have not seen the £60k owed for each of Years Two and Three. I have met debts on an ongoing basis but it became clear at the recent shareholder meeting that the agreed funding would not be forthcoming.

It appeared that I - as only a 20% minority shareholder - was expected to meet all of the club's funding needs, whilst the major shareholder could avoid any funding commitments. That was not acceptable to me. I had hoped to find a solution with the RFL but Sarah and I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we should pass the baton on to someone else. It is disappointing on the weekend that Jensen Button won the World Championship that the rugby league club with connections to him was facing such a troubling future.

Gateshead Thunder are already in negotiations with the RFL to secure their future and Chief Executive, Rod Findlay, is meeting with RFL representatives today (Wednesday). A "Plan B" is being worked up to build on the excellent support the local community and businesses have shown Thunder in 2009.

Findlay stated:

"First, I'd like to thank the Garsides for the support they have shown for 4 or 5 years. I am sure they will always be welcome at Thunder. I have enjoyed working with them this year and Steve has taught me so much. You have to have sympathy for the position he has found himself in - a minority shareholder but sole investor - and we should all remember the great developments we have seen since Steve and Sarah became involved.

However, Thunder has faced many challenges over its 10 year history and I am sure Thunder will come through this - perhaps a little battered and a little bruised but ready for the next challenge. I have a great staff and they have really pulled together in difficult circumstances to prepare a draft business plan to take to the RFL. My role now is to secure Thunder's future and to preserve as many jobs as possible.

I was really touched by one player e-mailing me to say that Thunder was his club and he wanted to play for us at whatever level. I won't name him to save his blushes but that is a perfect example of the loyalty this club enjoys. 2010 might not be the season we were preparing for but we will be on the starting line, I am confident."

Gateshead Thunder will make a further announcement once its business plan has been approved by the RFL

i'm sorry if i'm missing something here but why dont those who should have put 120k into the club just put the money in and then the problem is sorted.after all they cant be short of money

Kick em out I say

I bet the Garsides would like to know

THe RFL will bail them out no worries

Its another club who cant apply for the next round of SL licences though

And the relevance to leigh is ?

None

if we were to be reinstated because of all this mess would you not feel a little embarressed because of how bad we were

jumping in bed with the wrong partner springs to mind