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

IF they and Oldham fold how can the RFL justify two leagues?
far better having two 'conference' type leagues, and then the grand final would mean something.

The RFL need to look seriously at the funding they are providing to clubs below SL if clubs are to survive

It will be a 'good' contrast if they 'save' one and let the other go to the wall.

Sure I`d get over it given time.

times a good healer eh

we know which one they will save but do you remember a few years ago. leigh v oldham in the playoffs nearly 6thousand on at hilton park in the play offs.the powers that be have got no idea'very sad

18-10 win to Leigh in that semi-final if I recall, I know Ando scored one try, could have been two though...

we lost the game to oldham then we lost the game to widnes in front off about 7thou

Parky was talking about the year before, when we lost to Dewsbury 13-12.

The season after we walked the league and lost to both Oldham (15-14?) and Widnes (25-18?), in fron of crowds some SL teams would be jealous of.

that is the season you refer to. A heatbreaking season after bogging the league by 9 clear points !!