GATESHEAD START OVER AGAIN
James Vukmirovic takes a look at thunders' season so far

THE season in the Northern Ford Premiership is just past the halfway stage. Gateshead Thunder Mark II are at the bottom without a league win and with no points to show for their efforts.

But, if you believe this and think the club are dying on their feet and are completely hopeless at the game of Rugby League, then you would be totally wrong. The team have shown promise at times in the season against some of the best teams outside of Super League, (teams which include Dewsbury Rams and Widnes Vikings).

In addition, several players have begun to shine through (which include, before his broken leg, Scrum-half Martin Gambles, Winger Wes McGibbon and the current Scrum-half Carl Briggs). This has helped a club still coming to terms with life in the NFP, as well as some terrible refereeing in some games. There has also been a lack of coverage from the local media apart from work done for several publications by local reporter Jeff Bowron.

Although the Thunder have struggled this year, they have won a game against Wigan St Judes in the Cup, and also have the support of the excellent supporters group, the Thunder Army. They also have a full time commitment from the chairman Steve Worsnop and a coach whose last job was coaching Ireland in the World Cup, Andy Kelly. On top of this they also have the excellent facilities that "The Thunderdome" Gateshead International Stadium provides.

The Thunder claps are quiet at the moment, but they will get louder as time goes by.