Newcastle Thunder, who finished bottom of the Betfred Championship in the season just ended, have confirmed to the RFL and in a statement on their own club website that they will not take part in next season’s Betfred League One competition, to which they were relegated with Keighley Cougars.
Following the withdrawal of West Wales Raiders before the start of the 2023 season, and that of London Skolars more recently, there are now only eight clubs in League One, namely Cornwall, Hunslet, Keighley Cougars, Midlands Hurricanes, North Wales Crusaders, OLDHAM. Rochdale Hornets and Workington Town.
According to a statement on the RFL website, Thunder have made assurances that they will fulfil contractual obligations to players and staff.
The statement also confirmed that a meeting has already been arranged for other clubs to consider the impact of Newcastle’s withdrawal.
Roughyeds, who issued their own statement when London Skolars pulled out, are expected to respond to this latest situation in due course.
