Last updated 11:43, Friday, 15 August 2008

GATESHEAD Thunder will complete one of the most remarkable transformations of modern times if they take at least a point from Workington Town on Sunday.

Try king: Ex-Brow winger Stewart Sanderson is one of NL2’s leading scorers this season

Already assured of promotion to NL1, they will be crowned champions if they finish within 12 points of Town and secure at least a bonus point at Derwent Park.

It should be a close tussle, but on current form, they will fancy their chances.

Gateshead finished next-to-bottom of NL2 last season, in Dave Woods’ first year in charge, with only perennial strugglers Blackpool preventing them from propping up the table.

Their points difference in 2007 was a whopping minus 441. They have already collected an additional 32 competition points on the league ladder this term with two games to play.

I used to dread travelling to Gateshead year-after-year when they featured in Haven’s early-season Northern Rail Cup group.

Haven were more or less always guaranteed a win with a minimum of fuss in the cavernous International Athletics Stadium. There was little challenge and even less atmosphere in the ‘Thunderdome.’

Thunder boasted fantastically loyal fans. The problem was they were too few in number.

I’m sure it’s a fantastic facility when packed to the rafters with athletics fans, but the stadium lacked something with only a couple of hundred Geordie diehard RL supporters in attendance.

Sadly, on soccer-mad Tyneside, the locals have failed to flock to the Gateshead banner despite their superb upturn in fortune. Only 383 fans witnessed their 44-22 win over improving Blackpool, which saw them clinch the first promotion in their history last weekend.

They will surely hope for a big rise next term, when they are re-branded and move to Kingston Park, the home of NewcastleFalcons.

All RL fans with an interest in the game’s expansion should wish them luck. The Falcons have shown there is an appetite for an oval-ball game in the north-east, albeit for the 15-a-side variety, so far. Let’s hope Thunder can exploit the potential.

Woods must be favourite for every coaching award on offer this year. In addition to recruiting fresh overseas talent, he spotted the potential of Wath Brow winger Stewart Sanderson, one of NL2’s leading try-scorers this term.

Can lightning strike twice and will Thunder be one of the leading contenders in League one next season?

Probably not, but they won’t be the walkover they’ve proved at times in the past.