Newcastle Falcons owner Semore Kurdi says he is waiting to hear whether or not the offer to buy Gateshead Thunder rugby league club has been accepted.
The Journal revealed two weeks ago that the Premiership rugby union club were looking to acquire the Championship One rugby league outfit, with the eventual aim of moving them into their Kingston Park home.
Kurdi stopped short of elaborating on the stadium switch but, speaking at a Falcons’ fans forum this week, did for the first time confirm the intended purchase.
He said, when asked about The Journal’s revelation of a bid to unite the two clubs: “There is not too much to say on it.
“We have made an offer for purchasing Gateshead Thunder.
“We have no immediate plans to merge, bring them here or anything like that, and it is too early to say it is a done deal.
“We have not formally had an acceptance yet.” Insisting there will be little or no cross-pollenation between the two codes, he added: “I don’t see any cross-code benefits to the playing department.
“The idea would be to study any synergies we might have, particularly off-field. It might be ticketing, strength and conditioning, marketing etc. But there will be virtually no difference in any of the playing or Newcastle Falcons things at all.”
