NEWCASTLE THUNDER chairman Keith Christie says relocating from Kingston Park to Gateshead International Stadium will make the relaunched League One club more financially viable.
Thunder's return to their original ground after more than nine years across the River Tyne at the home of rugby union club Newcastle Falcons takes effect immediately, with Rochdale visiting on Sunday.
But Christie says the club will still be called Newcastle as they aim to consolidate their place in the third tier after coming close to folding in the wake of last year's relegation from the Championship.