GATESHEAD Thunder’s front door has been in full swing with one player going out and another coming in.
Leaving the International Stadium is back-rower David Norman, who has been released from his contract with the club.
Having signed for Thunder at the beginning of the 2011 season from fellow North East side Jarrow Vikings, Norman struggled to commit to the club’s training sessions due to an increase in work commitments.
Thunder’s director of rugby Chris Hood said: “It is a genuine misfortune of circumstances as David has been going great this year for us.
“He scored for Thunder in his first competitive game for the club – against Sheffield Eagles back in February – and unfortunately picked up an serious injury a short time after that. He was just getting back to full fitness, but an increase in the amount of time he has to work will obviously affect the amount of time he can commit to Thunder.
“We would like to thank him for his hard work and effort during his time with us, and wish him all the best for the future.”
Thunder, meanwhile, have re-signed back rower Ade Aderiye for the remainder of this season.
Aderiye, who has featured in over 20 games for Thunder, has also played for at Doncaster and London Skolars.
Hood added: “He is hungry to take the opportunity for the rest of the season, and we know he will give his all for Thunder as he has done in the past. We are speaking to several different clubs, all at different stages, in a view to bringing in several players for the remainder of the season. Ade is the beginning of this.”
Next up for Thunder is a trip to Derwent Park to face Workington Town tomorrow. Hood revealed that, with his coaching team, he has spent the week working one on one with the squad.
He continued: “There is no place for not getting in front of the opposition when we are defending so we will be doing more of that this week.
“The players who are not doing that will be worked with and shown where they need to correct it.
“If they do not or cannot, then there is no point in them playing at this level of rugby or for Gateshead Thunder.”
