THUNDER Storm have called on all Gateshead fans to make a special effort to get to see their team play York Wasps at Huntington Stadium tomorrow - in a bid to help out their nearest rivals.

The Gateshead Thunder supporters club, just months after helping to revive their rugby league outfit, want fans to show solidarity with the York Wasps who themselves have come close to extinction.

"We'd like as many people as possible to see as many Thunder games as possible," said Thunder Storm chairman Mark Wightman.

"But the York game is special. They are the nearest club to us and they're in real trouble. What they need now is people through the turnstiles."

The Evening Press has already reported how rugby league fans up and down the country have supported the plight of the Wasps, who this month were saved by a creditors' voluntary agreement which wiped away massive club debt.

"More than anyone, we know what the York fans are going through," said Wightman.

"Supporters from across the sport were right behind us in our fight for a new Thunder, now it's our turn to help someone out.

"I only wich the eagerness at the board room level and above to save York had been applied to the original Thunder."

Updated: 10:41 Saturday, January 20, 2001