Australian Dave Woods is best known for steering Castleford back in to the top flight at the first attempt in 2005, only to lose his job before Super League started in 2006. He is now at the helm in Gateshead, and after a disappointed 2007, will be hoping to guide the club to the play-offs in 2008. James Gordon asks the questions:

What are the club's hopes for 2008?

We want to be playing in the semi finals this season, anything short of that and we will be very disappointed. Obviously the other teams have all strengthened so it will be a tough year, but our goal is to be in the play-offs and progress as high as we can. Some clubs have a lot more money than others so are able to go out and buy top Super League players.

How is the Thunder squad looking ahead of the new season?

I am really happy with the way the squad has come together, obviously we needed to strengthen the squad from the one we had last year and I believe that we have done that.

Would it be realistic for Thunder to aim for a license application in 2012?

I'm sure that by that time we will be in a good enough position to apply for a licence. We have given ourselves a 3 year plan and hopefully we can stick to that and not change our thought process. We still need to do a lot of work off the field in gaining more sponsors and bringing people back to the game in the area. Ultimately it will be up to the public in the North East as to whether or not we are successful.

Read the full interview with Dave Woods in Issue 1 of Code13 Magazine.