News & Events (1986-87)

President: E. Robson
Hon. Secretary: J. Chapman
Hon Treasurer: R.E. James
Club Captain: M. Richard
Club Coach: S. Mullins
 

Orbituary

Duncan Armstrong D.F.C. - Duncan played regularly in the 1930's and was a member of the 1st XV cup winning team in season 1935/36.

G.L. Wood - Although a heart complaint prevented him from playing Len was an active committee member for many years. He was Teams Secretary in 1950, Hon. Secretary from 1955 t 1958 and President from 1966 to 1968. Len was an Honary Life Member of the club.

D.S.L. Wood D.F.C. - Douglas spent all his playing days with Northern before coming to live in Hexham and joining Tynedale.


Playing Records

There were considerable improvements in the season's results compared with 86/87. The four senior sides appeared in their respective County cup-finals - all but the 3rd XV winning. The winning of the U16 and U13 cups must have made this season the most successful in the club's 112-year history.

1stXV

The 1st XV managed to lose one or two games they should have won but nevertheless acquired some notable scalps - Harrogate away from home and Selkirk at home. We went out of the John Player Cup to Lichfield in the first round and lost to Gosforth in the final of the Northumberland cup for the third successive season (9-18).

The junior sides had their worst season for a long time, due partly to injuries and non-availabilities.

The Under 21's played six games and won five in the McEwans Under 21's Table whilst they participated creditably in the London Irish Under 21's Festival at Easter. Andrew Cuthbertson, Edward Parker, Charles Ayton(capt), Kevin Marshall, Richard Cunningham, Jonathan Mathews and Tony Hall all represented Northumberland Under 21's.

County

Alan Gledson, Chris Dixon, Mark Richard and Stephen Dunn played for Northumberland and Stephen was actually the County's top try scorer from the second row.

Graham Yates and Angus Murray played for Northumbeland 'B'.

University Captains

Ian Harris captained Loughborough Colleges, Charles Ayton captained Leeds University, Gordon Dodd captained St. Andrews University, Ed Saunders captained Carnegie College and Ian Crawford captained Liverpool Polytechnic. Gordon Dodd and Andrew Birkett were in opposition at Twickenham playing for Scottish and English Universities respectively.

Colts

The Colts had a mixed season, winning 9 of 23 games played. Simon Clayton-Hibbott played for the County Colts along with Angus Herdman and Andrew Cuthbertson. John Fletcher played for Northumberland U16.

An ex-Colt, John Standish, has been a regular member of the RAF U21's, playing wing-forward for Suffolk and having a trial for the Combined Services XV

Road Surface

The road into Tynedale Park has been a nightmare for years. Tenders of around £10,000 had been received. Without warning Reay Roads Ltd. (one of the tenderers at £10,700) offered to lay the road at cost and their suppliers, Amey Roadstone Ltd. offered to supply the materials at cost - and as a result the work was completed for £5,658. Thanks to both companies and John Austin as intermediary.

Ground Usage

Field utilisation - the Northumberland County Show, the Traction Engine Rally, Tyneside Orienteering weekend, the Northumberland Caravan club, Durham caravan club, the Civil Service Motoring Association, the Leukemia caravan club, Northern Counties Motor Car club, Worksop caravan club, Whitley Chapel YFC and Willie Parker's sheep.

Bar

The bar was refurbished with polished wood sills on the bar, a display of sports equipment erected in the hall, the large glass door to the Presidents' room was altered, three display cabinets erected for the display of shirts and trophies and a new door was inserted in the west wall of the dressing-rooms.

John Cunningham and Joyce were thanked for planning and refurbishment carried out, and donating the curtains in the Function room

Life Members

Honorary life-membership of the club was conferred on three members:-

Douglas Hamilton, John Suddes, Jock Kent

Team Records

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

1st XV

30

16

1

13

2nd XV

28

11

1

16

'Hoppers

27

12

1

14

3rd XV

25

4

0

21

4th XV

2

1

0

1