Click Here to view pictures of floods.
First view of the club grounds on the morning after the floods suggest that there has been no major structural damage.
The land has drained considerably leaving advertising hoardings, posts etc littered all over the ground. The three large storage containers have been moved 300 yards and dumped on the river's flood bank next to the Colts pitch.
The entire inside of the Clubhouse has been flooded upto approximately 3 feet and a muddy slime is deposited everywhere. Kitchen fridges etc have been tipped over .
Areas of the ground, including beneath the stand and the entrance road are still under water.
Click Here to view pictures of the scene the morning after.
Click Here to view details of 'Ali JohnsonTrust Fund'
Saturday 25th September - Ali suffered a serious neck injury after 52 minutes of Tynedale's match at Fylde.
The injury occurred as the scrums engaged at a position near the Fylde line.
Ali was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital where he had two scans on Saturday night.
The first scan revealed that Ali had dislocated two vertebrae in his neck. The second scan revealed that Ali's spinal cord had not been broken.
Ali did not have movement in his limbs and the extent of Ali's recovery depends on how severely the spinal cord has been impacted. It may take several weeks before the full extent of the injury is known.
Our thoughts are with Ali and we hope and pray he makes a full recovery.
Sunday 26th September
Ali has slight movement in his shoulders.
The doctors are considering airlifting Ali to Teeside Hospital early this week - possibly as early as Monday.
It is now thought it may be up to 2 years before the full extent of Ali's recovery is known.
Tuesday 28th September
Ali underwnt surgery today to correct vertebrae alignment and to relieve any pressure on the spinal cord. As part of the operation a bone graft was taken from Ali's hip and used to form a splint around the dislocated area.
Ali is in relatively good spirits and thinks he has experienced a bit feeling down his arms.
It is thought that Ali will be flown to Teeside Hospital either tonight or tomorrow night.
Wednesday 29th September
The transfer of Ali to Teeside has been postponed until probably this weekend.
Thursday 30th September
Ali's condition hasn't changed much - it is still not certain when (or how) Ali will be moved to Teeside.
Saturday 2nd October
Decision has been taken to move Ali to Teeside on Monday 4th October.
Monday 4th October
Ali's transfer to Middlesbrough has been delayed again - the latest news is that Ali will be transferred by air tomorrow.
Tuesday 5th October
Yet again Ali's transfer to Middlesbrough has been delayed - it is hoped Ali will be transferred tomorrow or Thursday.
Sunday 10th October
Still not sure when Ali will be moved. The problem is that currently there are no free beds in the Spinal Unit at Middlesbrough. There have been discussions relating to transferring Ali to Newcastle General as an interim measure.
Wednesday 13th October
Ali has been transfered to Newcastle General.
Thursday 14th October
Ali is in Ward 25 at Newcastle General hospital.
Visiting can take place at any time. Between 08:00am and 11:00am, however,the doctors do their rounds and consequently visiting may not always be convenient during these hours.
Friday 15th October
Ali has been moved from Newcastle General to the 'James Cook University Hospital' in Middlesbrough.
Click Here to view hospital details.
Sunday 24th October
Ali obviously has his downs but generally is in good spirits.
Thursday 29th October
No change medically - Ali is still on a ventilator
Sunday 7th November
No real change - Ali has his good days and his not-so-good days.
Sunday 14th November
Ali has been off the ventilator for short periods.
Sunday 28th November
Ali has been off ventialtor for longer periods - on Wednesday he was off for 3 hours.
Ali is having plenty of visitors and feels better for it - best time is betwen 12.00 and 9.00pm.
Ali's short term goal is to be out of the High Dependancy Unit by Christmas.
Ali remains in the HDU at the moment , he was going to be moved at the end of this week but had a set back on Monday when a junior doctor attempted to change his tracheostomy tube and failed I wont say what he called her !!! needless to say his throat is very sore with lots of trauma so the move is cancelled for the time being, he was very down on Mon, Tues and Wed. The consultant is pleased with his progress even though he remains in spinal shock, still no movement below his shoulders.Ali was delighted to have a visit from an ex Tyndale player this week Paul Winter,and his faithful visitor Ed Holmes has the flu bug so he is staying clear.Ali has managed without the ventilator since the 2nd December, the pipe work is still there just in case, also started to eat hospital food so the nasal / gastric tube has been removed. Ali sends everyone at Tynedale his best wishes for 2005 - dont drink too much or better still try a bottle of Stella through a straw lying down its enough to put you off drinking for good. On behalf of Ali - Sheila Johnson.
On the 13th Ali was hoisted into his wheelchair for 20 minutes. Enough time get a breath of Middlesbrough air and a quick look around the gym then it was back into bed.
On the 14th it was case conference meeting - up in chair again. While the meeting was going on his bed was moved out of H.D.U. into rehab - a very frightening experience for him after being used to a nurse standing by and all the equipment at hand. By the time we left him he was more settled. It was Ali's goal to be on rehab by Christmas.
Ali's new goals are getting up twice a day and having the tracheostomy tube removed. Ali seems to be on target with the goals that are set for him. Sheila Johnson
Great news - Ali can tense his biceps in one arm.
A quick update on Ali before the festive break.
Ali has eventually settled on rehab - a huge change from having a nurse 24 hours and all the equipment plus staff that know what they are doing but Ali has been told to take charge of his life and he is capable of telling a nurse if she is imcompetent.
He has a very very slight upper arm movement to which the physios are working on, he is also learning to sit up straight in the wheelchair, the trachie tube has been changed but not removed yet.
On Tuesday Ali had a visit from Dr Nigel Enevoldson (sponsor) who has been through an accident similar to Ali ( bike accident). We were all pleased to meet him.
Ali's next goal is to lift his right arm off the bed by the end of January.
Ali has asked me to thank everyone for their good wishes, dont drink too much over the festive season and as he has lost 4 stone in weight tell the ' backs ' to watch out !!! Ken,Sheila, Fay, Gemma, Keith and Emma would like once again to thank everyone at Tynedale for there help and support since September.
Best wishes to all, Sheila .
Merry Christmas to all.
Ali is settled into the rehab ward now, managing to visit the gym twice a day and learning how to sit straight in the wheel chair. He was overwhelmed by all the visitors ( 7 ) on the 22nd, Smithy was a good hand at feeding him his supper, maybe he is getting into practice for any young Smiths ? the others enjoyed the jaffa cakes ! On the 24th Andy Blyth spent a long time with Ali in the gym , very much appreciated, many thanks to all.
Keith and Emma were with Ali at lunch time on the 25th, Keith fed the turkey dinner etc to him, the rest of the Johnsons plus Gemma and her parents spent the afternoon and evening with him, he coped really well. Ed and Haydn called in on the 26th then Ken and I gave him a tour of the James Cook before we were ordered to do his physio, Christmas or not the exercises have to continue.
Ali would also like to say a big thank you to Edward Robson, Don & Flick Jacks ( N.Z ) for the great gift. Thats about all for now will keep you posted.
Sheila.
On the 28th Ali had a visit from Tynedales ' Last of the Summer Wine' trio, he was pleased to see them, they were last spotted leaving the James Cook Hospital at about 4.30pm with two young females who had been visiting Ali, the trio kindly offered the girls a lift back to Newcastle, the smile on PR' s face was wider than the Tynedale pitch as he was the back seat passenger!!!Ali was still laughing about it at 8.30 pm. Has anyone seen PR, JS & WC since?
Ali was back in the gym on the 29th following the Christmas break continuing his arm exercises. We toured the corridors of the hospital and a quick visit outside for a lung full of Middlesbrough smog !
Sending Best Wishes to all at Tynedale for 2005.
Bye for now, Sheila.
Happy New Year to all at Tynedale.
On the 31st Ali had a surprise visit from Morpeth's veteran Mr Jimmy Pringle known both to the rugby and wrestling world, then on the 2nd January Angela, the physio from Fylde, called in - these visits are very much appreciated.
Ed Holmes is keeping him up to date with the Tynedale gossip and helping Ali out with the Jaffa cakes and Pringles.
Ali is anxious to get back to the gym after the festive break, he coped well with Christmas but was a bit ' down ' over the New Year , but as usual he has his chin up and thinking positive.
Auntie Dot from Darlington visits him usually on a Tuesday evening to which he looks forward to. Ali was wondering if Bullet is trying to catch up with Micky Lee's millionaire farming status with all the big money that he is earning ???
That's about all for now, hope to have some more news when the Doctors , Physios etc get back to work.
Sheila.
Ali was in the gym on the 4th to make up lost time caused by the long festive break, he managed 65 degrees on the tilt table, not bad for his first try.
Later in the day he had an Autonomic Dysreflexia ( last one on the 23rd Dec ) - sudden pounding headache, very high blood pressure,profuse sweating etc etc. They treated him with medication, elevated the head of the bed etc. He remained groggy on the 5th then had another AD on the 6th so he is on bed rest over the weekend. Its a condition unique to people with spinal cord lesions, it can be life threatening and requires immediate treatment. A little set back for him but he will be raring to go on Monday no doubt.
Good luck for Saturdays game.
Sheila.
Hello there, hows things at Tynedale ?everyone must be devastated after lasts weeks dreadful weather . Ali has the photos from the internet , he is going to have a go on the voice activated computer today.
The A. D. attacks seem to be settling down , so he has been able to return to the gym.
On Thursday when Ken and I got there the bed was empty so we went upstairs to find him ' Test Driving' a chin controlled wheelchair , the staff were amazed at how quick he took to it so ' Top Gear ' better look out.
The trachie tube has to remain insitu until his breathing improves, the physio is pleased with his ability to be able to sit in his wheelchair without the head and neck support all very encouraging !! thats about all for know will keep you updated.
Sheila.
Just a few lines to update you on Ali's progress. First of all he was pleased to see Bullet on Friday, long time no see !
Ali has been struggling to get back on track after the NHS long festive break plus he has had several AD attacks to which they think a stone in his bladder might be to blame so a date has been set to remove the stone and to do various tests ( 2nd Feb ).
Saturday he was on a 'down' but thankfully by Monday he was almost back to his cheerful self. He was delighted with the photos from David Hewitson - many thanks.
Will keep you updated.
Sheila
Hello there, just a quick update on Ali.
Last Thursday he was told he had a ' bug ' but it took them until 6pm on Friday to move him into a cubicle.He was there until Tuesday when they moved him back to his old bed , we think they got the samples mixed up as the old boy in the corner has had the D & V ' s all weekend.
Keith and I attended an educational session on Monday 1- 5pm, it was very interesting. Not sure what Keith thought about it !!!!
Ali is back in the gym but was sleeping on Wednesday when Ken and I got there - he had done extra exercises in the morning. Keith was telling Ali about a TV programme about stem cell, thought it might be about 10 year away. Alis reply - "well that will make me 34, time for a few more years at rugby ! "
Keith would also have a go on Ali's breathing machine, "just blow Keith", well Keith's face was like a beetroot , Ali grining from ear to ear , you are meant to suck not blow , oh dear nothing changes.
Bye for now, Sheila.
Hello there , a few lines to update you all.
First Ali enjoyed his visits on Tuesday and Wednesday from the young, not so young and the older rugby players, thanks for taking the time.
On Monday it was in the class room again for an educational session, then Ali had a sit in an adapted vechicle - thought it would be better with 4 wheeldrive !!
Wednesday it was down to the theatre to have the bladder stone removed, he watched it on the screen then said he had seen better films, apart from being hungry when he got back he was in fine fettle. He is anxious to get back into the gym to try to make up for lost time.
Visiting times are Mon - Fri. 12md - 1-45pm then 4pm - 9pm, Sat / Sun 12 - 9. just so he can get a session in the gym in the afternoon.. The consultant will not remove the trachie tube yet until his breathing improves, he is going to have some more exercises for it.
Thats all folks, thanks again Sheila.
Hello there, here goes with another Ali update. The last few weeks has seen very little progress in Alis improvement, but on Sunday he was asking me to do some arm physio on him so lets hope he is getting back on track after several set backs.
Thursday and Friday saw Ali test driving a ' demo ' chin controlled wheelchair , no problem to him but on Saturday another patient asked if he could try it out ( he has a different model ) what did he do but crash it into the door frame and snap a leg support off so its waiting for the service mechanic to come to repair it.
Ali was pleased to see Keith and Emma ( also Emma's parents ) on Saturday and Hackers two visits last week. The trachie tube is still insitu until the end of the month (hopefully ) , as usual he remains his usual happy self and having a go on the computer and ' page turner ' and has made it over to the Toby Jug to a patients leaving do, one pint was all he could manage !!!! ( will see how long that lasts ) .
Hope all is going well with the repairs to the Club house at Tynedale. All for now Sheila.
Hello to everyone at Tynedale, Ali hasn't had a very good week, he went back to bed on Wednesday after a morning session in the gym with a blinding headache which continued over Thursday and Friday, the Doctor started him on I V fluids and antibiotics. Saturday he was slightly better ( chest & urine infection ), its like one step forward and two steps back at the moment but we have to remain positive !!!!
Ali managed to watch a little of the France - Wales game on Saturday, his replacement test drive wheelchair is waiting to be tried out when he his fit enough. Ali sends his thanks to the Harvey family for the Easter egg he received through the post no doubt Ed ( H ) and Hacker will help him out a change from pringles and jaffa cakes . Thats all for now will keep you up dated. Sheila.
Another Ali update, once again Ali seems to be back on track following his set backs , he still has a few problems to be sorted out then hopefully we can get some arrangements made to bring him back to Wolfhills.
He can manage 90 degrees on the tilt table and continues with his range of movement exercises. The highlight on Wednesday was to have a sit in a 4 x 4 wheelchair, excellent for going to shows and to go up and down the line at Tynedale !! The voice activated computer is another interesting piece of technology, it dosnt understand Northumberland dialect !
Ali was delighted to see Ed, Paul and Jason from Otley and Paul Winter from Blaydon with a supply of Jaffa cakes , thanks lads. Ali sends his regards to all the Flyde team and officals when they play at Tynedale today . Thats all for now. Sheila.
Just a few lines with an update on Ali, he is enjoying his once a week dip in the hydrotherapy pool, finding it very beneficial and hopeing to find the use of a pool and physio when he eventually gets home and we have an adapted vehicle for him.
Ali was pleased to see coach Tom Borthwick on Thursday after 6 months , how time flies Ali says !! We are all looking forward to getting him home in the near future, reality will hit home with Ali when he can not get out and about how he used to , a different life for the whole family , no more travelling to the smog of Middlesbrough apart from check ups.
The critical care staff from Preston Royal are in contact every 2 weeks and have a visit arranged when he is discharged. Hope we can get Ali to Tynedale before the end of the season. Best wishes Sheila.
Ali eventually got home on Mon and Tues, pleased but very emotional , hopefully it will get easier for him as we get into a routine.
The journey back to Middlesbrough was a roller coaster, straight to bed, he managed a short spell in the gym on Thurs. before being ordered back to bed with bladder trouble. Friday he was poorly so they gave him an MRI scan, IV antibiotics and fluids so Tuesdays discharge is in doubt , there will be one very disappointed Ali, but they must get the niggles sorted out, his chin controlled wheelchair has at last arrived he has not been able to try it out yet.
Will keep you updated. Sheila
Just to say Ali arrived back to Wolfhills on Tuesday at 1.30 pm via a Black Taxi Cab from Harrogate !! he was in his chin controlled chair sitting sideways - what has happened to the NHS ?
Needless to say we are all delighted to have him back home, no doubt there will be some ups and downs until we all get into a routine. Ali can manage the chair but isnt supposed to go outside yet ! we will have to clean the tyres before the technican comes to assess him.
Ali will be pleased to see anyone from the club at Wolfhills . Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to visit him at Middlesbrough.
Best wishes to all Sheila.
Ali, Ken and Sheila turned up at the Northumberland v Lancashire County match - hopefully the first of many visits.
View details of the "Ali Johnson Trust"
The Club and Ali's family have been overwhelmed by the many messages of support and best wishes from across the rugby world , some of these can be found on the Club's Message Board.
Keith has specifically asked us to thank everyone for their messages of support. He would like to stress how much they really are appreciated.
Click Here to view details of 'Ali JohnsonTrust Fund'
Mixed news on two past players:-
(5th Feb 2005)
John Wilman propped for Tynedale, with great distinction, for a short period in the early 70's before moving west where he played many years for Vale of Lune and Cumbria.
Sadly we have recently heard that John is seriously ill with Motor Neurone disease and severely disabled. John now lives in Kirkby Lonsdale with his second wife, Wendy, and was diagnosed with the disease last summer after believing for 18 months that he has suffered a stroke. John cannot talk but communicates via a word processor which produces voice.
John is still very much mentally alert and gets about with the help of his family and his great friend Richard (Plug) Taylor of the Orange Tree in Kirkby Lonsdale. We are told that John has fond memories of the short time he spent in the North East and of his playing days with Tynedale.
Our records show that John played his first match for Tynedale on 24 October 1970, when he played for the 3rdXV v Durham City, then the following week he represented Tynedale 2ndXV v Northern (Alongside such notables as Andrew Philpotts, Will Rutherford, Geoff Fox, Edward Robson, David Donaldson and Wallace Cousin). His 1stXV debut was 23rd January 1971 v Stockton(away) with team mates that day including Chris Davy, Mike McLoughlin (Clucky), Ian Blyth, Will Rutherford, Ken Docking, Douglas Hamilton, Alistair Whitfield, Roger Dinning and Justin Smart. John's final match for the club was in the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup at the County Ground on 25 April 1971 against Gosforth (lost 6-19).
All Tynedale send our best wishes to John, his wife Wendy and his two children , John and Helen.
(5th Feb 2005)
Former Tynedale (injury prone!) winger Conrad and his wife Hilary have recently completed the largest trek across Antarctica on foot by any British polar traveller.
When the couple completed the first leg of their trip on December 23rd they bacame the first British married couple to trek unsupported to the South Pole. They covered 1,380 miles during the 70-day round trip from Herculed Inlet on the north-west coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back.
Congratulation to Conrad and Hilary.
This match was held in memory of Derek, whose untimely death at such a young age last year shocked us all. The Tynedale Select XV was a mixture of players who played with Derek at Tynedale and at his other past clubs which included Ryton, Prudhoe, Gosforth, Blaydon and Border Park..
Although played in a continual downpour the match was a credit to both squads of players and the three officials. A sizeable crowd turned out to watch an entertaining game during which many 'retired' players dusted off their boots as part of a tribute to a very popular person.
The 'past' players didn't let the crowd, or themselves, down and many people were left wondering if retirement had come too early. Among the 'past' players were:-
A collection made during the match raised £420 for the Air Ambulance charity.
Walter Rutherford
We always try to make our buildings and facilities more accessible and safer for all potential users, including those with varying levels of disability or impairment.
The club seeks to provide easy access for a wide diversity of people - children, older people, players with kitbags, carers with small children, people who are fit and not so fit, as well as those having a disability.
We had hoped by now to have improved the access to the main clubhouse for all those groups, by constructing a ramp and providing a wider main entrance and lobby on the western side of the clubhouse. We also intended to provide improved ladies' toilets and a new disabled toilet.
However, although we obtained planning permission for the work on 21st June 2004 and invited tenders from building contractors with a view to starting work on 4th October, we were unable to find builders willing to undertake the work - because of the high level of activity locally and nationally, in the building construction industry.
In consultation with our architects, Napper Architects Ltd, we have revised our timetable, and the start date has been deferred until Monday 20th June 2005 to enable us to identify suitable contractors at a competitive price.
If anyone with any level of disability or impairment requires assistance they should notify the Hon. Secretary of the Club, Bill Stewart (07906 165794(Mobile)) or any other officer of the club, and help will be provided. On Saturday match days there will be a duty officer at the club who will be responsible for providing any specific assistance which may be required.
The Management Committee is proposing to increase subscriptions from 1st May 2003 for season 2003-2004. The new rates will need to be approved by members at a General Meeting.
The proposed rates are:-
|
|
Existing |
Proposed |
|
Full members |
£35 |
£40 |
|
Social members |
£20 |
£25 |
|
Under 21's/Students |
£10 |
£12 |
|
Colts |
£5 |
£6 |
|
Ladies |
£5 |
£10 |
Monthly Draws with Super Draws taking place twice a year.
|
Month |
Name |
Prize |
|
January 2003 |
JOHN SCOTT |
£125 |
|
|
A McCOULL |
£50 |
|
|
Mrs V ENEVOLDSON |
£25 |
|
February 2003 |
ROGER STOCKDALE |
£125 |
|
|
ROGER DINNING |
£50 |
|
|
DAVID BARKER |
£25 |
|
ROGER DINNING |
£125 | |
|
|
CHRISTINE FLETCHER |
£50 |
|
|
TONY COATES |
£25 |
|
April 2003 |
I WHITE |
£125 |
|
|
D NICHOLLS |
£50 |
|
|
S MARSHALL |
£25 |
|
LIZ MILLAR |
£125 | |
|
|
IAN BLYTH |
£50 |
|
|
JOHN SCOTT |
£25 |
|
June 2003 |
NEIL FOSTER |
£125 |
|
|
GRAHAM DODD |
£50 |
|
|
JOHN AUSTIN |
£25 |
|
July 2003 |
Mr GENNER |
£125 |
|
|
MIKE FIELDHOUSE |
£50 |
|
|
JIM BELL |
£25 |
|
August 2003 |
SHEILA PARKER |
£125 |
|
|
CHRIS MACKLIN |
£50 |
|
|
PETER SIMPSON |
£25 |
|
September 2003 |
PETER ROBERTSON |
£125 |
|
|
BILL EDGAR |
£50 |
|
|
CHRIS MACKLIN |
£25 |
|
NEIL FOSTER |
£125 | |
|
|
MIKE FIELDHOUSE |
£50 |
|
|
DOUGLAS HAMILTON |
£25 |
|
November 2003 |
CHRIS MACKLIN |
£125 |
|
|
JOHN SAUNDERS |
£50 |
|
|
DAVID WALKER |
£25 |
|
December 2003 |
I F WHITE |
£500 |
|
|
NIGEL ENEVOLDSON |
£100 |
|
|
ANGELA LEE |
£50 |
|
JOHN ROBINSON |
£125 | |
|
|
PETER ROBERTSON |
£50 |
|
|
JOHN AUSTIN |
£25 |
|
LES HOLLIDAY |
£125 | |
|
|
TONY SMITH |
£50 |
|
|
BILL STEWART |
£25 |
|
March 2004 |
TONY SISTERSON |
£125 |
|
|
DAVID BARKER |
£50 |
|
|
DAVE NICHOLLS |
£25 |
|
May 2004 |
PETER ROBERTSON |
£125 |
|
|
GARY TAYLOR |
£50 |
|
|
LES HOLLIDAY |
£25 |
|
June 2004 |
CHRIS MACKLIN |
£125 |
|
|
DAVID BARKER |
£50 |
|
|
WILL DEAS |
£25 |
|
JOE EMMERSON |
£125 | |
|
|
JOHN SCOTT |
£50 |
|
|
SHEILA PARKER |
£25 |
|
August 2004 |
IAN BLYTH |
£125 |
|
|
IAN CRAWFORD |
£50 |
|
|
ANDREW McCOULL |
£25 |
|
TONY SMITH |
£125 | |
|
|
A GENNER |
£50 |
|
|
DAVID WALKER |
£25 |
|
October 2004 |
IAN TURNER |
£125 |
|
|
DAVID WALKER |
£50 |
|
|
WALLACE COUSIN |
£25 |
|
November 2004 |
PETER SIMPSON |
£125 |
|
|
ANDREW McCOUL |
£50 |
|
|
JAMES FOSTER |
£25 |
|
December 2004 |
CHRIS MACKLIN |
£125 |
|
|
WALLACE COUSIN |
£50 |
|
|
MIKE FIELDHOUSE |
£25 |
|
January 2005 |
TONY SISTERSON |
£125 |
|
|
ANDREW CUTHBERTSON |
£50 |
|
|
GEOFFREY VOS |
£25 |
|
February 2005 |
TONY SISTERSON |
£125 |
|
|
JOHNAUSTIN |
£50 |
|
|
DAVID BARKER |
£25 |
|
March 2005 |
ROMI DE BIL |
£125 |
|
|
JOHN SAUNDERS |
£50 |
|
|
NIGEL ENEVOLDSON |
£25 |
|
April 2005 |
JOE EMMERSON |
£125 |
|
|
NIGEL ENEVOLDSON |
£50 |
|
|
LES HOLIDAY |
£25 |