Everyone at Tynedale looked forward to the 2000-2001 season with anticipation and confidence.The playing year started quite well but Tynedale were in a steep learning curve and before Christmas the First XV's form and confidence started to deteriorate and then, just when the First XV's form was beginning to improve, the season finished in anti-climax.
In February Foot and Mouth Disease hit the district and this epidemic effectively ended all rugby for the season at Tynedale RFC. A decision was made by the Management Committee, and was reviewed each week, that no rugby matches and no training would take place at Tynedale Park and the Club would not fulfill away fixtures at any level. Although this decision appeared to be inconsistent, for example, when rugby continued to be played by schols in the Tynedale area, it was agreed that the livelihood and welfare of the Tynedale farming community were of paramount importance. I would like to record my appreciation of the patience and forbearance shown by all players and spectators during the epidemic. Several farming members of the Club have had their livestock culled during the crisis and our hearts go out to them at this extremely difficult time.
After our superb promotion-winning season, 2000-2001 was always going to be a difficult year. A number of key players retired or were transferred in the close season and our First XV squad at the start of the playing year lacked depth and experience. The playing season started well, however. We won a number of league games and had a successful, if precarious, run in the Tetley Bitter Cup where we reached the Fourth Round for the first time in our history. The First XV then suffered a series of injuries to important players and the long journeys to foreign parts with early starts in the depth of winter seemed to take their toll amd appeared to affect the side's confidence. At one stage in the season the available First Team squad only contained eight of the players who had been involved in our promotion year. When our playing season finished we were lying in ninth position but five of our eight remaining league games were at home and we had every confidence that we would finish the season well and would avoid relegation. In all the circumstances, we can be satisfied, but not complacent about the team's performance this season. For many of the younger players 2000-2001 will have been an important learning experience and they will be mentally and physically more robust as a result.
Any decisions made at the end of the season by the Rugby Union about relegation and promotion issues were bound to be difficult. Using a complicated formula based on away results and early-season form, it has been decided that Tynedale finished in eighth position therefore retain our position in the national leagues.
At the end of last season the Management Committee looked at the whole range of the Club's business and then divided our activities into seven main areas. Seven sub-committees were set up to deal with the seven strands under the chairmanship of individual members of the Management Committee. This system has been generally successful and has given more focus to the important issues but it is slightly disappointing that in devolving more of the business of the Club we do not seem to have significantly increased the number of members prepared to get involved in the running of Tynedale RFC.
Despite the impact of the Foot and Mouth epidemic the Club has had an excellent year financially.After a number of disappointing seasons there has been a significant turn-around and in 2000-2001 the Club bought a new gang-mower, a new heating system was installed in the clubhouse and the balance sheet still showed a handsome profit. Much of the credit for these results must go to Neil Foster and his Fund-raising Committee and to Andrew Cuthbertson, our Treasurer. Our gratitude goes to all of our sponsors but particular thanks must go to Jim Little for his generosity - and for his constant support of the First XV.
With Peter Robertson as Chairman, the Communications Committee has made strenuous efforts to improve communications throughout the Club. The series of imaginative Newsletters edited by Hugh Mainwaring has been a great success and the Tynedale Website under Webmaster Wallace Cousin receives universal acclaim.
Under the chairmanship of Chris Macklin, who is a member of the main Club's Management Committee, the Mini-Junior Section continues to thrive. The affects of the Foot and Mouth decision, however, particularly impacted the Minis and Juniors at the end of the season and it must have been particularly disappointing for these younger members to see rugby in full swing elsewhere in the County. The players and coaches bore their frustration with fortitude.
John Austin has had an excellent year as President. As usual he has travelled to most of the First XV's away matches where he has been a first class ambassador for the Club. John has also attended al large percentage of the mutlifarious committee meetings held in the Club throughout the year and his contributions to the discussions have invariably been sound and balanced. He has even survived the many social events held throughout the County during the year.
A significant number of members contribute to the efficient running of the Club but at the ned of my second year as Chairman I would like to express my gratitude to a number of individuals on whom we greatly rely. Andrew Cuthbertson and Neil Foster are standing down as Treasurer and Secretary and they take with them my gratitude for their work in the past five years. Both took on these roles at a very dynamic time in the Club's history and their efforts have been unstinting. Andrew and Neil now have heavy professional committments but they are both in their early thirties and we hope that they will still be involved with the Club and that we will continue to benefit from their experience as administrators.
John Shotton has decided to relinquish his post as Chairman of Senior Rugby. Throughout the years John has shown enormous drive, energy and vision and Tynedale's position in the national leagues is due in no small part to his industry. John's patent humility and sensitivity will also be missed.
Andrew Deacon has this year performed the role of Chairman of Property (House, Bar and Ground). Liz Millar retired from her position as Catering Manager during the season although we are pleased that she has not severed her ties with the club. Brian Dodds took over as Bar Steward and has settled in well. Although there has been much upheaval and the year has been very demanding, Andy's enthusiasm and drive has been undiminished.
After the washout as the County Show Jim Bell and John Lee have again worked miracles and Tynedale Park is as usual in superb condition. Mike Coulson's efforts in a range of activities have been herculean and Craig Johnston and Martin hastie continue to maximise the matches we play at Tynedale and the number of players turning out for the club.
John Clark, Graeme Sinclair and Jim Bell are again owed a great debt of gratitude by the Club for their dedication and commitment to Colts rugby which provide the lifeblood of Tynedale senior rugby. Tynedale have never been particlarly successful in recruiting quality players from outside the Club and it is recognised that a more systematic and sustained approach is probably necessary. It is essential, however, that any recruitment drive gets the balance right and that we realise that the nucleus of the First XV squad is likely to be provided by the Colts for some time in the future. It was particularly pleasing to see ex-First XV stalwart and ex-Tynedale Colt Steve Dunn, who is now a county Senior Selector, getting involved in the Colt's coaching.
The RFU and Northumberland RU have been concerned for some time about the substantial number of players lost to the game. The County set up a working party under the chairmanship of Douglas Hamilton and this group have made a series of recommendations which were promulgated in the Hamilton Report. A number of meetings were held by the County to address player loss but the Tynedale Management Committee thought that this was an appropriate opportunity to look at the future of the Club as well as considering the reduction of numbers playing the game. Under the very professional guidance of Graham Sinclair, the management Committee and other members of the Club have held a number of meetings and have discussed a Tynedale development plan. The future of the club will contribute to the debate and to the formulation of our development strategy.
Thje sad and sudden loss of our bar steward Keith Millar at the start of the season was a savage blow. Keith had been a reliable servant of the club who improved profitability and ran a very efficient bar.
As we go to press I have to report the death of Tom Stainthorpe who was one of the many unsung members of the Club whose efforts keep Tynedale RFC running. For a number of years Tom was one of that stout-hearted band, the Gatemen, and we are very grateful for his efforts for the Club.
For a number of resons the past season has been disappointing. We can still look forward with optimism, however, to 2001-2002 when I am sure we will consolidate our position in the national leagues and strengthen the infrastructure required by the Club in the next decade and beyond.