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MATCH-DAY PROGRAMME<br />
NEWCASTLE<br />
FALCONS VS<br />
EXETER CHIEFS<br />
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KE E P I NG<br />
HOME<br />
YOU W A R M<br />
STARTING XV<br />
1<br />
15 TOM PENNY 2345678<br />
14 ADAM RADWAN<br />
13 MATIAS MORONI<br />
12 CAMERON HUTCHISON<br />
11 IWAN STEPHENS<br />
10 LOUIE JOHNSON<br />
9 JAMES ELLIOTT<br />
STARTING XV<br />
1<br />
15 TOMMY WYATT 2345678<br />
14 IMMANUEL FEYI-WABOSO<br />
13 HENRY SLADE<br />
12 JOE HAWKINS<br />
11 BEN HAMMERSLEY<br />
10 HARVEY SKINNER<br />
9 TOM CAIRNS<br />
REPLACEMENTS<br />
PHIL BRANTINGHAM<br />
JAMIE BLAMIRE<br />
EDUARDO BELLO<br />
JOHN HAWKINS<br />
KIRAN MCDONALD<br />
PEDRO RUBIOLO<br />
GUY PEPPER<br />
CALLUM CHICK (C)<br />
16 BRYAN BYRNE 17 ADAM BROCKLEBANK 18 MURRAY MCCALLUM 19 PHILIP VAN DER WALT<br />
20 SAM CROSS 21 HUGH O’SULLIVAN 22 RORY JENNINGS 23 LOUIS BROWN<br />
REPLACEMENTS<br />
SCOTT SIO<br />
JACK YEANDLE<br />
EHREN PAINTER<br />
RUSI TUIMA<br />
DAFYDD JENKINS (C)<br />
JACQUES VERMEULEN<br />
ETHAN ROOTS<br />
AIDON DAVIS<br />
16 MAX NOREY 17 ALEC HEPBURN 18 JOSH IOSEFA-SCOTT 19 LEWIS PEARSON<br />
20 ROSS VINTCENT 21 STU TOWNSEND 22 WILL HAYDON-WOOD 23 TOM HENDRICKSON<br />
AWAY<br />
REFEREE: CHRISTOPHE RIDLEY<br />
ASSISTANT REFEREES: JACK MAKEPEACE, JONATHAN HEALY<br />
TELEVISION MATCH OFFICIAL: DEAN RICHARDS<br />
TIME KEEPER: ALAN HUGHES<br />
CITING OFFICER: ANDY BLYTH
ALEX<br />
CODLING<br />
THIS AFTERNOON<br />
PRESENTS A MASSIVE<br />
OPPORTUNITY FOR US<br />
Thank you for attendance today as we embark on a really<br />
important afternoon for the club.<br />
Welcome to Rob Baxter, his <strong>Exeter</strong> <strong>Chiefs</strong> side and all of their<br />
supporters for what must be one of the longest trips in English<br />
professional sport.<br />
The <strong>Chiefs</strong> have had a strong start to the season and, like<br />
ourselves, are in somewhat of a rebuilding phase after changing<br />
the make-up of their squad over the summer. They have been<br />
able to register some key results at home, which is the big step<br />
we are all working hard towards here.<br />
Positive performances and good spells in games are one thing,<br />
but we are all acutely aware of the need to convert them into<br />
wins in a league where the margins are so small. This afternoon<br />
presents a massive opportunity for us to do that, and there has<br />
been a real buzz about the club from the players and staff as we<br />
all work towards the same goal.<br />
Anyone who knows me will know how much I hate losing,<br />
but despite our defeat at Sale Sharks last Friday I was really<br />
encouraged by much of the performance.<br />
To take a side showing 13 changes, with four Gallagher<br />
Premiership debutants on a five-day turnaround to one of the<br />
hardest grounds in the country to win at – that’s a big ask at<br />
the best of times.<br />
I thought we played some good rugby, we earned a four-try<br />
bonus point and were trailing by only four points going into the<br />
last five minutes. Of course, from that position we need to be<br />
closing out those games, and that is a huge focus for us coming<br />
into today.<br />
The fans whom myself and the players spoke to after the game<br />
were really appreciative of the guys’ efforts, and can see what<br />
we are trying to do.<br />
We need to be turning these positive aspects of our performance<br />
into victories, and we know how big a role our supporters have<br />
to play alongside the team in really working together to drive<br />
that atmosphere.<br />
With that in mind it is fantastic to have Wor Flags here with us<br />
this afternoon, putting on a visual spectacle in the West Stand<br />
which will really push that big-game feeling at a ground we<br />
always love playing at.<br />
Since arriving in the North East I have been really taken for the<br />
passion for sport which is the beating heart of this region, and<br />
our supporters deserve a result today for the manner in which<br />
they have stuck with us and got behind the group.<br />
Away from Kingston Park it was lovely to pop over to Paris on<br />
the team’s day off to attend the French rugby awards, at which<br />
the Oyonnax coaches were presented with ‘staff of the season’<br />
following our 2022-23 ProD2 title and promotion into the Top 14.<br />
It was a great occasion and nice to catch up with some old<br />
friends looking back on last season, but it was straight back to<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> the next morning because I am filled with excitement<br />
about the potential within our squad and the prospect of us<br />
nailing that victory for you all this afternoon.<br />
Once again, thanks for your support.<br />
CODDERS<br />
ALEX CODLING - HEAD COACH’S NOTES<br />
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9
Meet Murray McCallum, the Dunfermline destroyer whose<br />
propping prowess is helping <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> plot a forward<br />
trajectory.<br />
The 27-year-old was part of a major summer influx at Kingston<br />
Park, continuing a career which has not been without its ups<br />
and downs.<br />
Playing for both professional Scottish franchises as well as the<br />
national team, earning a big Premiership move only to have it<br />
taken away by the game’s financial issues, McCallum is now<br />
settled on Tyneside and looking ahead with positivity.<br />
“I’m from Dunfermline which is in Fife, just to the north of<br />
Edinburgh,” he says, when asked where it all began.<br />
“My parents were both in the Police and we lived in the same<br />
place with my little brother all the way through our upbringing.<br />
I was a mini rugby player from seven years old at Dunfermline<br />
RFC, and I loved it from day one. I was in the Scouts and one of<br />
the parents there told my dad he should take me down to rugby,<br />
because I was always a big kid. I was a prop from the outset,<br />
and I’m not one of these guys who started at fly-half or No.8 and<br />
made the gradual move towards the front row!”<br />
“I was always a big<br />
kid. I was a prop<br />
from the outset!<br />
Outside of rugby he used to head over to East End Park to<br />
watch Dunfermline Athletic FC, although his primary footballing<br />
allegiance is to the famous green and white hoops of Celtic,<br />
thanks to his father.<br />
“I went to primary and secondary school in Dunfermline before<br />
moving to Perthshire for sixth form at Strathallan, which was<br />
predominantly a rugby move,” says Murray.<br />
MURRAY<br />
MCCALLUM<br />
“One of my coaches, Andy Henderson, brought me up<br />
there, and it was a lot of fun. I played for Scotland Under-<br />
18s but didn’t get offered a pro academy contract, so I<br />
moved up to Aberdeen University. At the time I went up<br />
to the North East – the proper North East, that is! - the<br />
big things up there were oil and gas, and because of my<br />
interest in geography and chemistry I started a geology<br />
and petroleum geology degree.<br />
“It was a tough course which I enjoyed, and I passed<br />
every exam I sat, but the rugby started to take off again<br />
so I wanted to pursue it. I went on a Scotland Under-19s<br />
tour to Romania then got selected for Scotland Under-<br />
20s, and after the 2015 Junior World Cup I moved to<br />
Edinburgh to sign with the BT Academy, as it was called<br />
then.<br />
PLAYER INTERVEIW - MURRAY MCCALLUM<br />
11
“I linked up with Heriot’s and it kind<br />
of started taking off from there, but I<br />
definitely benefited from the experience<br />
of getting rejected and having to go out<br />
into the real world. It means you don’t<br />
take professional rugby for granted,<br />
and it probably humbles you a little bit<br />
in terms of fully appreciating where you<br />
are as a pro sportsman.<br />
“I wasn’t somebody who left school<br />
and thought I’m definitely going to be<br />
a professional rugby player, so in that<br />
sense it wasn’t a body blow when I didn’t<br />
get signed up straightaway. I just played<br />
rugby because I enjoyed it, and I still do.<br />
I know some people in the profession<br />
who just treat rugby as a job and maybe<br />
don’t like it, but for me since the age<br />
of seven I’m just a guy who loves the<br />
game and plays it because I get pleasure<br />
from it.”<br />
Recalling his early foray into the pro<br />
rugby ranks, McCallum expands on his<br />
ability to pack down at both loose-head<br />
and tight-head prop, saying: “I made my<br />
debut for Edinburgh in November 2016,<br />
coming on from the bench at home to<br />
Treviso. I was still an academy player<br />
that year but a lot of their tight-heads<br />
had got injured, banned or called up<br />
for Scotland, and I ended up playing 21<br />
games in my first season.<br />
“I’ve always played on both sides of the<br />
scrum, and in that first season where I<br />
was involved in 23 games (there were<br />
two where I was on the bench but didn’t<br />
come on), 13 were at tight-head and 10<br />
were at loose-head.”<br />
Proudly earning three Scotland caps, he<br />
says: “The first involvement I had was in<br />
the autumn of 2017 when I was brought<br />
in for a training camp, and I made my<br />
debut in the Six Nations away to Wales<br />
in February 2018.<br />
“<br />
I just played<br />
rugby because<br />
I enjoyed it,<br />
and I still do.<br />
“It was an unbelievable experience – Jon<br />
Welsh started and I came on from the<br />
bench – but when guys returned from<br />
injury and suspension I was out of the<br />
squad. I came back in for the summer<br />
tour when we went to the USA, Canada<br />
and Argentina. I played the first two<br />
tests against Canada and America, then<br />
had a very interesting week in rural<br />
northern Argentina!<br />
“In club terms I played for Edinburgh<br />
from 2016 to 2021, at which point I was<br />
told I wasn’t being kept on. Things were<br />
a little bit up in the air for a while and I<br />
ended up getting a shot with Glasgow,<br />
who had lost a few guys to Scotland and<br />
the Lions. I signed a six-month contract<br />
with a view to maybe extending it,<br />
and I actually played at home against<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> in a pre-season game at<br />
Scotstoun.<br />
“The <strong>Falcons</strong> won that night and it<br />
PLAYER INTERVEIW - MURRAY MCCALLUM<br />
13
Convinced that a first league win of the season is within their<br />
grasp, he says: “There are such good foundations here and<br />
we’ve been so close in quite a few of our games. I feel like<br />
we’re really close to it all clicking, and I wouldn’t be hitting the<br />
panic button even though the results have been tough in the<br />
league.<br />
“I know a lot of the external noise is negative whenever you’re<br />
not winning, and that’s just the nature of professional sport.<br />
You have to learn to block out a lot of those voices, although<br />
one thing I will say is that the <strong>Falcons</strong> supporters get right<br />
behind the team.<br />
wasn’t my best performance, and the coach Danny Wilson<br />
gave me a kick up the backside after the game. He said I was<br />
going to play again the week after but that it was a close call<br />
between me and another player, so I basically had a friendly<br />
against Worcester to prove myself. I played one of the best<br />
games I’d had in a while, and two weeks later Worcester signed<br />
me.”<br />
“You do see the odd comment and it is what it is, but on the<br />
whole I think our fans are sticking with the team and playing<br />
every part they can in helping us to take that next step<br />
towards converting pressure into wins. The lads massively<br />
appreciate that encouragement, because the easiest thing in<br />
the world would be to sit there and be negative.<br />
“The reality is we’ve got a lot of new players this season and<br />
we’re making some pretty fundamental changes to how we<br />
play the game – and that takes time. It’s not always what<br />
people want to hear, but we’re spending time together and<br />
putting in the work needed to improve our fortunes.”<br />
PLAYER INTERVEIW - MURRAY MCCALLUM<br />
Part of the squad who were left without a job following<br />
Worcester’s disappearance from the rugby pyramid, McCallum<br />
explains: “Everyone knows how it ended up at Worcester, but<br />
it was eventful from the start. In the first week I moved down<br />
there my partner Lorna found out she was pregnant, and then<br />
the head coach who signed me – Jonathan Thomas – parted<br />
ways with the club.<br />
“Steve Diamond came in with a pretty fearsome reputation but<br />
I actually liked him and built up a good relationship, and ended<br />
up playing quite a bit during the back half of that 2021-22<br />
season.<br />
“We had a pretty turbulent summer with all of the financial<br />
problems that were going on behind the scenes, and although<br />
it was a few months before it came into the public domain<br />
there were alarm bells ringing when things started to happen<br />
like Wattbikes being repossessed from the club gym, and<br />
academy players being kicked out of their club house.<br />
“We pretty much knew what was coming but it was still<br />
tough when it eventually did, because there were so many<br />
great people in and around the club. The staff, families and<br />
supporters were honestly incredible, and everyone pulled<br />
together.<br />
“Lorna and I had had our baby in the August and the club<br />
went bust in the first week of October, with the last game<br />
being against <strong>Newcastle</strong>. We had a big win that day and I<br />
think we would have beaten any team in the country, because<br />
we basically knew it was our last ever game as Worcester<br />
Warriors. Even when the <strong>Falcons</strong> scored in the first few<br />
minutes we got back into a huddle on halfway and were<br />
like ‘we are NOT losing this game’, and we came back with a<br />
massive final performance.<br />
“The team social that night was epic with all the staff<br />
and supporters getting involved, and as much as it was a<br />
desperately sad situation it was at least good to finish on a<br />
positive.<br />
“I was in limbo, not<br />
knowing what was<br />
going on.”<br />
“From there I was just in limbo, and I had a few months of not<br />
knowing what was going on – always on the phone, on twitter,<br />
trying to find out what was happening. I ended up touring with<br />
the Barbarians which was a great experience, and I went on a<br />
trial in January with Montauban out in France. I was out there<br />
when Edinburgh called me, and they had a game out in Castres<br />
so I just met them there and flew back with them afterwards.<br />
“I finished the season with Edinburgh, and it was great to have<br />
that degree of stability and be closer to home after what we’d<br />
been through, and my partner was still on maternity leave with<br />
our daughter, Marnie.”<br />
Delighted to get picked up by the <strong>Falcons</strong>, the affable<br />
scrummager insists he is loving life on Tyneside.<br />
“I was absolutely buzzing when I knew there was interest from<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>, because the club were always way up on my list<br />
in terms of places I wanted to play. I knew it was a great club<br />
with loads of links to Scottish players, it was close to home for<br />
our wider family and also my partner had been to university<br />
in <strong>Newcastle</strong>. I already knew a couple of boys who were at<br />
the <strong>Falcons</strong>, and as soon as it became a possibility I was really<br />
excited.”<br />
Keen to form part of a bumper atmosphere this afternoon<br />
which includes input from the renowned ‘Wor Flags’ group, he<br />
adds: “I love busy crowds and high-pressure environments,<br />
so everything going on with the flags and the push to get<br />
supporters here is really welcome.<br />
“We love seeing<br />
fans getting<br />
involved.”<br />
“The squad have bought into it in terms of helping with the<br />
promotion because we all know what a huge difference it can<br />
make, and we love seeing fans getting involved. I’d like to thank<br />
every supporter who is coming along to the <strong>Exeter</strong> game and<br />
has faith in the lads, and hopefully the boys can put on a show<br />
to reward everyone for the commitment they’re showing us.”<br />
PLAYER INTERVEIW - MURRAY MCCALLUM<br />
14<br />
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COMMUNITY<br />
MOMENT OF THE<br />
MONTH<br />
TYNEMET<br />
HONOURS<br />
We want to say a huge well done to our Tynemet Girls captain<br />
Brooke Henderson and vice-captain Libby Anderson who were<br />
both selected to start for North East & Cumbria Centre of<br />
Excellence in their win over Sale Sharks Centre of Excellence.<br />
The remarkable accomplishments of Brooke and Libby have<br />
earned them well-deserved recognition, filling us with immense<br />
pride for their outstanding achievements thus far.<br />
With their exceptional abilities, there is no doubt that Brooke<br />
and Libby will continue to thrive throughout the season,<br />
bringing even greater success to the team both with NEC<br />
Centre of Excellence and at Tynemet.<br />
We’re also excited to invite you to the second Tynemet open<br />
event taking place at Kingston Park.<br />
This is aimed at U16 boys and girls (school year 11) who are<br />
rugby enthusiasts interested in pursuing a full-time rugby<br />
programme.<br />
The event will take place on Wednesday December 12 from<br />
6.30pm to 8.30pm at the iconic home ground of the <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
<strong>Falcons</strong>.<br />
There’s no need to worry about signing up - simply show up at<br />
our Tap and Tackle bar on Tuesday December 12 at 6.30pm.<br />
If you would like to find out more information about the<br />
programme or open event, please email niall.johal@newcastlefalcons.co.uk.<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
COACHING CAMPS<br />
Places are now available for our Christmas coaching camps,<br />
which will be held at Kingston Park Stadium over the school<br />
holiday period.<br />
Day one and two of the camp will run from 11am to 2pm and<br />
includes a range of rugby skills, games and activities, which we<br />
see as the perfect way to create a balance between learning,<br />
improving and enjoyment.<br />
BLYTH + ASHINGTON = BLYTON<br />
Camps are open to boys and girls aged 6 to 14. Participants<br />
will receive three hours of coaching from DBS-cleared, RFUqualified<br />
<strong>Falcons</strong> Community coaches.<br />
COMMUNITY NEWS<br />
Our moment of the month for November is awarded to Blyth RFC<br />
and Ashington RFC, who have combined to create Blyton RFC.<br />
At the beginning of the season, both Blyth and Ashington were<br />
struggling to form teams at youth level from U13s to U16s, so<br />
together they made the decision to amalgamate both sides,<br />
forming Blyton RFC.<br />
The coaches are from both clubs, looking after different age<br />
groups, where they have regular fixtures which are also shared<br />
between the two clubs.<br />
The newly formed club of Blyton now have 80-plus young<br />
players attending weekly training sessions and matches. This<br />
has allowed the continual growth of grassroots rugby. Without<br />
this combined effort the two teams would have missed out on<br />
the first stages of their rugby journey.<br />
Both Ashington and Blyth RFC are active members of our Club<br />
Connections programme, powered by Fusion for Business (FFB).<br />
FFB helps support sports clubs on their journey to achieve net<br />
zero through a range of programmes. Their solutions comprise<br />
of a series of debt-free, risk-free, cost, carbon and energy-saving<br />
measures.<br />
For more information about Fusion for Business, please email<br />
maisie.cole@fusionforbusiness.co.uk.<br />
For more information about our Club Connections programme,<br />
please email falconscommunity@newcastle-falcons.co.uk.<br />
The third day of camp will run from 4pm to 6pm it will include a<br />
range of rugby skills, games and activities as well as a gift and<br />
a match ticket for the <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> v Harlequins fixture.<br />
Available camps are:<br />
Jan 3: £17, 11am-2pm.<br />
Jan 4: £17, 11am-2pm.<br />
Jan 5: £35, 4pm-6pm.<br />
To claim your free ticket, you must be accompanied by a fullpaying<br />
adult.<br />
To book your place visit www.rugbycamps.co.uk/falcons, or for<br />
more information email<br />
gavin.beasley@newcastle-falcons.co.uk.<br />
COMMUNITY NEWS<br />
18<br />
19
21
CLUB NEWS<br />
AWARD JOY FOR<br />
CODLING<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> head coach Alex Codling had cause for<br />
celebration on Monday at France’s annual ‘Nuit du Rugby’.<br />
The prestigious awards ceremony in Paris saw Codling and his<br />
former colleagues from Oyonnax winning ‘Staff of the Season’.<br />
The Londoner was part of the management group which<br />
steered Oyonnax to the ProD2 title in 2022-23, earning promotion<br />
to the Top 14 in the process.<br />
SUPPORTERS’<br />
CLUB TRIP TO<br />
LEICESTER<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong>’ Supporters’ Club are running return coach<br />
travel to the Gallagher Premiership game at Leicester Tigers on<br />
Sunday December 3.<br />
The match at Mattioli Woods Welford Road is a 3pm kick-off.<br />
Return coach travel for adults is priced at £30 for Supporters’<br />
Club members and £35 for non-members, while for juniors it is<br />
£15 for members and £17.50 for non-members.<br />
Please note, these prices do not include match tickets, with<br />
departure times as follows:<br />
To book, email keithevans2105@gmail.com or call Keith on<br />
07812 975 220. Payment can be made direct to account<br />
number 13503976 and sort code 20-59-61.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> are grateful to our independent Supporters’<br />
Club for their continued backing, and look forward to seeing<br />
you in Leicester!<br />
Congratulations, Codders, from<br />
everybody at the club!<br />
9.30am: Kingston Park<br />
9.50am: Washington Services<br />
10.30am: Scotch Corner<br />
5.45pm: Return journey departs<br />
CLUB NEWS<br />
To book, email keithevans2105@gmail.com or call Keith on<br />
07812 975 220. Payment can be made direct to account<br />
number 13503976 and sort code 20-59-61.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> are grateful to our independent Supporters’<br />
Club for their continued backing, and look forward to seeing<br />
you in Leicester!<br />
]<br />
PARKING UPDATE<br />
Car parking is currently on sale for all our confirmed home<br />
fixtures up until our EPCR Challenge Cup fixture against<br />
Benetton on Friday January 12.<br />
Car parking can be purchased for £10 from the ticketing<br />
section of the club website, from the ticket office in person or<br />
via our ticket hotline. Spaces are limited and we strongly advise<br />
booking in advance to avoid any disappointment.<br />
The likelihood of car parking selling out prior to match day is<br />
very high and will be communicated across our website and<br />
social media.<br />
There are plenty of alternative travel options available to<br />
supporters, details of which can be found on the ‘getting to the<br />
stadium’ section of our club website.<br />
FLY WITH THE<br />
FALCONS<br />
Travel on <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong>’ team charter flight when we take<br />
on Perpignan in the EPCR Challenge Cup. The match at Stade<br />
Aime Giral sees the <strong>Falcons</strong> returning to Catalan country for the<br />
first time in 20 years.<br />
Our flight-only package is priced at £350 and will see you flying<br />
with the players and support staff direct from <strong>Newcastle</strong> to<br />
Perpignan on Saturday January 20.<br />
The game takes place the following afternoon, with the return<br />
flight back to <strong>Newcastle</strong> later that day. Please note, hotel,<br />
transfers and match ticket are not included.<br />
Book direct by emailing jodie.jinks@travelcounsellors.com.<br />
CLUB NEWS<br />
22<br />
23
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
WELCOME TO THE<br />
FIRST TEAM<br />
TRUE NORTH<br />
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 2023 - 24<br />
PLAYERS<br />
PHIL<br />
BRANTINGHAM<br />
PROP<br />
BORN: 02/10/01<br />
HEIGHT: 1.83M (6FT)<br />
WEIGHT: 117KG (18ST 5)<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
ADAM<br />
BROCKLEBANK<br />
PROP<br />
BORN: 06/09/95<br />
HEIGHT: 1.88M (6FT 1)<br />
WEIGHT: 125KG (19ST 9)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
LOUIS<br />
BROWN<br />
FULL-BACK<br />
BORN: 17/02/98<br />
HEIGHT: 1.87M (6FT 1)<br />
WEIGHT: 91KG (14ST 5)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND<br />
COUNTIES U18<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
BRYAN<br />
BYRNE<br />
HOOKER<br />
BORN: 09/09/93<br />
HEIGHT: 1.78M (5FT 10)<br />
WEIGHT: 104KG (16ST 5)<br />
HONOURS: IRELAND U20<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
1. 1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS<br />
JOSH<br />
BAINBRIDGE<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
JOSH<br />
BARTON<br />
EDUARDO<br />
BELLO<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
JAMIE<br />
BLAMIRE<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
MATEO<br />
CARRERAS<br />
BACK ROW<br />
SCRUM-HALF<br />
PROP<br />
HOOKER<br />
LOCK<br />
WING<br />
BACK ROW<br />
FLY-HALF<br />
BORN: 17/04/96 BORN: 15/12/97 BORN: 27/11/95 BORN: 22/12/97<br />
BORN: 13/01/97<br />
BORN: 17/12/99<br />
BORN: 25/11/96<br />
BORN: 29/08/96<br />
HEIGHT: 1.83M (6 FT) HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT) HEIGHT: 1.90M (6FT 2) HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.98M (6FT 6)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.73M (5FT 7)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.93M (6FT 3)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.76M (5FT 8)<br />
WEIGHT: 103KG (16 ST 3) WEIGHT: 85KG (13ST 5) WEIGHT: 120KG (18ST 12)<br />
WEIGHT: 112KG (17ST 8)<br />
WEIGHT: 121KG (19ST)<br />
WEIGHT: 84KG (13ST 3)<br />
WEIGHT: 115KG (18ST 1)<br />
WEIGHT: 89KG (14ST)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20S<br />
HONOURS: ARGENTINA<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS HONOURS: ARGENTINA<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND<br />
HONOURS: IRELAND U20<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
TIM<br />
CARDALL<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
CALLUM<br />
CHICK<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
Geoff & Marie<br />
Penrice<br />
BRETT<br />
CONNON<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS<br />
26 27
1.<br />
1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
SAM<br />
CROSS<br />
BACK ROW<br />
BORN: 28/8/92<br />
HEIGHT: 1.90M (6FT 2)<br />
WEIGHT: 100KG(15ST 10)<br />
HONOURS: WALES<br />
SEBASTIAN<br />
DE CHAVES<br />
JAMES<br />
ELLIOTT<br />
JOHN<br />
HAWKINS<br />
LOCK<br />
SCRUM-HALF<br />
LOCK<br />
BORN: 30/10/90 BORN: 29/08/98<br />
BORN: 11/11/96<br />
HEIGHT: 2.02M (6FT 6) HEIGHT: 1.77M (5FT 10)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.95M (6FT 5)<br />
WEIGHT: 117KG (18ST 5) WEIGHT: 82KG (12ST 13)<br />
WEIGHT: 117KG (18ST 6)<br />
HONOURS: SOUTH AFRICA U20 HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS<br />
CAMERON<br />
HUTCHISON<br />
CENTRE<br />
BORN: 01/06/98<br />
HEIGHT: 1.82M (6 FT)<br />
WEIGHT: 102KG (16 ST 1)<br />
HONOURS: SCOTLAND U20<br />
FREDDIE<br />
LOCKWOOD<br />
BACK ROW<br />
BORN: 31/12/00<br />
HEIGHT: 1.88M (6FT 1)<br />
WEIGHT: 116KG (18ST 3)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U19<br />
CHARLIE<br />
MADDISON<br />
HOOKER<br />
BORN: 24/06/91<br />
HEIGHT: 1.88M (6FT 1)<br />
WEIGHT: 109KG (17ST 2)<br />
MURRAY<br />
MCCALLUM<br />
PROP<br />
BORN: 16/03/96<br />
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT 1)<br />
WEIGHT: 126KG (19ST 12)<br />
HONOURS: IRELAND U20<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
Jacksons Law<br />
Firm<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
The Business<br />
Agility Coach<br />
1.<br />
1. 1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS<br />
OLLIE<br />
LEATHERBARROW<br />
BACK ROW<br />
BORN: 08/04/02<br />
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT 1)<br />
WEIGHT: 105KG (16ST 7)<br />
HONOURS: SCOTLAND U20<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
RORY<br />
JENNINGS<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
JONH<br />
KELLY<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
ZACH<br />
KERR<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
KIRAN<br />
MCDONALD<br />
MATIAS<br />
MORONI<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
ELLIOTT<br />
OBATOYINBO<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
MATIAS<br />
ORLANDO<br />
FLY-HALF/CENTRE<br />
LOCK/BACK ROW<br />
CENTRE/WING<br />
LOCK<br />
CENTRE<br />
FULL-BACK<br />
CENTRE<br />
BORN: 24/12/95 BORN: 11/10/95 BORN: 13/12/99 BORN: 01/11/94<br />
BORN: 10/07/91<br />
BORN: 09/10/98<br />
BORN: 14/11/91<br />
HEIGHT: 1.76M (5FT 8)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.93M (6FT 4) HEIGHT: 1.80M (5FT 9)<br />
HEIGHT: 2.02M (6FT 7)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.86M (6FT 1)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.83M (6FT)<br />
WEIGHT: 84KG (13ST 3) WEIGHT: 120KG (18ST 12)<br />
WEIGHT: 93KG (14ST 9) WEIGHT: 116KG (18ST 4)<br />
WEIGHT: 92KG (14ST 6)<br />
WEIGHT: 89KG (14ST)<br />
WEIGHT: 94KG (14ST 11)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20S<br />
HONOURS: ARGENTINA<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20<br />
HONOURS: ARGENTINA<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS<br />
28 29
1.<br />
1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
HUGH<br />
O’SULLIVAN<br />
SCRUM-HALF<br />
BORN: 24/2/98<br />
HEIGHT: 1.78M (5FT 9)<br />
WEIGHT: 84KG (13ST 3)<br />
HONOURS: IRELAND U20<br />
RICHARD<br />
PALFRAMAN<br />
TOM<br />
PENNY<br />
GUY<br />
PEPPER<br />
PROP<br />
FULL-BACK<br />
BACK ROW<br />
BORN: 20/12/93 BORN: 13/10/94<br />
BORN: 15/04/03<br />
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT 1) HEIGHT: 1.79M (5FT 9)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.90M (6FT 2)<br />
WEIGHT: 120KG (18ST 13) WEIGHT: 87KG (13ST 9)<br />
WEIGHT: 105KG (16ST 7)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS HONOURS: ENGLAND U18<br />
BEN<br />
STEVENSON<br />
WING/CENTRE<br />
BORN: 19/7/98<br />
HEIGHT: 1.89M (6FT 2)<br />
WEIGHT: 99KG (15ST 8)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS<br />
SAM<br />
STUART<br />
SCRUM-HALF<br />
BORN: 27/09/91<br />
HEIGHT: 1.73M (5FT 7)<br />
WEIGHT: 83KG (13ST)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20<br />
MARK<br />
TAMPIN<br />
PROP<br />
BORN: 20/01/92<br />
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)<br />
WEIGHT: 122KG (19ST 2)<br />
JOSH<br />
THOMAS<br />
FLY-HALF<br />
BORN: 30/06/00<br />
HEIGHT: 1.78M (5FT 8)<br />
WEIGHT: 82KG (12ST 12)<br />
HONOURS: WALES U20<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM STAFF<br />
VEREIMI<br />
QOROWALE<br />
WING/CENTRE<br />
BORN: 27/01/95<br />
HEIGHT: 1.86M (5FT 11)<br />
WEIGHT: 102KG (16 ST 1)<br />
HONOURS: BRITISH ARMY<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
ADAM<br />
RADWAN<br />
WING<br />
BORN: 30/12/97<br />
HEIGHT: 1.79M (5FT 9)<br />
WEIGHT: 89KG (14ST)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
The<br />
Blackbirds<br />
PEDRO<br />
RUBIOLO<br />
BACK ROW/LOCK<br />
BORN: 21/12/02<br />
HEIGHT: 1.91M (6FT 2)<br />
WEIGHT: 114KG (17ST 13)<br />
HONOURS: ARGENTINA<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
IWAN<br />
STEPHENS<br />
WING<br />
BORN: 24/03/02<br />
HEIGHT: 1.70M (5FT 6)<br />
WEIGHT: 83KG (13ST)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
PHILIP<br />
VAN DER WALT<br />
LOCK<br />
BORN: 14/07/89<br />
HEIGHT: 1.93M (6FT 3)<br />
WEIGHT: 112KG (17ST 9)<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
MICHAEL<br />
VAN VUUREN<br />
HOOKER<br />
BORN: 28/09/91<br />
HEIGHT: 1.87M (6FT 1)<br />
WEIGHT: 106KG (16ST 10)<br />
HONOURS: SOUTH AFRICA U20<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
GEORGE<br />
WACOKECOKE<br />
CENTRE<br />
BORN: 23/10/95<br />
HEIGHT: 1.80M (5FT 9)<br />
WEIGHT: 94KG (14ST 11)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM STAFF<br />
30 31
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 2023 - 24<br />
1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
FIRST TEAM<br />
STAFF<br />
JOHN<br />
STOKOE<br />
TEAM MANAGER<br />
STEVE<br />
BREMNER<br />
PERFORMANCE ANALYST<br />
MATT<br />
HODKINSON<br />
PERFORMANCE ANALYST<br />
KEVIN<br />
MCSHANE<br />
HEAD OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE<br />
1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
LEWIS<br />
WILLIAMS<br />
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH<br />
SHAUN<br />
MCLAREN<br />
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH<br />
RHYS<br />
GRIFFITHS<br />
HEAD PHYSIO<br />
ANDY<br />
SHEA<br />
PHYSIO<br />
1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM STAFF<br />
ALEX<br />
CODLING<br />
HEAD COACH<br />
MICKY<br />
WARD<br />
COACH<br />
TOM<br />
WILLIAMS<br />
COACH<br />
SCOTT<br />
BALDWIN<br />
COACH<br />
DERMOT<br />
AUSTIN<br />
PHYSIO<br />
RACHEL<br />
SCURFIELD<br />
LEAD DOCTOR<br />
DEAN<br />
SHIPSEY<br />
MATCH-DAY DOCTOR<br />
1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
MATT<br />
GLOVER<br />
KIT CO-ORDINATOR<br />
ALAN<br />
BASKERVILLE<br />
KIT CO-ORDINATOR<br />
ANDREW<br />
CRUICKSHANK<br />
PSYCHOLOGIST<br />
ANDY<br />
RAMSHAW<br />
MATCH-DAY DOCTOR<br />
LINDSAY<br />
MCNAUGHTON<br />
PERFORMANCE NUTRITIONIST<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM STAFF<br />
32 33
1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
SENIOR<br />
WELCOME TO THE<br />
TRUE NORTH<br />
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 2023 -24<br />
ACADEMY<br />
BEN<br />
DOUGLAS<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
OLLIE<br />
FLETCHER<br />
NATHAN<br />
GREENWOOD<br />
SCRUM-HALF<br />
HOOKER<br />
WING<br />
BORN: 16/01/04 BORN: 09/09/02<br />
BORN: 20/11/03<br />
HEIGHT: 1.77M (5FT 8) HEIGHT: 1.83M (6FT)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.75M (5FT 7)<br />
WEIGHT: 75KG (11ST 11) WEIGHT: 106KG (16ST 9)<br />
WEIGHT: 77KG (12ST 1)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U19<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20<br />
HONOURS: GREAT BRITAIN 7S<br />
JOAN MILNE<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
LOUIE<br />
JOHNSON<br />
FLY-HALF<br />
BORN: 13/06/03<br />
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)<br />
WEIGHT: 93KG (14ST 9)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - SENIOR ACADEMY PLAYERS<br />
FINN<br />
BAKER<br />
SAM<br />
CLARK<br />
LUKE<br />
COULSTON<br />
LOCK PROP LOCK<br />
BORN: 17/10/04 BORN: 31/1/04 BORN: 17/07/04<br />
HEIGHT: 2.01M (6FT 7) HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT) HEIGHT: 2M (6FT 6)<br />
WEIGHT: 100KG (15ST 10) WEIGHT: 120KG (18ST 13) WEIGHT: 95KG (14ST 13)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U18<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U18<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
MARK<br />
DORMER<br />
PROP<br />
BORN: 16/09/02<br />
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)<br />
WEIGHT: 110KG (17ST 4)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
ISAAC<br />
KELLER<br />
JACOB<br />
OLIVER<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
BEN<br />
REDSHAW<br />
PROP<br />
HOOKER<br />
CENTRE/FULL-BACK<br />
BORN: 30/03/05 BORN: 15/3/05<br />
BORN: 10/1/05<br />
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.77M (5FT 10)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)<br />
WEIGHT: 114KG (17ST 13) WEIGHT: 95KG (14ST 13)<br />
WEIGHT: 80KG (12ST 8)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U18<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U18<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U19<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
SPONSORED BY<br />
Hodgkinson &<br />
Lawson<br />
MIKE<br />
REWCASTLE<br />
PROP<br />
BORN: 17/05/04<br />
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT)<br />
WEIGHT: 113KG (17ST 11)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U18<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - SENIOR ACADEMY PLAYERS<br />
34<br />
35
1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
ADAM<br />
SCOTT<br />
OLIVER<br />
SPENCER<br />
MARCUS<br />
TIFFEN<br />
LOCK<br />
FULL-BACK<br />
BACK ROW<br />
BORN: 27/11/01 BORN: 22/2/04<br />
BORN: 03/09/02<br />
HEIGHT: 1.99M (6FT 6)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT)<br />
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT)<br />
WEIGHT: 110KG (17ST 4) WEIGHT: 94KG (14ST 11)<br />
WEIGHT: 100KG (15ST 10)<br />
HONOURS: ENGLAND U17<br />
KEITH<br />
ROBINSON<br />
ACADEMY DPP MANAGER<br />
NICK<br />
TODD<br />
ACADEMY PERFORMANCE<br />
MANAGER<br />
1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
MICHAEL<br />
FERGUSON<br />
SENIOR ACADEMY STRENGTH<br />
& CONDITIONING COACH<br />
JOE<br />
MARTIN<br />
JUNIOR ACADEMY ATHLETIC<br />
DEVELOPMENT COACH<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
AVAILABLE TO<br />
SPONSOR<br />
CATHERINE<br />
BOAL<br />
ACADEMY PHYSIO<br />
JAKE<br />
GRIFFIN<br />
ACADEMY PHYSIO<br />
CHERYL<br />
ABDUL<br />
ACADEMY ADMINISTRATOR<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - SENIOR ACADEMY PLAYERS + ACADEMY STAFF<br />
36<br />
STAFF<br />
1. 1. 1.<br />
1.<br />
ACADEMY<br />
JAMES<br />
PONTON<br />
HEAD OF ACADEMY<br />
MARK<br />
LAYCOCK<br />
COACH<br />
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 2023 -24<br />
PJ<br />
BUTLER<br />
ACADEMY COACH<br />
JACK<br />
HAYES<br />
ACADEMY COACH<br />
BE PART OF THE TEAM<br />
TO SPONSOR A PLAYER, EMAIL<br />
corporatesales@newcastle-falcons.co.uk<br />
0191 214 2892<br />
SQUAD 2023-24 - ACADEMY STAFF<br />
37
PLAYER STATS<br />
Name<br />
<strong>Falcons</strong><br />
career<br />
apps<br />
<strong>Falcons</strong><br />
career<br />
points<br />
<strong>Falcons</strong><br />
career<br />
tries<br />
Season<br />
2023-24<br />
apps<br />
Season<br />
2023-24<br />
points<br />
Season<br />
2023-24<br />
tries<br />
Name<br />
<strong>Falcons</strong><br />
career<br />
apps<br />
<strong>Falcons</strong><br />
career<br />
points<br />
<strong>Falcons</strong><br />
career<br />
tries<br />
Season<br />
2023-24<br />
apps<br />
Season<br />
2023-24<br />
points<br />
Season<br />
2023-24<br />
tries<br />
Josh Bainbridge 5 0 0 5 0 0 Freddie Lockwood 33 10 2 8 5 1<br />
Finn Baker 1 0 0 1 0 0 Charlie Maddison 28 5 1 1 0 0<br />
Josh Barton 12 10 2 3 0 0 Murray McCallum 8 0 0 8 0 0<br />
Eduardo Bello 2 0 0 2 0 0 Kiran McDonald 8 5 1 8 5 1<br />
Jamie Blamire 95 115 23 6 15 3 Matias Moroni 16 5 1 1 0 0<br />
Phil Brantingham 18 0 0 10 0 0 Elliott Obatoyinbo 25 15 3 7 0 0<br />
Adam Brocklebank 110 0 0 11 0 0 Jacob Oliver 0 0 0 0 0 0<br />
Louis Brown 3 15 3 3 15 3 Matias Orlando 43 20 4 8 5 1<br />
Bryan Byrne 5 10 2 5 10 2 Hugh O'Sullivan 8 0 0 8 0 0<br />
Tim Cardall 5 0 0 5 0 0 Richard Palframan 31 0 0 3 0 0<br />
Mateo Carreras 37 80 16 1 0 0 Tom Penny 92 50 10 6 0 0<br />
Callum Chick 133 100 20 8 5 1 Guy Pepper 16 20 4 9 5 1<br />
Sam Clark 1 0 0 1 0 0 Max Pepper 1 5 1 1 5 1<br />
Brett Connon 96 467 2 8 47 0 Vereimi Qorowale 2 5 1 0 0 0<br />
Luke Coulston 1 0 0 0 0 0 Adam Radwan 102 260 52 8 15 3<br />
Sam Cross 7 0 0 7 0 0 Ben Redshaw 5 0 0 5 0 0<br />
Sebastien de Chaves 47 10 2 8 10 2 Mike Rewcastle 0 0 0 0 0 0<br />
Mark Dormer 4 0 0 1 0 0 Pedro Rubiolo 10 5 1 3 0 0<br />
Ben Douglas 5 5 1 2 5 1 Adam Scott 0 0 0 0 0 0<br />
James Elliott 1 0 0 1 0 0 Oliver Spencer 2 0 0 2 0 0<br />
Ollie Fletcher 12 15 3 4 10 2 Iwan Stephens 18 50 10 6 30 6<br />
Nathan Greenwood 1 5 1 0 0 0 Ben Stevenson 72 90 20 6 10 2<br />
John Hawkins 4 0 0 4 0 0 Sam Stuart 90 40 8 8 0 0<br />
Cameron Hutchison 5 0 0 5 0 0 Mark Tampin 82 0 0 8 0 0<br />
Rory Jennings 5 0 0 5 0 0 Corbin Thunder 0 0 0 0 0 0<br />
Louie Johnson 9 33 1 5 25 1 Josh Thomas 13 21 0 4 4 0<br />
Isaac Keller 0 0 0 0 0 0 Marcus Tiffen 9 10 2 2 0 0<br />
John Kelly 4 0 0 4 0 0 Philip van der Walt 46 15 3 5 0 0<br />
Zach Kerr 16 15 3 5 5 1 Michael van Vuuren 6 5 1 6 5 1<br />
Ollie Leatherbarrow 2 0 0 2 0 0 George Wacokecoke 65 85 17 1 5 1<br />
PLAYER STATS<br />
39
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ALL OUR<br />
YESTERDAYS<br />
Kingsley Hyland’s regular<br />
historical feature returns,<br />
telling the story of games<br />
played 40, 35 and 20 years<br />
ago.<br />
LEFT<br />
Brian Patrick<br />
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS<br />
40 years ago – November 26, 1983<br />
Preston Grasshoppers 15-15 Gosforth<br />
Prior to the introduction of the RFU leagues later in the decade<br />
the County Championship remained the premier domestic<br />
rugby competition and an important stepping stone on the<br />
road to international selection.<br />
With the New Zealand All Blacks on tour and scheduled to play<br />
the North at Gateshead Stadium there was an added incentive<br />
for Northumberland players to shine.<br />
Club fixtures were still played throughout the County Championship<br />
season and this had a major impact on selection at<br />
Gosforth as the team travelled to Preston Grasshoppers, who<br />
were one of the top clubs in Lancashire at the time.<br />
Although the club’s fortunes had steadily declined since the<br />
second John Player Cup win in 1977 it is a sign of Gosforth’s<br />
great strength in depth that they could take what amounted to<br />
a second team to Preston and eke out a creditable draw.<br />
Prior to the introduction of the RFU leagues later in the decade<br />
the County Championship remained the premier domestic<br />
rugby competition and an important stepping stone on the<br />
road to international selection.<br />
Ordinarily, England triallist Brian Patrick would have been with<br />
the county team for their crucial group match against Devon<br />
at the County Ground, but he was coming back from injury and<br />
testing his recovery in a club match.<br />
Gosforth managed only one try through Andy Green, who<br />
by this was playing most of his rugby in the club’s Veterans<br />
team. Patrick’s left boot proved decisive with two penalties<br />
and a conversion whilst <strong>Newcastle</strong> Polytechnic student Paul<br />
Jamieson also kicked a penalty.<br />
The Gosforth team was as follows:<br />
B.Patrick; D.Weaver; H.Patrick; S.Archer; P.Jamieson; A.Green;<br />
T.Cleghorn; G.Humphreys; K.Lynch; E.Williams; H.Nicholson;<br />
M.Hutchinson; D.Davidson; M.O’Hara; R.Anderson (capt).<br />
As for the county match, this was a ‘winner takes all’ sort of<br />
game as the victor would avoid relegation at the expense of<br />
the loser. In the event it was far from a classic, played on a<br />
sodden pitch after heavy rain.<br />
Devon were the more enterprising side but could not win<br />
enough quick ball to give their backs a platform as Northumberland<br />
won 19-11 to retain their place in the top tier of the<br />
County Championship.<br />
The Northumberland team was as follows:<br />
S.Macrae (Northern); J.Pollock (Gosforth); R.Breakey (Gosforth);<br />
W.Telford (Alnwick); S.Gustard (Gosforth); D.Johnson<br />
(Gosforth); G.Sturgeon (Tynedale); C.White (Gosforth);<br />
T.Bell (Alnwick); J.Curry (Gosforth); S.Bainbridge; T.Roberts<br />
(Gosforth) (capt); S.Edwards (Gosforth); S.Byrne (Gosforth);<br />
G.Smallwood (Gosforth).<br />
In addition to the 11 Gosforth players in the starting XV, hooker<br />
John Chappell was playing for Durham and Derek Briggs and<br />
Mark Richardson for Cumbria, who would also doubtless have<br />
included Neil McDowell but for injury.<br />
35 YEARS AGO – NOVEMBER 26,<br />
1988<br />
GOSFORTH 16-14 LONDON SCOTTISH<br />
When the RFU leagues were finally introduced after years of<br />
soul searching, clubs were told which opponents they had to<br />
play to fulfil their league obligations, but not when they had to<br />
play them. This required club fixture secretaries to ‘negotiate’<br />
the fixtures in a way that enabled the clubs to retain their<br />
most attractive ‘friendly’ games.<br />
By some strange quirk Gosforth found themselves having to<br />
play the three ‘Exiles’ sides – London Welsh, London Irish and<br />
London Scottish – on successive Saturdays in November.<br />
The team had started the league season poorly. They had lost<br />
at home to Bedford (16-17) and at Blackheath (10-34) and<br />
Coventry (12-19), and had secured just won win – 16-4 at home<br />
to Richmond – prior to the three Exiles fixtures.<br />
Gosforth were able to dominate London Welsh for the first<br />
hour of the game at the Great North Road before allowing<br />
Welsh to run in four tries. The home team were grimly hanging<br />
on to a 34-26 lead when the final whistle sounded.<br />
The following week they came a cropper 7-35 at London Irish<br />
so that the home fixture with London Scottish became pivotal<br />
if a relegation battle from Division Two was to be avoided.<br />
Although fly-half Peter Clark gave the home side a 3-0 lead<br />
with a third-minute penalty, Scottish dominated the first three<br />
quarters of the match as Gosforth dropped off tackles and<br />
made numerous handling errors.<br />
Scottish responded to Clark’s penalty with two tries. First,<br />
full-back Grant Corbett crossed following a free-flowing move,<br />
and then hooker Rob Howe went over following a move that<br />
originated with wing Lindsay Renwick’s break from his own 22,<br />
which exposed the home side’s defensive frailties.<br />
Fortunately for Gosforth goal-kicking was to prove the visitors’<br />
Achilles heel, and both conversions were missed. Nick Grecian<br />
did succeed with a penalty and Clark added a second penalty,<br />
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS<br />
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but Scottish led 11-6 at the break.<br />
Scottish extended the lead on 42 minutes with a smart Grecian<br />
drop goal from 35 metres, and as Clark missed with two<br />
penalty attempts another league defeat appeared to be on the<br />
cards.<br />
Gradually, however, Gosforth, whose scrum had had the edge<br />
all match, gained the ascendency as they made use of an<br />
effective ruck and maul to put the visitors under pressure.<br />
Scrum-half Davy Walker touched down a pushover five-metre<br />
scrum, and Clark’s conversion narrowed the deficit to two<br />
points at 12-14.<br />
Gosforth continued to hammer away at the Scottish line but<br />
still trailed as injury time approached. They then lost control<br />
of an attacking scrum but Walker did a brilliant job of tidying<br />
up the mess before sweeping round the blindside to draw his<br />
team level. Clark held his nerve to convert from wide out on the<br />
right, and the home team led for the first time since the third<br />
minute.<br />
There was still time for Scottish to win a penalty within kicking<br />
range but their kicking woes continued, and Gosforth claimed<br />
the vital two league points.<br />
The Gosforth team was follows:<br />
D.Briggs; D.Ogilvie; T.Henderson; D.Clegg; T.Elliott; P.Clark;<br />
D.Walker; R.Moffitt; G.Cooper; J.Curry; S.Bainbridge;<br />
K.Westgarth; G.Smallwood (capt); N.Frankland; P.Johns.<br />
Two names stand out. Although Steve Gustard won two John<br />
Player Cups with Gosforth and captained Northumberland to<br />
the 1981 County Championship, the Gustard name is now more<br />
often linked to his son Paul, who has made a name for himself<br />
as a coach.<br />
Paul never played for the club as a senior, and was playing for<br />
Blaydon when the game turned professional in 1995. The story<br />
goes that Rob Andrew and Dean Ryan went to watch him play<br />
for Blaydon with a view to signing him, but came away with<br />
Steve O’Neill instead. Whilst Steve had a successful period with<br />
the <strong>Falcons</strong> Paul went on to play for Leicester, London Irish and<br />
Saracens.<br />
Below<br />
Gosforth’s 1988-89 squad<br />
Back row: S.Gustard (head coach); S.Byrne;<br />
J.Curry; B.Chick; C.Hall; D.Morley; T.Elliott<br />
Middle row: M.Stokoe (chair of selectors);<br />
M.Fraser; G.Cooper; T.Roberts; P.Johns; R.Parker;<br />
T.Henderson; F.Short; C.White; K.Hyland (team<br />
manager); A.McConnell (assistant coach)<br />
Front row: P.Clark; R.Wilkinson; J.Gray (president);<br />
G.Smallwood (club captain); D.Briggs;<br />
D.Clegg; J.Whisker.<br />
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS<br />
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Paddy Johns was from Ballymena in Northern Ireland and<br />
was in his second year as a dentistry student at <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
University, having failed to gain entry to Trinity College, Dublin.<br />
Vyvyan scored the game’s first try on 15 minutes following a<br />
break from Jim Naylor and good work from young scrum-half<br />
Allen Chilten.<br />
Such was his progress on the rugby field that Trinity College<br />
had second thoughts and let him complete his degree in<br />
Dublin, and so he only played one season at Gosforth. Following<br />
his return to Ireland he won 59 caps in the second row and<br />
signed for Saracens went the game turned professional.<br />
Andrew converted from in front and the <strong>Falcons</strong> had a lead<br />
(10-6) which they would never surrender. Jarvis kicked a third<br />
penalty but the <strong>Falcons</strong> responded when Richard Arnold was<br />
driven over by his pack after 25 minutes. Andrew could not<br />
convert but the <strong>Falcons</strong> led 22-9 at the break.<br />
25 YEARS AGO – NOVEMBER 22,<br />
1998<br />
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 36-16<br />
CARDIFF<br />
With barely a minute of the second half gone replacement<br />
scrum-half Hall Charlton released centre Graham Childs to<br />
score between the posts, and with Andrew’s conversion it was<br />
29-9.<br />
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS<br />
The biggest disappointment for the <strong>Falcons</strong>’ Premiership side<br />
in 1998 was the fact that their stellar team was not able to<br />
test itself against the best in Europe following the English<br />
clubs’ boycott of that year’s Heineken Cup. This undoubtedly<br />
hastened the break-up of that side.<br />
To fill some of the resulting holes in the fixture list the<br />
Premiership clubs arranged home-and-away fixtures against<br />
Welsh sides Swansea and Cardiff.<br />
Cardiff’s visit to Kingston Park enabled director of rugby<br />
Rob Andrew to give some of his younger players a run-out<br />
alongside some seasoned veterans. Cardiff, who had lost<br />
just one of their previous ten matches against Premiership<br />
opposition, included future Falcon Liam Botham at full-back.<br />
Cardiff led early on with two Paul Jarvis penalties in the<br />
opening five minutes before the <strong>Falcons</strong> realised that they<br />
were at least the equal of their famous opponents. Andrew<br />
narrowed the gap with a ninth-minute penalty before Hugh<br />
Any chance of an unlikely Cardiff fightback was snuffed out<br />
ten minutes later when Arnold crossed for his second try,<br />
Andrew again converting.<br />
On 59 minutes Naylor could again take credit for the assist<br />
as Jim Cartmell scored his first try for the club. Andrew’s<br />
conversion saw the end of the home side’s scoring as they<br />
gave game time to Ed Thorpe, Jamie Noon and Neil Frankland.<br />
The match was in its dying moments when Craig Morgan<br />
scored a consolation try for the visitors, converted by Jarvis,<br />
for a final score of 36-16.<br />
The <strong>Falcons</strong> team that day was as follows:<br />
P.Massey; J.Naylor (rep. E.Thorpe 62); M.Shaw (rep. J.Noon 62);<br />
G.Childs; M.Wood; R.Andrew (capt); A.Chilten (rep. H.Charlton<br />
38); I.Peel (rep. S.Best 41); R.Horton; M.Hurter; R.Beattie;<br />
H.Vyvyan; S.O’Neill; J.Cartmell; R.Arnold (rep. N.Frankland 69).<br />
RIGHT<br />
JIM NAYLOR<br />
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS<br />
50<br />
51
FIXTURES AND RESULTS<br />
FIXTURES AND RESULTS<br />
FOR 6-17<br />
YEAR OLDS<br />
SEPTEMBER<br />
PRC Sat Sep 9 Ampthill W 17-40<br />
PRC FRI SEP 15 BEDFORD BLUES W 26-16<br />
PRC FRI SEP 22 SALE SHARKS W 23-10<br />
PRC Sat Sep 30 Leicester Tigers L 60-7<br />
OCTOBER<br />
PRC SUN OCT 8 CALDY W 66-13<br />
GP Sat Oct 14 Bath L 34-26<br />
JANUARY<br />
GP FRI JAN 5 HARLEQUINS 7.45pm<br />
ECC FRI JAN 12 BENETTON RUGBY 8pm<br />
ECC Sun Jan 21 Perpignan 1pm<br />
GP Sat Jan 27 Northampton Saints 2pm<br />
MARCH<br />
GP Mar 22/23/24 <strong>Exeter</strong> <strong>Chiefs</strong> TBC<br />
GP MAR 29/30/31 LEICESTER TIGERS TBC<br />
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS<br />
52<br />
GP FRI OCT 20 GLOUCESTER (L 14-18)<br />
GP SUN OCT 29 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (L 14-16)<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
GP Sat Nov 4 Harlequins (L 40-12)<br />
GP SUN NOV 12 SARACENS (L 50-12)<br />
GP Fri Nov 17 Sale Sharks (L 40-22)<br />
GP SUN NOV 26 EXETER CHIEFS 3pm<br />
DECEMBER<br />
GP Sun Dec 3 Leicester Tigers 3pm<br />
ECC SUN DEC 10 MONTPELLIER 3.15pm<br />
ECC Sat Dec 16 Emirates Lions 3.15pm<br />
GP FRI DEC 22 BRISTOL BEARS 7.45pm<br />
GP Sat Dec 30 Saracens 3pm<br />
NEXT TIME AT KP<br />
V MONTPELLIER<br />
SUN DEC 10th<br />
ECC<br />
Kick-off: 3:15 pm<br />
KEY: GP = Gallagher Premiership, ECC = EPCR Challenge Cup, PRC = Premiership Rugby Cup, F = Friendly.<br />
(Home games in capital letters)<br />
APRIL<br />
ECC Apr 5/6/7 Round of 16<br />
ECC Apr 12/13/14 Quarter-finals<br />
GP Apr 19/20/21 Bristol Bears TBC<br />
GP APR 26/27/28 SALE SHARKS TBC<br />
MAY<br />
ECC May 3/4/5 Semi-finals<br />
GP MAY 10/11/12 BATH TBC<br />
GP May 17/18/19 Gloucester TBC<br />
ECC Fri May 24 Final (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)<br />
JUNE<br />
ECC Apr 5/6/7 Round of 16<br />
ECC Apr 12/13/14 Quarter-finals<br />
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BY MARK SMITH - NEWCASTLE FALCONS MEDIA MANAGER<br />
It is tremendous for <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> to welcome Wor Flags to<br />
Kingston Park this afternoon to add a dash of colour and vibrancy to<br />
the match-day visuals.<br />
The fan-run group are synonymous with the St James’ Park<br />
spectaculars which have lit up football’s Champions League and<br />
Premier League, and although today’s display is on a smaller scale it<br />
will be no less meaningful.<br />
It’s just one of many ways in which the club are looking to try new<br />
things with the aim of improving the match-day experience, and as<br />
always we are keen to hear from supporters.<br />
The backing from the <strong>Falcons</strong>’ playing squad around sharing Wor<br />
Flags on their social media during the build-up has been encouraging,<br />
although I realise I’d taken for granted that everybody automatically<br />
understood the branding.<br />
Our head coach Alex Codling asked me the other day “What does ‘Wor<br />
Flags’ actually mean?”<br />
He was well aware of the organisation and what they do – he just<br />
didn’t know that ‘wor’ means ‘our’ in the Geordie dialect.<br />
“Our flags - I like it, that makes perfect sense,” said the Londoner, who<br />
has been taken by the region’s sporting passion since arriving in the<br />
summer.<br />
The fact that two of Wor Flags’ members are on the Kingston Park<br />
staff - Dan Lycett and Jordan Robinson - is at the heart of how today’s<br />
initiative has come about, although links between the city’s football<br />
club and rugby are nothing new.<br />
Rugby internationals at both league and union have been played at St<br />
James’ Park over the years, and last week brought a reminder of the<br />
connection when the news was announced regarding the death of<br />
David Campbell.<br />
The former Gosforth captain became chairman of rugby and was at<br />
the heart of the deal which saw <strong>Newcastle</strong> United buying Gosforth’s<br />
rugby operation as part of their burgeoning Sporting Club in the<br />
mid-1990s.<br />
Those successful negotiations with Sir John Hall were central to<br />
placing the newly-named <strong>Falcons</strong> at the heart of rugby union’s<br />
professional revolution, and it is no exaggeration to say that without<br />
them the club might not be here today in anywhere near its current<br />
form.<br />
The same is also true regarding the significant investment of Dave<br />
Thompson and Semore Kurdi once the football club decided to go in a<br />
different direction, and while other clubs have floundered the <strong>Falcons</strong><br />
are here to fight another day.<br />
The waving of a few thousand flags alone is not going to solve all of<br />
the sport’s problems, but the fact there is an enthusiasm to engage<br />
and improve can only be a good thing.<br />
Having the Wor Flags name associated with <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> will<br />
draw new eyeballs towards rugby, which is ultimately what we are all<br />
trying to achieve.<br />
FROM THE PRESS BOX - WITH MARK SMITH<br />
55
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LEFT<br />
CENTRE<br />
HENRY SLADE<br />
BELOW<br />
LOCK<br />
RUS TUIMA<br />
IN OPPOSITION<br />
EXETER CHIEFS<br />
NICKNAME<br />
<strong>Chiefs</strong><br />
FOUNDED<br />
1871<br />
HOME GROUND<br />
Sandy Park<br />
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY<br />
ROB BAXTER<br />
CAPTAIN<br />
Jack Yeandle<br />
<strong>Exeter</strong> <strong>Chiefs</strong> arrive at Kingston Park determined to avenge<br />
the 25-21 defeat they suffered here last season.<br />
Sitting third in the table after winning all four of their home<br />
games, the <strong>Chiefs</strong> set out today in search of their first<br />
Premiership away victory in over a year after ten successive<br />
losses on the road.<br />
The Devon side have had a major and well-publicised makeover<br />
to their squad for the current campaign, putting their faith<br />
largely in youth after a summer which saw a host of their<br />
established stars moving on.<br />
Among those heading for the exit were the Simmonds brothers,<br />
Sam and Joe, who departed for France, with the Top 14 also<br />
enticing Jack Nowell and Harry Williams.<br />
Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg rand veteran centre Ian Whitten<br />
both retired, back-row totem Dave Ewers headed to Ulster,<br />
Jannes Kirsten returned to The Bulls, Solomone Kate joined<br />
Leicester Tigers and England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie<br />
headed north to Sale Sharks.<br />
An emphasis on building from the ground up was at the heart<br />
of the recruitment strategy with Wales centre Joe Hawkins<br />
one of a small number of arrivals which also included former<br />
<strong>Falcons</strong> fly-half Will Haydon-Wood, via Wasp and Massy.<br />
Osprey Ethan Roots added back-row ballast having arrived<br />
from Ospreys, and despite their off-season exodus there has<br />
been plenty of promise shown during the opening months of<br />
their campaign.<br />
BELOW<br />
FLY-HALF<br />
HARVEY SKINNER<br />
The Premiership Rugby Cup holders made it through to the<br />
semi-finals of this season’s competition after winning four of<br />
their five pool games, beginning with a 75-0 home thumping of<br />
Bristol Bears.<br />
Round two brought a 38-13 victory away to South-West rivals<br />
Cornish Pirates, with a late-September trip to Jersey seeing the<br />
<strong>Chiefs</strong> as 43-22 winners.<br />
That game was to prove the final match for Jersey Reds as<br />
their financial issues came to the fore in the ensuing days, but<br />
<strong>Exeter</strong>’s cup form continued in the capital with a 47-10 triumph<br />
at London Scottish.<br />
A 34-14 loss at Bath in the last group game could not prevent<br />
them from topping the pool, and the league campaign got<br />
off to a flyer when their 65-10 home thumping of Saracens<br />
provided the shock of the season so far.<br />
Away form in the Premiership has proved more elusive as they<br />
were beaten 22-14 at Harlequins, but their Sandy Park form<br />
continued when Sale Sharks were demolished 49-0 in late<br />
October.<br />
Bristol were beaten 29-20 in Devon before a round-four trip to<br />
Northampton saw the Saints go marching in with a 34-19 East<br />
Midland triumph.<br />
Last weekend’s home game against Gloucester saw a lastminute<br />
penalty from Henry Slade sealing a dramatic 25-24<br />
triumph, setting things up nicely for this afternoon’s Kingston<br />
Park cracker.<br />
IN OPPOSITION - EXETER CHIEFS<br />
61
SCOTT SIO JACK YEANDLE JOE HAWKINS<br />
PROP HOOKER CENTRE<br />
THREE TO<br />
WATCH<br />
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY<br />
ROB BAXTER<br />
The Tavistock-born 52-year-old is an <strong>Exeter</strong> rugby man through and<br />
through, having started with the club’s Colts and played more than<br />
300 senior games for the club.<br />
Taking over as head coach in 2009 and earning promotion into the<br />
Premiership the following year, Baxter stepped up to director of rugby<br />
and led the <strong>Chiefs</strong> to domestic and European glory.<br />
Moving away from day-to-day coaching but still playing an instrumental<br />
role in the club’s rugby department, Baxter remains synonymous<br />
with all things <strong>Exeter</strong>.<br />
The veteran Australian prop is in his second season with<br />
the <strong>Chiefs</strong>, bringing with him 69 international caps worth of<br />
experience for the Wallabies.<br />
Now aged 32 but showing no signs of slowing down, Sio spent<br />
12 seasons with the Brumbies in Canberra before heading<br />
north.<br />
A solid scrummager who is equally destructive in the loose,<br />
Sio played more than 120 games of Super Rugby before<br />
moving north to Devon.<br />
The 33-year-old hooker is one of <strong>Exeter</strong>’s longest-serving<br />
players, with well over 200 appearances for the Devon outfit.<br />
Making his professional breakthrough with Doncaster Knights,<br />
Yeandle joined the <strong>Chiefs</strong> in 2011 and made his debut the<br />
following year.<br />
A Premiership and European Cup winner during his time at<br />
Sandy Park, Yeandle has assumed leadership duties for a<br />
youthful squad and has popped up with more than 30 treis<br />
sduring his time as a Chief.<br />
The 21-year-old Wales centre joined <strong>Exeter</strong> this summer from<br />
Ospreys, for whom he made his professional debut at the age<br />
of 18.<br />
A rugby league player in his youth before focusing on the<br />
15-man code, Hawkins captained Wales at Under-20s level and<br />
also has the ability to slot in at fly-half.<br />
Hawkins made his full test debut for Wales in November 2022,<br />
starting against Australia.<br />
IN OPPOSITION - EXETER CHIEFS<br />
65
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We have several great packages available including<br />
everything from a full five course meal or a cook to<br />
order pod to delicious street food there’s something<br />
for everyone to enjoy at our match days with pricing<br />
starting from £65 plus VAT per adult and £35 plus VAT per<br />
U18. Scan the QR or visit www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/<br />
tickets-and-hospitality/hospitality to find out more.<br />
All our hospitality bookings are handled by our commercial<br />
team. To book or request additional details please contact<br />
the team by emailing<br />
corporatesales@newcastle-falcons.co.uk<br />
or call them on 0191 214 2892.<br />
SEASONAL<br />
Hospitality<br />
KINETIC PROPERTIES | MACRON | MY NAME’5 DODDIE | 0800 REPAIR | OAKES ENERGY<br />
JACK & JONQUIL STEWART | KEVIN & MARGIE WILSON | WADE BROWN | BORDERSTONE QUARRIES<br />
LOCKERBIE FAMILY | THE KNOWLEDGE SPIRAL LTD | IVANHOE FORGE LTD | RAILVIEW | NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY<br />
GEOFF & MARIE PENRICE | STELRAD | COUNTRYSIDE CIVIL ENGINEERING | SINTONS | FERGUSONS TRANSPORT<br />
KAI WHITING | TONY FLYNN | DH1 WATER SERVICES | CATERPILLAR PETERLEE | MERCURY ORTHOPAEDICS<br />
LONGSCAR MARINE CONSULTANTS | IAIN VARAH
JOIN THE CAUSE<br />
ALBERT’S XV TO<br />
TAKE ON THE REST<br />
OF THE WORLD<br />
On Saturday December 23 Ashington Joint Welfare Rugby Club<br />
will host a charity rugby match played in aid of Dementia UK.<br />
It’s estimated that over one million people in the UK will have a<br />
diagnosis of dementia by 2025, and almost all of us will know<br />
someone living with the condition. Longstanding clubman,<br />
former player and club secretary Albert Armstrong was<br />
diagnosed with the condition earlier this year.<br />
To raise much-needed funds and increase awareness AJWRFC<br />
is asking for is asking for anyone who wants to participate in<br />
a pre-Christmas match hosted by Albert and his family for a<br />
contribution of £5 per head to go to Dementia UK.<br />
Vice president Ian Storey said: “Albert is well known in rugby<br />
clubs across the North East and we’d love to see as many<br />
people as possible with a connection to him get involved in this<br />
game. You can be any age and could join us for one minute or<br />
80.”<br />
President Paul Tanney added: “The day will be focused on<br />
raising awareness and fundraising for Dementia UK in a rugby<br />
environment as well as putting on a show for Albert and his<br />
family. The day promises to be a memorable one, so please do<br />
come along and support this worthwhile cause.”<br />
Dementia can affect anyone at any age but its more common<br />
symptoms, such as memory loss, confusion, problems with<br />
speech and understanding are ones which unfortunately<br />
worsen over time. It’s most common in people over the age of<br />
65.<br />
The match will kick off at 1pm, and as an added attraction<br />
there will be live commentary from BBC Radio <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s<br />
Dean Gray and co-commentator for the day, VP Ian Storey. The<br />
game will be followed by fundraising, catering and no doubt a<br />
beer or two while reminiscing about games of yesteryear.<br />
For more information or details how you can get involved or to<br />
sponsor, please contact -<br />
ashingtonrfc@gmail.com<br />
TYNEDALE WOMEN<br />
IN SPORT<br />
Tynedale RFC Ladies would like to invite you and/or your team<br />
to their Tynedale Women in Sport Lunch on Saturday December<br />
2 at Tynedale Rugby Club.<br />
This will be an opportunity for like-minded women from all<br />
sporting backgrounds to socialise, network, enjoy some great<br />
food and drink and celebrate being women who love playing<br />
and being involved in sport.<br />
Ruth Scott, president of the Northumberland RFU, and Penny<br />
Stewart, RFU Council member, will both be attending the meal.<br />
Team tables are available and tickets are £20pp, which<br />
includes a two-course meal and entry into the men’s first team<br />
game that afternoon in National League 2 North against league<br />
leaders, Leeds Tykes.<br />
The clubhouse bar will be open all day and the event starts at<br />
12 noon.<br />
Book tickets by messaging the Tynedale Women in Sport<br />
Facebook page or email<br />
tynedaleladiesrfc@gmail.com .<br />
NORTHUMBERLAND RUGBY UNION<br />
69
arbour.com<br />
GIMME<br />
FIVE!<br />
Our quickfire Q&A puts a <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> player<br />
under the spotlight, getting to know them on and off<br />
the field.<br />
This week it’s the turn of full-back Louis Brown, the<br />
Yorkshireman who joined in the summer from Coventry.<br />
Pre-match music?<br />
House/rock.<br />
Cheat meal?<br />
Pizza.<br />
Pre-match music?<br />
I like to listen to Argentinian music – a playlist with a mix<br />
of pop, rock, cumbia and cuarteto.<br />
Cheat meal?<br />
Definitely Argentinian BBQ!.<br />
Hobbies?<br />
Spend time with family/friends and play golf.<br />
Ideal holiday destination?<br />
Ibiza.<br />
Rugby hero?<br />
The Australian rugby league legend Billy Slater.<br />
GIMMIE FIVE! - PHIL BRANTINGHAM<br />
71
SUSTAINABILITY AT NEWCASTLE RUGBY LIMITED:<br />
Championing the Future of Sport and the Planet<br />
Another team<br />
you can count on<br />
Nuffield Health <strong>Newcastle</strong> Hospital<br />
At <strong>Newcastle</strong> Rugby Limited, we are committed to driving sustainability in the world of<br />
sports and entertainment. Our vision extends beyond the thrill of the game, focusing<br />
on the long-term well-being of our planet, our community, and future generations.<br />
Here are our key messages on sustainability:<br />
1. Greening the Game:<br />
We are actively reducing our carbon footprint through energy-efficient<br />
technologies and renewable energy sources. From LED floodlighting to future<br />
planning for solar panels, we’re dedicated to minimising our impact on the<br />
environment.<br />
2. Waste Reduction:<br />
We’re tackling waste head-on by implementing recycling programs, reducing<br />
single-use plastics, and encouraging fans to join us on our journey. Together,<br />
we aim to create a cleaner, greener stadium experience.<br />
3. Food Waste:<br />
We have reduced our food waste and all our products are UK sourced.<br />
Ultimately, locally sourced food products policy reflects a commitment to<br />
fostering local economies, reducing environmental impact, and providing<br />
consumers with fresh and high-quality food options. It can also be tailored<br />
to the specific goals and circumstances of the organisation or community<br />
implementing it.<br />
4. Biodiversity and Green Spaces:<br />
Our stadium isn’t just a venue; it’s a hub for nature. We’re nurturing green<br />
spaces around the stadium, creating habitats for local wildlife, and enhancing<br />
the overall quality of life in our neighbourhood.<br />
5. Inclusivity and Accessibility:<br />
We’re ensuring everyone can enjoy the excitement of our games by prioritising<br />
accessibility and inclusivity in our stadium design. From accessible seating to<br />
quiet break out spaces, we’re fostering an inclusive fan experience.<br />
We’ve been providing outstanding private healthcare to people in the<br />
North East for over 40 years. You can trust our team of dedicated experts<br />
who offer a wide range of treatments including:<br />
• Hip and knee surgery<br />
• Joint preservation surgery<br />
• Cataract surgery<br />
• Neck and spinal surgery<br />
• Men’s health – bladder and prostate<br />
• Women’s health – breast screening.<br />
To find out more call 0808 149 3239<br />
or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/newcastle-upon-tyne<br />
6. Future-Proofing Sport<br />
Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s the future of sports and entertainment.<br />
By adopting eco-friendly practices, we’re safeguarding the longevity of our<br />
stadium and the sports we all love.<br />
7. Inspiring Change:<br />
Our Stadium is more than a venue; it’s a platform for positive change. We’re<br />
committed to inspiring fans, partners, and the sports industry to embrace<br />
sustainability and make a lasting impact.<br />
Join us on this exciting journey towards a more sustainable future. Together, we can<br />
make every game a win for both our teams and the planet. <strong>Newcastle</strong> Rugby Limited:<br />
Where Passion Meets Sustainability.
QUIZ<br />
Test your knowledge on all<br />
things rugby with our ten-question<br />
teaser. Answers are upside<br />
down at the bottom of the page.<br />
NORTH STAND<br />
ADULT £15<br />
U18 £7<br />
Q1 <strong>Exeter</strong> <strong>Chiefs</strong> head coach Ali Hepher<br />
played rugby for which North-East<br />
university?<br />
Q2 Which <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> player is<br />
pictured here?<br />
Q6 England wing Henry Arundell now<br />
plays for which French club?<br />
Q7 Which former <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> and<br />
<strong>Exeter</strong> <strong>Chiefs</strong> player is pictured here?<br />
SOUTH STAND<br />
ADULT £20<br />
U18 £7<br />
WEST SEATS<br />
ADULT £25<br />
U18 £12<br />
Q3 Which URC team plays its home<br />
games in Belfast?<br />
Q8 The State of Origin series is contested<br />
annually between which two rugby league<br />
teams?<br />
EAST SEATS<br />
ADULT £45<br />
U18 £25<br />
Q4 True or false, <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong><br />
flanker Sam Cross has won an Olympic<br />
silver medal?<br />
Q9 Which player scored the most points<br />
at this year’s Rugby World Cup?<br />
GROUP<br />
TICKETS<br />
ADULT £13<br />
U18 £6<br />
SCAN TO PURCHASE<br />
QUIZ<br />
Q5 ‘Acts Blond Wit’ is an anagram of<br />
which <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Falcons</strong> coach’s name?<br />
Q10 Which team did <strong>Exeter</strong> <strong>Chiefs</strong> beat<br />
in last season’s Premiership Rugby Cup<br />
final?<br />
ANSWERS: 1 Northumbria, 2 Guy Pepper, 3 Ulster, 4 True, 5 Scott Baldwin, 6 Racing 92, 7 Will Chudley, 8 Queensland and<br />
New South Wales, 9 Owen Farrell, 10 London Irish.<br />
PREMIUM<br />
SEATING*<br />
ADULT £45<br />
U18 £25<br />
* HALFWAY LINE SEATING<br />
TICKETS:<br />
WWW.NEWCASTLEFALCONS.CO.UK<br />
0191 214 5588 OPT 1<br />
74
Photo from The Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final 2023<br />
TACKLE<br />
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causing real shortages in every sector<br />
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Gallagher is helping organisations and their<br />
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Let Gallagher help you.<br />
THE GALLAGHER WAY. SINCE 1927.<br />
ajg.com/uk/employeebenefits-consulting/<br />
E: sayhello@ajg.com<br />
T: +44 (0)20 7204 8990<br />
Gallagher and Gallagher Employee Benefits are trading names of Gallagher Risk & Reward Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the<br />
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by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AW. Registered in England and Wales.<br />
Company Number: 1193013. FP900-2022b Exp 15.06.2023 | ARTUK-4318