David Mathews
The season was blighted in the worst possible way, by the sudden death of David Matthews, the Colts coach. David had a close rapport with the players and with his calm and cheerful approach found the youngsters responded well to his coaching. A trophy will be presented annually in David's memory to the junior player who has made the greatest contribution to his side during the season.

Joseph Barker
President 1968-1970

John Symm
Full Back before and after the 1939/45 war - held posts as Teams Secretary and Fixtures Secretary.

Special Efforts Committee
All credit this year to John Robinson and his Special Efforts team . Were it not for Special Efforts revenue, the club would have serious financial difficulties. This year efforts included an inaugural Motor Show, the fourth Tynedale Agricultural Show, pre-match lunches, supper evenings, a Jazz night, a Traction Rally and two Harness Race meetings. In addition to all of these the 200 club and Meat Draw once again made good profits.

Next season, the Special Efforts team is to be split into two, with one group dealing with purely social ‘in-house’ activities and another for outside events.

Wilf Young
The departure of Wilf Young, groundsman for many years both at Dene Park, Hexham and then at Tynedale Park, was a blow. His retirement because of the ill-health of his wife and the constant attention she required was recognised by a ‘farewill night’ and the presentation of a cheque and tankard. Gary Treadgold was appointed as replacement.

Ladies Committee
A new Ladies committee was formed half-way through the season.

Hawick Sevens
The club was invited to participate in the Hawick Centenary Sevens but, having beaten Glasgow Accies, lost to Hawick, the ultimate winners, so failing to repeat the club’s success in winning the competition a hundred years’ ago.

Club Tour
The club tour to Gloucester was a roaring success in ever6y respect, with wins on Good Friday against Ledbury, against a previously unbeaten Coney Hill the following day, and success in the Ross-on-Wye Sevens on Easter Day – where we also won the Plate. Defeat by Hereford on Easter Monday was not unexpected, John Shotton arranged the weekend as excellently as always.

Entrance Ramp
A ramp into the clubhouse for the benefit of the disabled was constructed through the good offices of Walter Rutherford. Bill Dinning, Len Wood and David Ford.

John Clark
Congratulations to John Clark who, on the recommendation of the Northumberland Playing Fields; Association was presented with a trophy from the Torch Trophy Trust in recognition of his services to youth sport, by H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent. He handed the trophy to the club where it now rests.

Rugby
The 1st XV had a season of mixed results – due mainly to the number of injuries; no fewer than 45 players turned out for the side before December.
It was a very young team – with 10 or more regulars being 22 years old of under. Youngsters who forced their way in were Sean Crystal, Richard Cunningham, Martin White, Gordon Dodd and Philip Sharman. For the first time in ten seasons the first fifteen reached the Northumberland cup-final – losing 12-17 to Gosforth.

The 2nd XV won 16 of their 25 games. From the New Year only one game was lost (Middlesbrough away) before the County Senior Shield final where Gosforth Greyhounds won a close contest 13-18.

The Grasshoppers had a successful season, marred by a cup quarter-final defeat (13-17) by Ponteland.

The Colts season was blighted in the worst possible way, by the sudden death of David Matthews, the coach.

The County Colts Sevens tournament was won by Tynedale, beating Northern in the final. The team also won the Wigton Sevens – beating Carlisle 44-10 in the final.

Ian Harris played for Scotland U21’s at Murrayfield.

Chris Dixon represented the North of England in Dublin.

Edward Parker had an England Colts final trial.

County ‘A’ – Chris Dixon, Richard Parker I, Simon Ricketts, and Iain Harris.
County ‘B’ – Alan Gledson, Richard Cunningham, Martin White and Philip Sharman.
County U21’s – Steven Dunn, Gordon Dodd, Duncan Pierce, Richard Cunningham, Chris Sharman, Ed. Saunders, Iain Harris, Sean Crystal and Martin English.

Match Programme
Tynedale v Middlesbrough - 13th April 1985

Fixture/Membership Booklet (1984-1985)