President: R.R. Halford
Chief Executive: J.K.Laidler
Hon. Secretary: N.S. Foster
Hon Treasurer: A. Cuthbertson
Club Captain: S. Clayton-Hibbott
Club Coach: A. Gledson

OBITUARIES
Norman Reed
Norman died suddenly on Monday 28th February, at the age of 58. Norman played for Tynedale junior sides in the late 70's after playing 20 years at Percy Park, North Durham and Winlaton. When he gave up playing Norman, affectionately known as "Speedy Reedy", turned to refereeing where his cheerful disposition ensured he was always a welcome guest accross the north-east rugby scene.
James (Jim) Cuthbertson
Jim died suddenly, but peacefully, at home on January 31st 2000, aged 83 years. Jim frequented Tynedale home matches for many years and was respected for his quiet,friendly manner and his sensible observations. Unfortunately Jim had missed the past season or so due to failing health - he will be remembered but sadly missed.
Bill Luke
Bill who was a long-standing member of the club sadly died during January 2000. Bill was a prop forward who gave great stalwart playing service to the club and played in Tynedale's 1948 cup-winning side.

RUGBY
The 1999-2000 season was a brilliant season for all at Tynedale with the 1stXV, after 13 years of trying, gaining promotion into the National Leagues with an emphatic 100% league record - becoming league champions with several matches still remaining. As documented below other teams throughout the club added success to what was a truly remarkable season for Tynedale Rugby Club.

TROPHIES GALORE
Season 1999-2000 will go down as a truly remarkable season with the Club having picked up the following honours:-
FIRST XV
Thwaites North 1 League Champions
Northumberland Senior Cup winners
Keith Pattinson Journal Trophy winners
Northumberland County Sevens winners
RAIDERS
The Bob Hardman 'Cock o' the North' Cup winners
Northumberland Junior League 2A Champions
Keith Pattinson Journal 2nd Team Trophy winners
Keith Pattinson 'Team of the Month' for September and December
GRASSHOPPERS
Northumberland Junior Cup winners
HADRIANS
Northumberland Junior Shield winners
COLTS
Northumberland Colts Sevens winners
UNDER 15'S
Northumberland County Champions
UNDER 11'S
Northumberland County Champions
UNDER 7's
Northumberland County Champions

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Raiders - Bob Hardman 'Cock o' the North' Cup winners

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Grasshoppers - County Junior Cup winners

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Hadrians - County Junior Shield winners

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LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS
At the end of a magnificent, unforgettable league championship winning season there are a few facts and figures worth sharing (league games only):-
• Chris Dixon, Dick Parker and Micky Lee played for the 1stXV in all 13 seasons spent in North1 - all farmers!
• Total Points scored: 710 (445 at home, 265 away)
• Total points conceded: 221 (132 at home, 89 away)
• Points difference: 489
• Tries scored: 89 (63 at home, 26 away)
• Tries conceded: 22 (14 at home, 8 away)
• Drop Goals: 5, Conversions: 47, Penalties: 52, Penalty Tries: 6
• No of different players used: 32
• Top points scorer: Alan "Remi" Moses - 246 points (5 tries, 40 conversions, 47 penalties)
• Top Try scorers: Epi Taione 13 tries, Simon Clayton-Hibbott 13 tries.
• 100% Appearances: Keith Johnson(22), Paul Winter(22), Jamie Murray(22), Ross Taylor(22, 1 as rep)

NEWSLETTER APRIL 2000 - "COME ON TYYYYNE" ISSUE 1

The Club started producing a very professional looking Newsletter thanks to a large degree to Huw Mainwaring's creative/design talents.

CLICK HERE to download/view Newsletter

CHIEF EXEC REPORT (1999-2000)

CLICK HERE to download/view

MATCH PROGRAMME
Tynedale v Macclesfield - 15th April 2000

FIXTURE/MEMBERSHIP BOOKLET
CLICK HERE to view

HOPPERS & HADRIANS WIN CUP FINALS
Both the Grasshoppers and the Hadrians played their respective Cup Finals on Saturday 8th April at Northern and both ended victorious.
The Hoppers beat Newcastle University Centaurs (their 2nd XV) 25-13 whilst the Hadrians beat Border Park 25-6. Both matches were excellent examples of competitive rugby at this level - played with a high level of skill and committment in the best of competitive spirits.
The Hoppers were up against a strong University side and it was only in the dying minutes that they gained a convincing lead - scoring 10 points in added time. Although the Hadrians score also looks convincing it was only in the last ten minutes of a hard, fast, entertaining encounter that they eased away from old rivals Border Park with three fine tries.

1stXV PLAYER RECORDS
At end of season:-

40 different players represented the 1stXV (after 30 matches) whilst a staggering 68 different players represented the Raiders (after 24 matches)!
Only one player (Keith Johnson) has started every 1stXV match this season.
The top points scorer for the first team was Alan 'Remi' Moses with 343 points whilst the top try scorer was Epi Taione with 20 tries. (the First XV scored 119 tries in total).

CLICK HERE to view Fixtures and Results for all senior sides.
CLICK HERE to view 1stXV Match Reports for season 1999-2000
CLICK HERE to view 1stXV Playing Records (Teams, Scorers & Appearances)

ARGENTINIAN VISITORS
Tynedale hosted a 40 strong party of Argentenean tourists on Saturday 11th March when Argentinean 2nd Division side Palermo Bajo Cordoba RFC played a mixed Raiders/Hadrians XV. A very strong, athletic Argentenian side ran out 29-19 winners in a very keenly contested match.
The tourists also played matches against Coventry 2nd XV, Cross Keys and Newbury.

RAIDERS CROWNED "COCK O' THE NORTH"
The Raiders won "The Bob Hardman Cock o' the North Trophy" for 1998-1999 when they travelled down to Macclesfield on Saturday 11th December 1999 and won 24-7 against Maccledfield II's.
The match was the final (held over from the end of last season) in which Macclesfield (winners of the Western Section of the '512' Merit table) played the Raiders who topped the sixteen team Eastern Section. The trophy is competed for by the second teams of clubs in North 1 & 2 and from Jewson North 2.

REVIVAL OF COUNTY SEVENS
John Clark was instrumental in reviving the Senior County Sevens Tournament with the event taking place on Sunday 7th May 2000 at Tynedale Park. The event was previously held in 1995.
Tynedale signed off an excellent season by winning the event.

VETERANS MATCH (Dec 4th 1999)
Tynedale Park hosted a Veterans Match (35yrs - 55yrs) on Saturday 4th December when a team from Workington played against a team from Tynedale. Workington came out 20-12 victors in an even well contested match although Workington, who adopted a 'no-kicking' policy, were aghast at some of the tactical punts of their Tynedale counterparts.
The Cumbrians brought a "squad" of almost 40 and stayed the night in Hexham after a successful old-fashioned sing-song etc in the Clubhouse after the match. The match was instigated by Workington lad "Pud" Clarke who propped for Tynedale First XV in the late '70's.
Figuring among the Tynedale ranks were Gus Murray, who won 'man of the match', Andy Oglethorpe, Gary Rutherford, Ian Dodds, Gary Taylor, Fred Dickenson, Steven Dunn and Mark Twelftree.
Workington hold an annual 'Veteran's Tournament' in August and it's hoped that Tynedale can muster a representative party to enter next year's event.

VERSATILE OR WHAT!
Nineteen year old Andrew Murray, younger brother of 1stXV Number 8 Jamie, and son of Tynedale legend 'Gus', demonstrated unusual versatility when playing for the Raiders against Middlesbrough Wasps on Saturday 27th November 1999.
Andrew, normally a very promising flanker, started the match for the second game running in the stand-off position due to a spate of injuries and unavailabilities. With 25 minutes gone there was no score and the Raiders were struggling to win quality ball, particularly in the line out. Tynedale were awarded a penalty in the Boro half which stand-off Murray duly kicked into touch ten metres from the Boro line. At this stage Murray exchanged places in the lineout with Number eight Andrew Robson. The Number 10 shirt soared into the heavens to claim excellent possession which was quickly whisked to second row Fergus Mitchell who drove over for the opening try.
Perhaps the First XV should consider this move with Cramby!
For the records Andrew moved to Number 8 for the second half, was instrumental in several second half tries and missed the last conversion of the match with a drop kick. Andrew also played hooker for the Colts.

RAIDERS WIN 'TEAM OF MONTH' AWARDS
The Raiders won the Journal "Team of the Month" Award, sponsored by Keith Pattinson the Estate Agents, for December 1999 - their second such award of the season.
Record for December:-
Alnwick(H) Won 51-24
Macclesfield(A) Won 24-7
The Raiders also won the Journal "Team of the Month" Award for September 1999.
Record for September:-
Percy Park Lions (H) Won 68-5
Blaydon Georgians (A) Won 45-5
Medicals 1st XV (H) Won 55-0
Northern Wanderers (H) Won 70-5
Points For 238, Points Against 15

EPI IN WORLD CUP 99
Epi Taione was included in the final Tongan World Cup squad of 30 players.
Tonga's games in Pool 'B':-
Sunday 3rd Oct: Tonga 9 v 45 New Zealand at Bristol (3.00pm ko)
Sunday 10th Oct: Tonga 28 v 25 Italy at Leicester (7.00pm ko)
Friday 15th Oct: Tonga 10 v 101 England at Twickenham (1.00pm ko)
Epi was the ninth yougest player in this year's World Cup Tournament - he was 20yrs 6mths 29days old when the Tournament began on Friday October 1st. The youngest player was a Romanian (19yrs 1 mth) whilst Jonny Wilkinson was fifth youngest (20yrs 4mths).
(27/09/99) - Epi not in squad to face New Zealand. He has been told however that he will figure in the later pool matches.
(10/10/99) - Epi played on left wing against Italy on Sunday 10th October. Tonga won 28-25 in a thrilling finish.
Epi, after a dodgy start in which his hands let him down on a couple of occasions, played quite an important part in their victory - being influential in both of Tonga's first half tries. Epi's thunderous tackling was a feature of the match and he would have been quite happy with his contribution. Well done Epi!
Certainly the ITV commentators never missed an opportunity to talk about Epi .
(13/10/99) - Epi named on the bench against England this Friday.
(15/10/99) - Epi came on as second half replacement and played an "active" part in proceedings - he did appear to be one of the few Tongans enjoying themselves. "Who knows - if only Epi had been on from the start!!

E-Mail from Epi (received from Epi prior to start of tournament)
Subj: Greetings from the ruler of Samunda!!(Eppi)
Date: 15/09/99 07:29:38 GMT Daylight Time
From: mdi@daysinn.co.za (Midrand Days Inn)
Reply-to: mdi@daysinn.co.za
To: TynedalRFC@aol.com
A warm greetings and regards to you all from Pretoria South Africa. Thank you for what you have done for me in the last year or two that I've been with you guys, It is a great honour to be part of the Tonga National Squad for this year world cup but without your help and your love I would be nothing, but It's a great privelege to have such chance.
Anyway preparation is going really well and maybe this is fittest I have ever been throughout my rugby career so I'm pretty happy with the preparation so far. I'm a bit bored sometimes coz' everything is too serious but I have to live up withit. Sometimes things are a bit weird due to the fact that every player in this squad plays Super 12 and Provincial rugby and I do feel out of place but again it is a challenge for me to work harder which I do.
I miss you all I wish you we're all here so that we do things in our own way.(who shag the cat? !!) I'm the youngest in the squad and most cheeky one which I've been invovled with every bust up in this camp.(I haven't lost any fight ha! ha!). Again I'm trying hard to be more professional in what I'm doing.(Eat 3 chicken instead of half a chicken) just joking. I'm just praying that no injury will occur in the next 2 weeks so that will be cool and play for all of you in the world cup and kick the poms ass (he! he!) it's allright Peter co'z you're Scottish.
Our first game is on the 3rd of Oct and I'm still pushing hard for the test spot on the wing which I CAN AND I WILL for the All Blacks test. I think I have a really good chance challenging the test spot. Anyway good luck for Saturdays game may the FORCE BE WITH YOU and I know you gonna win if John Fletcher lose some more weight and Simon used his brain instead of leading the team through his a--- (just joking). Anyway have a great start for the season and we'll join up in Oct sometimes and surely we gonna promote this season big time.
My telephone number is (011) 254 2200
fax is (011) 254 2201
and Im in room Ext 222.
Regards to Richard and Marian keep up the good work, more money for the team. John Shotton stop being a dirty b------s, and the Gledsons keep smiling.
Thanks, Epeli Taione.
P.S To Emma party hard and keep away from Soa coz he just to be away from training, fake injuries.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT (1999-2000)
Season 1999/2000 was arguably the best in the club's 124 year history and we shall go into our first year in the national leagues in good heart and confident that we will perform well at that level.

The results from First XV level right down to Mini-Junior rugby, were outstanding and the club seems organisationally sound and well-managed in all its spheres of activity. It seems paradoxical therefore, in this end of season review to express my personal concern about three areas. I have worries about the club's fundraising efforts, secondly I think that communications within the club could be improved, and thirdly, I am concerned by the lack of volunteers needed to carry out the myriad of tasks required for the smooth day-to-day running of the club.

I cannot remember a Tynedale Treasurer who was complacent about the club's income-raising activities but as we enter the national leagues the need to generate income becomes paramount. There are a number of areas on which we can usefully concentrate. A Fund-Raising Committee was set up in March under the chairmanship of Neil Foster and you will see from the Sponsorship section of this report that this group has already come up with some excellent ideas. In his report, Mike Coulson, the Membership Secretary, highlights the substantial loss of income from unpaid players' subscriptions. Tynedale Park and its superb facilities has enormous income-generating potential and although the concept will not be approved by some traditionalists, there is great scope here for a range of non-rugby activities and events.

There is always room for improvement in communications in any organisation and Tynedale RFC is no exception. Although a number of members still have reservations about the current structure of the club, most members probably think that our management organisation suits the operational needs of Tynedale RFC; decision-making is faster and appears to be more efficient. One perceived disadvantage of the 'new' Management Committee, however, is that communications throughout the club may have deteriorated; there seems to be fewer committee members around with whom to express opinions and concerns or to obtain information about what is happening at Tynedale and there is also a view that the club has a number of hidden agendas. A number of innovations have been introduced, however, which should help to inform members. The widely-acclaimed newsletter, edited by Huw Mainwaring, should tell members what is going on and Tynedale RFC now have a superb website, created by Wallace Cousin, which has enormous potential for disseminating information to members or to organisations outside the club. The General Committee of the club meets three times each year and there is a proposal that all members of Tynedale are allowed to attend this forum.

I do not believe, in a club like Tynedale, that information is power and I am of the opinion that there is only a negligible amount of information in the club which should not be freely available to everyone; members of the Management Committee and of other sub-committees have a duty to keep the rest of the club informed of developments. The new Communications sub-committee, whose primary function will be to maintain and improve the dissemination of information, should facilitate in this process but communications are two-way and members who don't think that they know what is going on should be prepared to ask someone who does know.

Like many similar organisations, much of the work of the club is carried out by a relatively small number of hard pressed individuals who do not necessarily have the drive and vision to take the club forward. The majority of members, most of whom have talents and skills which could be used by the club, all have the well-being of Tynedale at heart but do little to assist in the smooth administration of the club. The success of the proposed management structure will be dependent upon the availability of competent and energetic committee members. Last season's playing performance laid the foundations for a very secure future at Tynedale - but we do need more helpers and volunteers to make it happen.

In his report last year, Douglas Hamilton suggested that some work had to be done to improve the efficiency of some committees within the club. A working group under the chairmanship of Tony Coates was set up in the New Year and they made recommendations, accepted by the Management Committee, that the club's activities should be categorised into seven main areas. These seven strands should be:-

Finance
Property
Communications
Development/Forward Planning
Fund Raising
Mini-Junior Rugby
Senior Rugby
At the first committee meeting after the AGM each member of the new Management Committee should be given lead responsibility for one of the strands. That individual will appoint a sub-committee, who should set out their terms of reference, aims, objectives and targets and the sub-committee chairmen would report each month to the main Management Committee.The implementation of these proposals will, I think, reduce inertia and will give more focus in a number of important fields.

Under the leadership of Nick Steenburg, the Mini-Junior section of the club, with up to 230 boys and girls playing each week, continues to thrive. Playing results are excellent and their organisation is very sound. The need to strengthen the links between the Mini-Junior section and the main club would appear to be self-evident; a coordinated approach to a range of issues is needed and within the ranks of the Mini-Junior coaches and parents there is much enthusiasm and expertisewhich the main club should be trying to harness. The presence of a member of the Mini-Junior section on the main Management committee is designed to achieve these aims.

Tynedale's inaugural School's Tournament was held in September and was a very successful event. Fourteen schools from England, Scotland and Wales took part in a competition which was very well organised and where the standard of rugby was very high. A second tournament is planned for September 2000. Our thanks go to Alex Kerr and his committee for organising this excellent event.

We are also very grateful to Roger Stockdale of Newcastle Computer Services who generously gav ethe club a computer, which will be used in a number of the club's activities.

Refurbishment, repair and improvement of the clubhouse and our ground facilities is an ongoing and costly exercise. We propose to upgrade the heating system in the close season and our next structural work will be to improve the lighting in the clubhouse. Temporary repairs to the car park took place in January and when finances permit, pemanent work on the parking area will be a major project.

During the season Andy Deacon rationalised the Club clothing; old stock which was difficult to move, was sold and an attractive new range of clothing was introduced.

A number of social events took place during the year with varying degrees of success. The Tynedale Ball was held in October but was poorly supported and made a loss. The Promotion Party held after the Macclesfield game was a most enjoyable event and the Dinner Dance held jointly with the Northumberland Agricultural Society on the County Show week-end was successful and will probably be held again next year. The annual player's dinner was held in May and was a great evening. It would have been easy to have been too triumphalist on the night but everyone took a quiet pride in the club's achievements and the tone of the event was just right.

The leasing of a football pitch to Corbridge United Under 12's Football team has worked well and has strengthened the club's links with the community as well as being a source of income.

At the end of my first year in office it is appropriate to offer my personal thanks to a number of unpaid volunteers who keep the club running smoothly.

I would like to thank Richard Halford for his hard work and generosity during his two years as Tynedale President. In the last year of his term of office Richard had to cope with a number of personal problems but throughout this difficult period his support was constant and it must have given him great satisfaction to see the club promoted during his presidency.

Great credit this year must go to John Shotton and his Senior Rugby Management Team and to coaches Alan Gledson, Matt Carter and Kirk Barclay. The senior rugby results this season speak volumes for their enthusiasm, commitment and competence. Our thanks also go to Craig Johnston as Fixture Secretary and Martin Hastie our Team Secretary.

The Management Committee, with Neil Foster and Andrew Cuthbertson to the fore as Secretary and Trasurer, receive my thanks for their work in a demanding year. Douglas Hamilton is standing down at the end of the season from his vital role as Chairman of House and Bar and as a member of the Management committee and Tony Coates will no longer assume an administrative role in the club. In recent years Dougie and TC have been involved in most of Tynedale's activities and the club owes them an immense debt of gratitude. Although Douglas and Tony's balance and wise counsel will be missed in some forums, they will still be involved in a number of important areas.

Jimmy Bell's capacity for hard work is amazing. Jim opens the clubhouse three or four times each week, and with John Lee he keeps Tynedale Park in immaculate condition, and yet he still finds time to run the line for all the Colts' home and away matches and to do all of their laundry.

Colts rugby at Tynedale continues to thrive under the very enthusiastic leadership of John Clark. John regards Colts' rugby as a character-building sporting activitybut also recognises that for young men starting to make their way in the worls, it has great social and educational benefits. For many years the Colts have provided the lifeblood of the senior club and once more we are indebited to John and his team for their commitment to Tynedale RFC and to the young players in the community.

Another group of unsung heroes are the Tynedale Gatemen, who collect entrance fees in all weather and usually don't manage to see all of the game. In recent years this intrpid band have been led by John Cousin and then Tom Stainthorpe but they have both stood down recently. We are very grateful for their efforts and to John Drew and the rest of his team for this low-profile but essential work.

Mike Coulson deserves a great debt of gratitude for the multifarious work he does for the club. Mike has been First XV touch-judge since the inception of the leagues and he combines this commitment with the onerous job of collecting subscriptions. Mike is another great club servant who is prepared to volunteer for any task, from collecting glasses when the bar staff are hard pressed, to getting up early on a cold winter's morning to referee a junior game after a tiring away trip and late night with the first XV.

The very serious illness in January of our Catering Manageress, Liz Millar, caused great disruption and it was gratifying to see so many members rallying round at this very difficult time. It is inviduous to pick out any individuals but our special thanks go to Martin and Yvonne Hastie who unfailingly provided high quality meals for the players on training nights and to Sue Dinning and family who catered at short notice for a number of functions.

Our paid staff have all worked effectively and professionally. Keith Millar continues to improve bar profitabilty and runs a very efficient bar. Keith has taken over many of the duties of Jef Vipond, the clubhouse manager, and although he has personally had a very difficult year, his efforts in the clubhouse have been unstinting. Keith, and all of his bar staff, deserve our gratitude for their commitment during the season.

John Lee, with Jimmy Bell, has worked very well all season and they provide a playing and spectating environment of which we can all be proud. The devastation caused by the torrential rain at the recent County Agricultural Show must have been demoralising for them but I am confident that the ground, as ever, will be in superb condition at the start of the season.

Kay Dowle, who took over as our cleaner at very short notice, deserves our grateful thanks; the standard of cleaning throughout the clubhouse is much improved and kay is always to help out in other ways.

Season 1999-2000 was memorable for Tynedale Rugby Football Club. The coming season in many ways will be more demanding and challenging but I have every confidence that we will establish ourselves in the national leagues. We have a bright future to look forward to.