Novocastrians RFC

The Royal Grammar School & Formation

The Latin term Novocastrian is the demonym for those that are born in Newcastle. Novo, comes from the Latin Novus, meaning new. Castrian, from the Latin Castrum, meaning fort or castle. The ‘New-Castle’ was built in 1080 and it was at this time that monastic chroniclers, who wrote in Latin, recorded the city name as Novocastrum, and its people as Novocastrians. The term Novocastrian was born.

This term is also used for ex-pupils of the Royal Grammar School. The RGS was founded in 1525 by Thomas Horsley within the grounds of St. Nicholas Church, Newcastle; since then the school has moved five times. The school has been based in Rye Hill, Walker and on the Westgate Road. There is still the old school entrance outside the Long Bar, Westgate Road which is famous for the 1971 film, Get Carter. However, the RGS has occupied its present buildings in Jesmond since 1906.

On the 12th September 1899 Old Novocastrians Rugby Football Club was formed by a group of former pupils of the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne. A letter was sent out reading ‘A proposed new club for Newcastle: A meeting will be held at the Grammar School, Rye Hill under the auspices of Old Novocastrians Club, for the purpose of forming a new rugby club. The attendance of Grammar school boys is specially required.’

The group was led by Reuben Hodgson, Harry Lumey and George Sanderson who all played pivotal roles in the inception of the club. The club was open to all former pupils and teachers of the school. The club played their first game against North Durham 2nd XV at Felling on 23rd September, 1899; only eleven days after the club had been formed. The next game a few weeks later on 21st October saw Old Novos run out 8-0 winners against Walker (now defunct). Old Novos didn't have a ground of their own but would use pitches in Walker. In 1900, Harry Lumey took over the job as Secretary and through his tremendous efforts brought the Club forward in playing strength and membership. In those early days, Lumey would organise friendly fixtures with now defunct club sides like Houghton Nomads and Tudhoe.

In 1906, Northumberland County Rugby was first represented by an Old Novocastrian in Percy Phillips, who played against Durham at Percy Park in a 0-0 draw! Phillips would be the first of eleven Old Novocastrians to be capped for the county before the outbreak of war in 1914. However he had to wait two years before he was joined by a fellow member of Old Novos. In 1908 Buck Stewart, already capped eight times by Northumberland, pulled on the county jersey alongside Phillips against Cumberland.

In 1909 Old Novos were facing considerable difficulties, and at that time had only 22 members and no ground. St. George’s Rugby Football Club had a very fine ground and only some 14 members. By amalgamating with Old Novocastrians and being absorbed by them, the St. George’s members were able to carry on playing and the Old Novocastrian Club had an increase in strength which just made the turning point, for at the end of the 1909-1910 season six teams were playing regularly. After a year or two the club moved again, to one of the intakes on the Town Moor, now occupied by the Northern Counties School for the Deaf.

In 1910, the RGS hosted its first of many senior Northumberland County games. Northumberland had three Old Novos representing them that day in a 17-6 victory over Cheshire. On October 15th 1912, Old Novos had four players representing the county for the first time in a game against Cheshire; a truly momentous occasion for the club.

The seasons 1911-1913 were exceptionally good and Old Novos reached the Final of the Senior Cup. Strong teams were fielded and the first team was one of the best in the district. The Secretary in those days was John Bell, and Eddie Watsonwas a tower of strength in keeping the club together.

4th August 1914, saw the outbreak of World War One, and that week found most of the Club back to school again drilling on the school field for a different sort of game. In November, 1914, 92 per cent of the Club were in the forces. In 1919 what was left of the Club turned up on the school field and started the club going. Novos discovered that their seven year lease of the intake had fallen in during the war and the Corporation were going to take legal action for arrears of rent which they stated we owed! Mr Paul Lazzari the Honorary Treasurer had to raise the wind by demanding 10 shillings from every pre-war member he could find. The debt was paid off and the club was still without a ground.

Old Novos were also struggling on the field at this time. At the end of the 1920/21 season Novos 1st XV had won just one match out of twenty five in a primitive Northumberland & Durham Senior Clubs League. Novos again would finish bottom of this league the following two seasons.

This led Old Novos to change the club constitution at the 1922 A. G. M on the 24th August. On the proposal of then Chairman Eddie Watson, it was agreed that the rule appertaining to the eligibility of membership be amended to read- that the club be open to Old Novocastrians, that is, old boys of the Royal Grammar School and their friends. The last two words were by the additions made and they make the rule identical with that which prevailed in the pre-war days when the club was so strong.

Sutherland Park

In 1919 Novos were struggling to find a place to play until Mr Talbot, Headmaster of the R.G.S, allowed the club to use the school field, and the club stayed there for slightly more than two seasons before a nomadic life for 7 years. Between 1921-1925 the club had had five grounds, with lack of facilities and at considerable expense to the players. Novos played on the Golf Course of Benton Road, Brough Park Race Course, and West Avenue, Gosforth. One season Novos played all their games away, and then Novos came upon Benton Lodge in 1925. The club played on the field, but weren’t able to purchase it. Until Col. A. W. Wittle, who had found the field tried to negotiate, but the owners would enter into nothing until a substantial guarantee was forthcoming. Three guarantors signed their names: Eddie Watson, Don Ash and Paul Lazzari.

The question of the purchase of the ground at Benton was most importantly pursued in 1926 to 1927 and a great ground purchase scheme was organised, and John Stewart took over as Treasurer. The reaction to the ground purchase scheme was not very wonderful, having in mind that a depression was settling over the country at that time. Messrs’ Stewart, Little and Dix put the scheme to Sir Arthur Munroe Sutherland (RGS pupil: 1878-83) and he authorised Dix to make an offer for the ground of £4,000 although the owners were asking £5,500. After a lot of haggling the ground was purchased for the £4,000 and Sir Arthur became the owner. Sir Arthur was a good landlord to the Club and built a fine clubhouse, the envy of many; laid tennis courts and put the ground in good condition.

Sutherland Park, originally leased from the family company B.J.Sutherland & Co, (Shipping Merchants) was then purchased by the Royal Grammar School in 1940. Munroe Sutherland offered the ground for sale both to the School and the Rugby Club. Unfortunately in spite of valiant efforts Old Novos were unable to raise the finance so with the help of a low interest loan it was sold to the RGS, who remain the current landlords. The first game to take place in front of the newly built pavilion at Sutherland Park was in April, 1928 against Ryton. The original photograph of this momentous occasion can still be seen in the clubhouse to this day.

Not only did Sutherland buy the ground for Old Novocastrians, he was, by far, the most munificent benefactor the Royal Grammar School ever had. Many generations of Old Novocastrians will remember him as an ever-present figure on Speech Days and other major occasions. The rifle range and armoury (1915), now gone; the organ, given in memory of the 138 Old Novocastrians who fell in the Great War; the swimming baths (1930); the gymnasium (now replaced); the old junior school and the staff common room; even the cost of obtaining the school’s Coat of Arms in 1930, all given by this extraordinary benefactor. He was the last private owner of Dunstanburgh Castle which he donated to the nation in 1929 and amongst many other properties; he owned Close House in Heddon and Mansion House in Jesmond.*

The Glory Years

The club finally had a fine place to play and Mondays were forever the training night at Sutherland Park. The bar would be open and it was the night that any Old Novo would come up for a drink and chat. It was also the night that the selection committee would pick all the teams for the coming week. Selection would take place on a round table in a room that is now the Ladies bathroom! A late night ‘Advice Card’ would be sent off in the post and it would arrive on a Tuesday morning, for the player to confirm attendance for Saturday’s game. It is also around this time that Old Novos began their fierce rivalry with Gosforth. Once Gosforth were established as the top team in the North East then it was the big game of the season, with big crowds and fantastic bar takes. Old Novos would play Gosforth at least twice per season with one always on New Year’s Day.

Sutherland Park was now our ground and another huge boost to Old Novos was that of W. Alexander, who had played for England vs. France in 1927. Other prominent players in the twenties and thirties for the Club were Arthur Norton, J. W. Martin, H. F Clements, J. I. Ayre, Hugo Jacobs, G. A. Clough, W. S. Paulin, E. K. Ferry, D. R. Cawood, W. L. Patterson, A. R. B Polsen, E. Paulin, A. C. Barker, G. H. Bailey, and H. Bewick. The 1930’s alone saw thirteen Old Novos represent their county.

With the coming of G. H. ‘Bill’ Bailey, Cambridge Blue, as a master to the Royal Grammar School in the mid 1930’s, the club took on a new and exciting lease of life. Bailey inspired not only the Club but the Northumberland County and gave them several fine seasons. The 1936 season taking the Northumberland side to the Counties Championship Final. With Bailey on that side were E. Paulin and A. C Barker. Old Novos too were playing better Rugby, and in 1933 reached the final of the Senior Cup against Tynedale, as they did again in 1934. Novos once more marched into the final in 1938 but lost to an aggressive Percy Park side by eight points to three. The 2nd team had perhaps more luck, winning the Challenge Cup in 1928 and 1931. The 3rd team winning the 3rd competition once and the fourth team winning the No. 4 competition four times.

E. Paulin and E. P. Wilson had the honour of playing for combined Counties sides against international touring sides, E. Paulin, probably the Club’s greatest forward played for Northumberland 28 times. September, 1939, found us at war again and just as great a percentage of the players were into the services almost immediately. The Club closed shutters and opened up again in 1945. Walter Dix called a meeting of all the old committee who were available and the club started up again in a very raggy state just fielding one side. The strength of the club slowly gathered again seeing the Club fielding four sides again by 1949.

It is fair to say that the driving force behind this upturn in fortunes after the Second World War was down to both Eddie Watson and Walter Dix. Watson was President from 1925 to 1948, whilst Dix was Secretary from 1926-1950. Some stints both and it was obviously difficult to change the President such that in 1948 the position of Patron was established to which Eddie Watson was promoted, and the bye law brought in that no President could serve more than two consecutive years. In 1949 the club celebrated their 50th Anniversary at the Royal Station Hotel in Newcastle.

One of the most prominent players of the post-war era was P. B. Reeve. Brian had the honour of playing for the Army, Combined Services, Cambridge University and the Barbarians. He donated his jerseys to the club and still feature in the original bar of the club house. Brian was also very close to being capped for his country after trials for England. Unfortunately, he had to retire from playing at an early age, otherwise what a centre combination the club would have had when his contemporary and fellow Barbarian John Elders joined in 1959. Brian however was still a tower of strength to Novos until his death, as he personally ran the bar on a voluntary basis for many years rarely missing a Monday, Thursday or Saturday.

A Club in Transition

The 1950’s saw the club in good heart and a few Old Novos were making the grade within the Northumberland Senior County set up; Eric Reeve, Brian Reeve, G. M Thompson and Peter Taylor to name but a few. Taylor would have been captain in 1956-57 had it not been considered that his studies would stop him training regularly and giving him the necessary admin time. This turned out to be the correct decision as he became a top lawyer and judge. He is most famous for his inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster, known as the Taylor report and being appointed as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales in 1992.

John Elders joined in 1959 and gave the club a huge lift, especially as a fellow member of RGS staff Bernard Bellwood, Yorkshire County scrum half, also arrived. Unfortunately the momentum did not last for long and the 1960’s overall were most disappointing. In 1963 the clubhouse was added to for the first time since the original build in 1927. An extension was built on top of the single storied changing rooms to the west of building. A County Presidents XV played an Elders led Novocastrians XV to mark the occasion.

Ups and downs had been many and in 1969 the club was at low ebb and it was decided to open the club to none “Old Boys of the R.G.S”. At the 1969 A.G.M the club dropped the “Old” from its title and became known as Novocastrians. This open membership did not bring about the automatic improvement some hoped for. These hopefuls should have known better- one of the initial results of their changed status was to alienate some Old Novocastrian rugby players. However, it didn’t take long for things to settle, and playing numbers gradually began to increase.

The opening of the club was probably too late and there was very little change in fortunes with playing records continuing to deteriorate up to a particularly disastrous season in 1975-76, when it was only the heroic efforts of captain David Taylor which kept the team going.

It was at this juncture that John Elders, only two years earlier the England Head Coach that led his country to the first ever test match win in South Africa, offered to take over the coaching so long as his suggestions for other positions were put in place. Hence in the summer of 1976 what became known as “the gang of four” came together to organise the playing side with Elders as coach, Colin Peacock captain, Jim Lewin chairman of selectors and Steve Lawson coordinating all the functions as membership and subscription secretary. They’re contribution shouldn’t go unnoticed - as it helped lead a much needed revival at Sutherland Park. John Elders’ role in the revival was crucial to the club’s success in the 1950’s and 60’s as a player, and again in the 1970’s as head coach. As a school master, his efforts whilst at the R.G.S were recognised. Elders was inducted into the Old Novocastrians Association’s ‘History of the R.G.S in Ten People’ in 2013.

The building blocks were in place and by attracting some experienced players back, and ensuring that a good number from the rugby playing schools in the area joined Novos, there was a gradual improvement particularly once the younger players became established. The club was now beginning to see a new lease of life and was succeeding on all fronts. The 1980’s was a very successful decade for the club and in 1986 Jim Pollock (who had just re-joined the club after gaining 8 caps for Scotland while at Gosforth), Mark Christopher, Andy Marwick and Graham Ward all played in the same Northumberland County side.

A Golden Era

The 1987-88 season saw a revolution in Community Rugby with the introduction of Leagues. Novos were in a strong position and were allocated above the Durham & Northumberland leagues into North 2 East. In the first season an unbeaten record saw promotion to North 1 East where they played with mixed fortunes for six years. Whilst in North 1 East, Novos would compete with sides like Rotherham, Blaydon and Westoe. During this period seven sides were fielded most Saturdays, with four sides playing at home; with a side playing at the nearby Paddy Freeman’s field. A great camaraderie set over the club with vast playing numbers and a busy bar. In 1989 the club became a Limited Company and has been self-financing ever since.

Novos' annual New Year’s Day game against Gosforth, dating from the 1920’s, was still being played. This was the match everybody looked forward to each season. It normally produced a spirited performance from Novos (even if it was mainly stale beer which dominated the scrum) but invariably ended in defeat. This was always compensated for by playing in front of a large crowd and a hangover top up in the bar afterwards with many old friends. However, on 1st January 1988 the script was different and Novos came out on top with a 10-9 score-line, and then repeated the result the following year at Gosforth, this time by 10-6. Unfortunately with the creation of Newcastle Gosforth (now Newcastle Falcons) the gulf became too wide and the fixture was dropped in the mid 1990’s, but at least we had two victories near the end. In the same year, of 1989, Novos also recorded their highest ever finish in the league system – a 5th place finish in North 1 East.

In 1992 Novocastrians reached their fifth Northumberland Senior Cup Final. It was our first appearance in the final for 54 years but once again had to settle for the runner up spot after a 15-3 defeat to Tynedale. Highlights of this game and the rest of the 1991-92 season were recorded on camera, courtesy of a Panasonic sponsorship for the club. Sutherland Park would wait in anticipation to watch the day’s game and listen to the legendary commentary partnership of Mike Shoesmith and Stevie Nicholson.

1992 saw the introduction of Ladies Rugby to the Club. A meeting between Annie Lees and Club captain, Phil Getty resulted in Lees attending a Club committee executive. At the meeting plans were discussed for the Ladies side to leave Newcastle Gosforth and to create a set up at Novocastrians. At the end of the 1991/92 season, the decision was made to leave Kingston Park and join Sutherland Park, as conditions had deteriorated too far. Though there were several die hard dissenters at the time the venture has proved to be a successful one both on and off the pitch with the section receiving national prominence in early years and the award of several International caps. In 1994 the Ladies won the National Division Three title with a perfect season. They won all thirteen matches in the league and knockout stages and conceded a total of zero points against. This remarkable achievement could be the only of its kind in world rugby! The following season the Ladies were promoted again, this time in second place. This placed them in the Ladies Premiership, a feat that hasn’t been repeated.

The need for more space in the clubhouse to accommodate all the teams playing on a Saturday resulted in the cocktail bar room being extended again in 1994. Years of hard work to raise funds had finally paid off, and the clubhouse had increased in size; with the added bonus of a second balcony. This allowed unrivalled viewing of the first team pitch across the county and beyond.

In 1994 Novos were relegated from North 1 East after a 3-3 draw against Morpeth on the final day of the season. Both sides were playing for safety and both thought they had done enough to stay in the division. However, Redcar won away to an under strength, fourth placed Blaydon, much to the amazement of both sides who had left the field. This result saw Novos relegated by a solitary point.

Fortiter Defendit Triumphans**

Novocastrians had gone through considerable highs throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s; the Club became the envy of many. All good things come to an end however, and after Novos’ tragic relegation from North 1 East in 1994, the club again were relegated. The club fell out of the Northern Leagues without a whimper after succumbing to demotion for a successive season, this time from North 2 East, in 1995. The downward spiral from the halcyon days mainly came about from club members leaving Sutherland Park for a variety of reasons. Those that left became known as the lost generation. Top players that once littered the first XV for many a year moved on and with a shortage of young players coming to the club at that time they could not be adequately replaced.

Relegation from North 2 East placed Novocastrians into the Durham & Northumberland leagues for the first time, and the club struggled with life in a new and different set up. Furthermore, the club were now only putting out three sides a week- a hugely reduced playing membership. A mid table finish in our first Durham & Northumberland Division One campaign was followed by another relegation in 1997. A determined recruitment effort and the appointment of the club's first paid Coach stopped the rot and the club achieved immediate promotion from Durham & Northumberland Two in 1998; the improvement, sadly, did not last.

Novos stayed in Durham & Northumberland Division One for two seasons, until two consecutive relegations left the club in dire straits. 2001 was the year Novocastrians were relegated into Durham & Northumberland Division Three; for the first and only time in the club's history. Novocastrians had plummeted down four divisions in just seven years, and the club was on the brink of folding. The club would sometimes struggle to get two senior sides out. Enough was enough. An enthusiastic and committed group of players including some recently retired players took over the running of the playing side within the Club, with the immediate result that Novos were promoted as Champions. Andy Leonard, as club captain helped lead a renaissance at Novos, as the 1st XV also won Rugby World Team of the Month in November 2001, and the Journal Trophy Merit Table for the first and only time in the club's history, in April 2002. Novocastrians missed a second successive promotion by the narrowest of margins the following season.

Under the stewardship of Andy Leonard and Graeme Cooper, the club were beginning to function on the field again. We remained in Durham & Northumberland Two in relative comfort and occasionally threatening promotion until in 2009, when yet another National reorganisation took place, and after a play-off, saw Novocastrians promoted to Durham & Northumberland Division One. This is a position Novos maintained until 2012, and were relegated into Durham & Northumberland Division Two. This led to the appointment of ex-Gateshead coach Magnus Leask the same summer. Under Leask, Novos bounced back into Durham & Northumberland Division One at the first time of asking, after finishing in 2nd place. In 2016, Novos 1st XV finally won their first silverware in a Northumberland cup competition after beating Ponteland in the Northumberland Senior Plate Final; however the Northumberland Senior Cup continues to elude the club.

In 2011 Novos Ladies won promotion from RFUW Championship North 2, after winning all of their league games. This fantastic achievement placed them into the RFUW Championship, only one league below the Premiership, where they have since remained.

Novos Youth Section is now, after many years beginning to reap its rewards as we have seen a constant stream of junior players into the senior set up. The original work of Geoff Owen and John Harrison helped keep the junior section afloat with their exceptional effort. Tom Jackson, Kim Stewart, Barrie Russell, Johnny Dias and the late John Cardwell then furthered the work before them. The most recent work undertaken in organising the Junior set up has mainly been down to the entire Chater family. Between them all they have helped push the club on further from the strong foundations laid before them. Their effort has been so instrumental to the club and helps see Novocastrians in great heart. The years’ worth of hard work from all the volunteers have helped to set up what is now a thriving Mini, Midi and Youth organisation; running teams from Under 5 all the way up to Under 18. Without the help of our determined youth volunteers, Novocastrians would be a very different club.

In 2006 Novocastrians became host to the Newcastle Ravens, the North East’s only gay rugby side. The Ravens used Sutherland Park as their home ground up until 2014 before moving onto pastures new.

As we continue on through the 21st Century we see the club in good heart with a steady influx of good young players replacing the stalwarts who so determinedly and successfully restored its playing reputation. Novocastrians now boasts well over 400 playing members from Under 5s through to first XV and Ladies XV's - A playing membership that will hopefully see us return to the good old days of seven senior teams!