Shared history celebrated in 140th anniversary dinner

Monday 09 January 2017 Written by: Adam


Tickets are available now for an event which will showcase two of the biggest names in North East rugby.

The club now known as Newcastle Falcons was originally founded as Gosforth FC in 1877 by a group of Durham School old boys, playing under that name in their iconic green and white hoops for well over a century.

Winning two national cup finals at Twickenham and fielding numerous international players, rugby’s march into the professional era saw the newly-named Falcons splitting from their amateur arm in 1996.

The intervening 20 years have seen the Falcons going on to establish themselves as a Premiership force while the incredible effort of Gosforth’s founder members has ensured the original name lives on, with Gosforth RFC now an established presence in Durham and Northumberland One at their new Broadway West base.

Newcastle Falcons’ managing director Mick Hogan said: “The 140th anniversary is a major milestone for both clubs, given our shared history, and it is entirely fitting that an occasion of this significance is not allowed to pass without due recognition.”

Malcolm Bell said: “As president of Gosforth RFC I know that fellow members and players, present and past, are looking forward to what I believe will be a marvellous evening.

“It will be a chance to catch up with ex-playing colleagues from way back when, an opportunity to meet (again) some of the best players to represent the clubs in both the amateur and professional eras, and an excuse to re-live the highlights, or not, of our own playing careers, all in a few short hours.

“There is nothing like a rugby dinner to tackle nostalgia full on.”

The 140th anniversary dinner will be held on Saturday April 22 at Kingston Park Stadium. As well as a celebration of 140 years of Gosforth and Falcons rugby, the evening will include a three-course meal, raffle and auction.

Tickets are priced £40 + vat per person. For more information or to make your booking, please call 0191 214 2835 or email **amy.kirsopp@newcastle-falcons.co.uk** .