Northern Football Club
Encyclopedia
Northern Football Club are a rugby union
club that was founded in 1875, and are based in Gosforth
, Newcastle upon Tyne
. Their strip is coloured navy Blue, Red and White. Northern Football Club was originally called Elswick Football Club but was renamed in its second season changing the team's colours to red white and blue, which have remained the team strip throughout its history.
Northern originally played at Mill Inn, Westgate but were forced to alternate playing grounds and remained without a 'home ground' for over 60 years. In 1937, McCracken Park
was officially, named after the then Club President Angus McCracken. In 1956, squash courts were added to the club, with further courts added in 1974. On 18 December 1994, the present clubhouse was opened at a cost of £1 million.
. The club has operated at McCracken Park since the ground was purchased in 1937. In its early history the club would regularly put out six teams plus a Youth and a vetarns side.
Northern Football Club was very successful during its early history, produing several international players. The first player to be capped directly from the club was England half back Mason Scott
in 1890
. In its 125-year history Northern has also supplied Presidents of the Rugby Football Union
and the Scottish Rugby Union
.
During the late 19th century, William Cail, the Northern FC President, became the president of the RFU (1892-1894) during the time of the split between the RFU and the Northern Union.
The last player capped at international level directly from Northern was Feidlim McLoughlin, who was selected to play for Ireland
in 1977. Though many players have played for Northern who have later become international players and, including Jonathan Webb
, Brian Keen, David Rees
and Colin White
for England, Scott Hastings and Jim Pollock
for Scotland and Hennie le Roux for South Africa. A past player of note is John Elders, who also coached the Senior XV also coached England in the 1970s. Elders was the first coach to take an England side to South Africa
and win a test match.
Northern's local rivals are Gosforth RFC. In season 1998/99 Northern were narrowly beaten by Doncaster R.F.C.
for promotion to the National Leagues.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club that was founded in 1875, and are based in Gosforth
Gosforth
Gosforth is an area of Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom, to the north of the city centre. Gosforth constituted an urban district from 1895 to 1974, when it became part of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne. It has a population of 23,620...
, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. Their strip is coloured navy Blue, Red and White. Northern Football Club was originally called Elswick Football Club but was renamed in its second season changing the team's colours to red white and blue, which have remained the team strip throughout its history.
Northern originally played at Mill Inn, Westgate but were forced to alternate playing grounds and remained without a 'home ground' for over 60 years. In 1937, McCracken Park
McCracken Park
McCracken Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is currently used mostly for rugby union matches and is the home stadium of Northern Football Club.- The ground :...
was officially, named after the then Club President Angus McCracken. In 1956, squash courts were added to the club, with further courts added in 1974. On 18 December 1994, the present clubhouse was opened at a cost of £1 million.
History
Northern Football Club was founded in 1875 and is the oldest Rugby Football Club in Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. The club has operated at McCracken Park since the ground was purchased in 1937. In its early history the club would regularly put out six teams plus a Youth and a vetarns side.
Northern Football Club was very successful during its early history, produing several international players. The first player to be capped directly from the club was England half back Mason Scott
Mason Scott
Mason Thompson Scott was an English international rugby union half back who played club rugby for Cambridge University and Northern...
in 1890
1890 Home Nations Championship
The 1890 Home Nations Championship was the eighth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 1 February and 15 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
. In its 125-year history Northern has also supplied Presidents of the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
and the Scottish Rugby Union
Scottish Rugby Union
The Scottish Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Scotland. It is the second oldest Rugby Union, having been founded in 1873, as the Scottish Football Union.-History:...
.
During the late 19th century, William Cail, the Northern FC President, became the president of the RFU (1892-1894) during the time of the split between the RFU and the Northern Union.
The last player capped at international level directly from Northern was Feidlim McLoughlin, who was selected to play for Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
in 1977. Though many players have played for Northern who have later become international players and, including Jonathan Webb
Jonathan Webb
Jonathan Mark Webb is a former English rugby union footballer who represented England in 33 Test matches. He played for two clubs, first Bristol and then Bath where he played mainly at fullback. His career representing England lasted between 1987 and 1993, and he scored a total of 296 points for...
, Brian Keen, David Rees
David Rees
David Rees may refer to:* David Rees , British children's author* David Rees , American cartoonist* David Rees , British pure mathematician...
and Colin White
Colin White
Colin White may refer to:*Colin White , ice hockey player*Colin White , British naval historian, particularly of Horatio Nelson...
for England, Scott Hastings and Jim Pollock
Jim Pollock
Jim Pollock is a retired politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1981 to 1990.-Background:...
for Scotland and Hennie le Roux for South Africa. A past player of note is John Elders, who also coached the Senior XV also coached England in the 1970s. Elders was the first coach to take an England side to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and win a test match.
Northern's local rivals are Gosforth RFC. In season 1998/99 Northern were narrowly beaten by Doncaster R.F.C.
Doncaster R.F.C.
Doncaster Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing the town of Doncaster. The first XV are known as the Doncaster Knights, and play in the RFU Championship...
for promotion to the National Leagues.