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Our Fixtures - Nearly 150 years ago!
SRFC’S 1877 RIVALS  Just recently while carrying out some research in the Sunderland Echo I came across the fixtures list for SRFC for the 1877 – 8 season and it makes for interesting reading. During the season we faced seven opponents home and away. Three of the seven are still in existence – Darlington, Westoe and Durham University. Darlington is one of our oldest rivals and the first ‘club’ club founded in Durham County (though not continuous due to a dabble in associati
keith.gregson
Nov 202 min read
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Inspiration for WW1 Song
James Harry Edwards is standing back left with arms folded - mistakenly noted as John in handwritten club records There are two versions of the song online Come on the Durhams or Jamie's Song Come on, the Durhams Below are the two case studies that inspired the song. I did over 250 case studies 2014-18 - Get in touch if you want a free online copy of the book. I have hi-lited the reference that led to the song keith.gregson@talk21.com SCFC/FWW/54 EDWARDS JOHN H/K.I.A –WO 339/
keith.gregson
Nov 108 min read
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FOR NOVEMBER 11th
Below is a list of the rugby lads who died in or because of war – in brackets is an identifiable year in which they played for the club – the date thus 05/05/1917 is the date of death.  1914-18 War James Adamson jnr. (1913) – RFA/RHA – 05/05/1917 fly half Robert W Adamson (1907) – 7th DLI – 25/05/1917 centre Charles W T Barker (1914) – 15th DLI – 24/03/1918–fly half Harold T F Barker (1911) – RGA/RFA – 29/03/1918   scrum half George H Carter (1906) – RFA - 18/11/1915 –winger
keith.gregson
Oct 302 min read
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THE SLEUTHING GOES ON!
During the centenary of the First World War I produced an online book about the Ashbrooke members - past and present - who took part in the conflict. There were some 250 case studies with over 60 losing their lives as a result of the war. ( Anybody interested in an online copy can still get in touch with me for one). One of the interesting case studies involved a Cecil Boyns Ellis and runs as follows; SCFC/FWW/55 ELLIS CECIL B – SAPPER ROYAL ENGINEERS This is a difficult case
keith.gregson
Oct 222 min read
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More on Digitization and Heritage
In April we set off on our course to digitize the club's archives and to let the rest of Sunderland know what we ( Marcus and self) have...
keith.gregson
Sep 251 min read
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SRFC PART OF NEWCASTLE RED BULL'S HISTORY
Red Bull and 'Newcastle Falcons' have just announced the takeover and re-naming of the club and, in so doing, has also referenced the...
keith.gregson
Aug 122 min read
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More on SRFC's 1899 British Lion
According to the list Alan Ayre Smith is in the middle of the second row up with the plain low necked top Alan Ayre Smith's Sunderland...
keith.gregson
Jun 262 min read
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Recognised For Our Contribution to the British Lions
Sunderland RFC's early Lions Founded in 1873, Sunderland (Rugby) Football Club has long been recognised by the Rugby Football Union as...
keith.gregson
Jun 164 min read
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Some Ashbrooke folk to remember on V E Day
This week, of all weeks [containing V E Day 80], has led me to a couple of our members who gave their lives in World War II. Researcher...
keith.gregson
May 62 min read
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Our Special Lion - Howard Marshall -no 42
As noted elsewhere there is now a great deal of interest in Howard Marshall as the club has been given a plaque in his memory by the...
keith.gregson
May 11 min read
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Digitizing Update
Welcome to our new co-archivist - County Rugby under 20 and Newcastle University history student Marcus Harris. Thanks to a grant from...
keith.gregson
Apr 51 min read
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If the cap fits!
Many of you are aware that we have access to 'the oldest complete set of club kit' known to the World Rugby Museum. Phil McGowan, curator...
keith.gregson
Mar 222 min read
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Honouring Hughsie!
Alan Hughes is known to many at the club - as supporter, former player and official but how many are aware of his current role as time...
keith.gregson
Mar 131 min read
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Our England Star
We have jut been sent a copy of this lovely picture of one of our England internationals. Poole played for us both before and after his...
keith.gregson
Mar 101 min read
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An Afterthought
Here's a little poser for readers! Besides recalling the efforts of the late and much missed Harry Wilson -answer these questions - how...
keith.gregson
Mar 31 min read
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Onwards and Upwards
I am pleased to announce that I am back on track with the Club Heritage site thanks to the technological knowhow of Mr Tony Hodgson. Many...
keith.gregson
Mar 31 min read
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Remembering Robin
A number of club members attended Robin's funeral on 19 December. Robin was a great club man and his obituary has been placed on a number...
Keith Gregson
Dec 21, 20241 min read
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Interesting Rugby Pics
While sorting out my online photo archive recently I came across correspondence I had a little while back with local man Philip Darling....
Keith Gregson
Nov 12, 20241 min read
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SRFC and the World Rugby Museum
I have mentioned in a number of blogs the fact that we are lucky to have one of the most complete club archives in the country. For a...
Keith Gregson
Oct 29, 20241 min read
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1873 Club and Our Heritage
SRFC is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the north and, thanks to the efforts of administrators across the years, has an archive which...
Keith Gregson
Oct 22, 20241 min read
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