Last match of the season? Here comes Morpeth

The result of today's match may decide whether the season ends here or continues into a maze of play off games. Morpeth is a highly respected and successful club so it comes as something of a surprise to discover that it is a relatively young club. It was founded just after the Second World War seemingly as an old boys club for the local grammar school. In those days clubs were designated as junior and senior and it wasn't until 1954 that Morpeth gained senior status. It has been known as Morpeth RFC since 1970 and is famed for a remarkable run in the John Player Cup in the 1974/5 season when the 1st XV came within one match of the final at Twickenham. The club has won the Northumberland Senior Cup on a number of occasions this century and just before covid enjoyed promotion to level 5 - the highest level at which it has played. One of the products of the club is England fly half Toby Flood who appeared for the 1st XV while still at school in Tynemouth. Toby played with and against Sunderland's Gregson boys (John and Paul) when they were at Newcastle RGS. According to the British Newspaper archive, Sunderland seems to have had the upper hand in meetings during the early and mid 70s with the boot of Chris Storey doing most of the damage. An interesting headline from October 1985 runs 'Ashbrooke looks to skipper Tommy for inspiration' as the late lamented Tommy Harrison returned from injury. There were also references to a young Keith Reay and coach Ian Stafford. The seconds pack led by the 'incomparable Charlie Dixon' looked strong while the thirds looked forwards to the return of a youthful and misspelt Graeme Edmondson!

Players who must have played against Morpeth on a number of occasions