STOCKTON IN THE CUP

This Saturday sees the restoration of an old rivalry. Stockton RFC is as old as SRFC and our paths have crossed on many occasions. One of the earliest surviving newspaper records dates back to 1889 and the 2nd round of the county cup. It was described as a rough encounter with two of the Stockton men having to retire through injury and Sunderland turning round early scores to win comfortably as a result. In the Sunderland team that day were the Crow brothers - ( it has often been noted that the Crow brothers were both 'on the wing'). One of the brothers played for the Barbarians. Also in the Sunderland side was William Bell - a tough tackling back who once won a man of the match award for an outstanding performance against the New Zealand Maoris. After retirement he became one of Sunderland's most remembered sports administrators - at first with Durham County and the national RFU and later with Sunderland AFC. Stockton's glory days seem to have been in the late twentieth century before the onset of professionalism. Many mature folk will remember the old ground in Norton - next to the football and cricket grounds. Now the ground is in the Grangefield area of Stockton. One of the products of Stockton youth and mini sides is Geoff Parling - England and Lions, former Australia coach and current coach at Leicester. Geoff played with and against a number of former players still associated with Sunderland RFC and he has kept up his links with Stockton. Two other well known former players are film directors Tony and Ridley Scott both of whom played for Stockton sides in the mid to late 20th century.

Barbarian side - Tom Crow (Sunderland in white front row) next to Tom Parker ( Sunderland and Richmond) with moustache.