Northern Football Club
Annual Report 2020 - 2021
President's Message
Well here we are at the end of the season that never happened! We did originally hope for some rugby
which was supposed to start in January, but thanks to the second lockdown, that never materialised.
Training restarted at the end of lockdown and has had some really excellent attendances. On one occasion I counted 61 players!
We have had two competitive games, all be it without scrums and mauls, versus Blaydon on the 15th May and a touring team from
Didsbury TOC H on 24 th July. Both games were very competitive and we were beating a strong Blaydon side at half time. The game against Didsbury was very similar and will stand us in good stead for next
season. Next season the first XV will still have the services of Dave Guthrie and Jim Pollock, our coaches, captain Chalky White, and the excellent team management of Paul Scott. The Wanderers will once again will be run by Ryan Moore
and Dan Coates They won the CANDY 2 league in 2019 and are promoted to CANDY 1. This shouldstrengthen them, as the competition is much tougher, which should hopefully have a knock-on effect to the first team!
For me the most important thing about next season is the continuation of the third team! In my view the more teams you have in
the club the stronger the first team becomes, due to competition for places. They will be run by Tom
Sealby and Jossie Willoughby.
As ever, mini and junior rugby continues to thrive and it is hoped that future senior players will emerge from these Northern
teams. It is also pleasing to note that girls’ rugby is prospering after being launched on a Friday evening.
On the Squash front, this part of the club continues to thrive. I am sure that they are now well on the way to getting back to
normal playing routines after the second shutdown due to the pandemic.
On the social and commercial side, Ron Borley, Chair of House, Gi (David Giles) our Club Manager, ably assisted by
his staff, have again delivered for the club. All the organisation and planning during lockdown seem to have come to fruition
after we opened again on July 19th and the social side of the club once again seems to be going from strength to strength! I would
also like to thank all the unsung heroes who do the work behind the scenes without whom the club would struggle to function.
I wish I could have had more to do this season in my role as president, but it was not to be. Our next president is going to be
Nick Arnold and I wish him every success in the role.
Richard Kain,
Club President
Finance and House
As all members can appreciate Northern entered the last financial year in a period of both concern over what the Covid-19 pandemic would bring us and a one of uncertainty over our overall financial and business resilience. Like all sports clubs Northern was not aware when we could reopen to members and allow people to participate in both Rugby and Squash. In addition to the bleak times we faced linked to health risks to members we also had major decisions to make relating to the facility and how we would be able to protect the asset for when normal times returned.
The Executive Committee and the Club management have worked extremely hard to ensure that all relevant measures required to ensure the site was safe were undertaken. Initially the Club was put into lockdown and access was limited to David and Michael Giles entering the Club to make sure that essential systems such as heating, electrics and alarm systems were functioning. Also, a chance to ensure that the security of the buildings had not been compromised. Most of the Club’s staff were placed in furlough apart from those linked to essential maintenance and building checks.
Once we had the go ahead to reopen David Giles worked tirelessly to ensure that risk assessments were undertaken to keep people safe. Systems were put in place to serve people outside using “apps” for drinks orders and ensuring that access to toilets and other facilities within the club were available. This was done alongside Ron Borley working with the squash section to ensure that within Government guidelines we were able to offer a partial squash offer. At the point of the second lockdown we were again placed into a period of great uncertainty.
We did apply for and secure a number of grants in order to support us through the closure periods. In addition to the Government furlough scheme, we have also successfully applied for business continuity and restart grants from Her Majesty’s Customs and Revenue (HMRC), the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Sport England and the Northumberland Rugby Union. We were successful in all of our grant applications and were in receipt of nearly £118,000 of support. Some of the grants were unconditional and others had specific criteria applied. We, as a Club, at this point should recognise the efforts made by Michael Wright who prepares our internal management accounts and was pivotal in applying for and administering all of the grants.
Whilst in lockdown we also used the time to both improve our facilities and prepare for a number of phased approaches to reopening. We have spent money improving our kitchen facilities, purchased more outdoor furniture, worked to create discreet spaces using partitions both internally and externally, had the McCracken Suite redecorated and in addition the McCracken Suite will have a new carpet soon which will be followed through reception and into the Squash area.
In terms of preparing for participation in our sports, work has been undertaken to make safe and improve the heaters in all of the squash courts, normal pitch maintenance has been undertaken on the rugby pitches and a new tractor has been purchased. All of the funds spent have come from income gained via the grants we applied for.
The impact of reopening and the gradual return to normal trading has been well managed. We have gained new customers who relish the physical environment of Northern FC and also the offer we make in terms of hospitality trading. Sunday Lunches and a broader food offer have been especially popular, and trade has been brisk. Extra staffing has been required, initially because of restrictions on how we operated through coming out of lockdown, and now we are on a strong pathway to recover our old customers as well as attracting new.
Our trading activities have flipped in the last financial year due to Covid-19, whereas normally the hospitality offer from Northern FC pays for the participating elements of the Club, this year our main income source has come through the Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) as this is the lead organisation that was entitled to grant funding.
In summary we have managed to not only survive the effects of the pandemic but have in many ways come out of the other end of Covid-19 stronger and more resilient with an improved offer for both participating members and general customers. The Executive Committee are both relieved and pleased to see our club operating at full capacity once more and would stress our need to thank both volunteers and staff for their hard work and effort during the most uncertain of times.
Ian Ramshaw,
Honorary Treasurer
Rugby report
The rugby season, like many areas of society, was badly hit by the lock-downs and subsequent restrictions. However when it was allowed good numbers of players attended training and there was even an opportunity to play a game under Covid restrictions against Blaydon which saw an honourable draw. The Rugby side of the club has decided to take a forward looking point of view and not think too much about what was lost.
As a result of this new players have been recruited, the pitches have been improved, and the standard of training has been very high with a large number of players attending. At the social level the Panthers came 3rd in the Vets 7s and there seems to be a number of players wanting to return and play social rugby. I hope that this may include some of those reading this.
The priorities for the rugby element of Northern this year are to continue to grow and develop our women's teams/section, to develop the colts and ensure that as many people as possible are playing on a Saturday. With a reorganisation of the league system coming in 2022-23 it is imperative that the first team is placed as high as possible so that it plays its rugby in the league that offers the best quality of opportunity.
All of us involved in Rugby are hoping that the upcoming season is a good one and we hope that you will be able to join us in it either as a player, spectator or volunteer. Many of you may be wondering how you can give something back to the club that you used to play for but are aware that time is limited. Do not worry the more volunteers that we have the more they can do something to help out and it is not a massive time commitment. If you are one of those people who can offer some help but on a limited time please let me know. I am sure there is something that you can do to help.
I looking forward to the upcoming season with great hope, excitement and pleasure.
John Barnes,
Chair of Rugby
SQUASH
Members of a certain age may recall a television programme entitled ‘That was the week that was’
I would like to start this squash report with the title ‘That was the year that was’
With the assistance of our communications guru Roger Tames the Squash Committee has hopefully kept all members up to date with all developments as they relate to Northern Squash. All ‘Volleys’’ are available in detail on the Wazygoose site however I have chosen to start with some headline titles over the past year which summarise what Squash members have patiently endured.
9/4/20 - NORTHERN SQUASH: COVID PROTOCOLS DON’T JUST SHAMBLE UP AS NORMAL
6/520 - WHAT A RALLY! SUPPORT PILES IN BY THE TON.
22/6/20 - TIME TO OPEN THE DOOR A LITTLE WIDER
27/1/21 - SUBS SLASHED FOR LOYAL MEMBERS
1/3/21 - WAITING GAME FOR APRIL’S RETURN TARGET
9/4/21 - FAMILIES, JUNIORS AND SOLOS LEAD THE WAY BACK
18/7/21 - SQUASH RESTRICTIONS END WITH A ‘BUT’
As I write squash players are back to full engagement with their chosen sport. Additionally to accentuate the positive on what has been a testing time for everyone let me just detail what has been accomplished in our objective of becoming the premier squash club in the region.
- All necessary Covid requirements have been implemented and relevant facilities updated.
- The court heating systems have been updated ensuring a constant playing environment.
- The access corridors have benefited from an improvement in the decor
- The junior squash development section has continued to grow.
- Actual membership has increased during the last twelve months.
- As we move forward internal leagues have commenced, team squash is about to commence and our own internal club championships are scheduled to take place in November. The only way is up!! (where have I heard that before)
A further positive was our ability to continue for intermittent periods of the year with the junior section. What follows’ is Junior Squash Chairman Tim Barker’s observations of the year –
At this time of year it is usual for our hugely successful junior section to look back on a season which will have included multiple successes with county champions and other success at various junior events around the region and sometimes across the country. As we all know however, there have been no competitions to give our juniors the chance to shine because of the global pandemic.
Instead therefore we largely look forward. Junior squash is back with a bang with a tournament being held at our club this month and, fingers crossed, the return of the junior county championships in September. Other squash competitions are back and we will get the chance to see who will follow in the footsteps of our past junior champions on Richard Vitty's treadmill of junior talent.
It’s great to see the juniors back on Saturdays and we can look forward to the juniors coming through the ranks in the box leagues. Who will be the next (sad?) adult to say they beat the up and coming Michael Mattimores or Josie Barkers as they progressed up the leagues. Juniors are encouraged to integrate themselves in the club further by joining the internal leagues, representing the club in the junior teams or, as they progress, playing in the men’s or ladies teams in the Northumbrian leagues.
Whilst there aren't the usual throng of performances to reminisce over, two young lads do deserve a special mention. John and Matthew Thompson have both been junior county champions. We lose them to University in September (fingers crossed re A level results). A big thanks to them for the time they have put into coaching the younger juniors (and the odd older member!) and the support they have provided to the club over the last 12 months and more. Well done lads.
Squash is back - doesn't it feel great!!
While the Squash section is an integral part of Northern Football Club the bigger picture was reflected in the uncertainty during 2020 of how do we as a club survive? Squash members were asked to put faith in the facility by paying annual subscriptions without a guarantee that the participation of the game was possible. Members did not hesitate and £25,000 entered the accounts at a critical time. This generosity will be reciprocated as Northern comes out of the pandemic in a positive financial state with the agreed membership fees for 2021/22.
On a personal note I would like to thank all members of the squash committee, all of whom have had to deal with their own personal family responses to Covid but have continually been part of the process that ensured Northern Squash came through the pandemic in a positive fashion.
It’s fair to say they are now ‘Zoom’ experts and are conversant with the terminology, ‘you’re on mute’
To conclude on behalf of said Committee members, can I thank all squash members for their continued confidence and support for Northern Football Club and in particular Northern Squash.
Allan Curry,
Chair of Squash
CLUBHOUSE & FACILITIES
The continued commitment to improving and updating the clubhouse continued this year with a fresh paint job in the rugby changing facilities. Social spaces were also enhanced with decoration of the McCracken Suite and the imminent new carpet. The McCracken Suite now benefits from furniture to match those in the Terrace Bar and two new televisions.
The kitchen facilities have been upgraded to allow for a food offering to be introduced serving meals from Wednesday to Saturday between 5pm and 8pm and Sunday lunches from 12pm to 5pm. The new menus have been popular with those who have attended and offer hearty meals to members and patrons. The food offering will be also available all day on senior match days to ensure spectators can make the most of a full day at the club.
The period of lockdown resulted in the club shutting its doors leaving hospitality areas dormant and eerily quiet. Since re-opening on in April the busy atmosphere has returned will many enjoying the outside spaces at first, followed by the return to full use of the clubhouse in July. Investment in outdoor furniture and heaters made the club a very popular venue drawing large numbers throughout the week. New craft beers lines were installed in the McCracken Suite to match those in the Terrace Bar allowing the drinks offering to be consistent throughout the club, including all 16 draught products. The Terrace Bar daytime opening has been maintained to offer hospitality from 11am to 11pm every day bar Christmas day when we opening is for festivities is 11am to 3pm.
In August 2021 new carpets are to be laid in the main corridor on the ground floor and will extend to the squash changing room corridor. The carpet will make the squash changing facilities feel included in the main club areas giving members an improved experience at the club.
I wish to thank the committee for all their support for me and the staff through the last year. The pandemic created a lot of questions for the sport and leisure industry and those involved at a senior level at the club have done everything possible to help and maintain a welcoming and inviting club for members, employees and the public. Finally, I would also like to thank the staff at the club. From the influx of new faces who made table service a success to the more familiar faces who returned to the club following the lock downs, all have worked hard to make sure we remain an important hub for the community.
David Giles, Manager
Northern FC thanks the following
sponsors who have supported
the club:
Alan Dalton Optometrist, Whitley
Bay and Tynemouth
A-Plant, Plant Tool & Specialist
Equipment hire
Blackshaws Mitsubishi of Morpeth
Bond Dickinson
Bradley Hall Property advice
Brian Thompson Insurance
Consultants
Elanders Printers
Great North Electrics
Heineken
HC-One Care Homes
Innovate Mortgage and Loans
experts
JD Joinery, Joinery & Building
Services
Jobling Purser Loves Tar
Joe Dixon, Joinery, Building and
Maintenance Services
Knight Frank Estate Agent
Marston’s Beer Company
Muckle’s Law firm
Northumbria Coast & Country
Cottages Ltd.
Pumphrey’s Coffee
Reece Group Inspired Engineering
Ridley Brothers Electrical
Contractors
Silverstone Building Consultancy
and Project Management
Stay Northumbria Northumberland
Self-catering Holiday Cottages
UBS Wealth Management
UNW Business Energisers
Newsletter compiled by Mel Vecsey with
contributions from, Richard Kain, Ian
Ramshaw, Allan Curry and David Giles.
