A lot of this will go over your heads in regards to the clubs mentioned etc. There’s issues in Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire, Northumberland and Durham. There’s a reason these reviews are taking place.
REPORT TO NORTHUMBERLAND RUGBY UNION BOARD, AND COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE
How Northumberland (and Durham) rugby union clubs have fared from 30 years of league rugby
INTRODUCTION
It is perhaps fitting that this report is produced at the end of the 2017-18 season; the first bad winter for many years, and also a season in which a number of Northumberland clubs are struggling in their leagues.
This information was first collected during the 2016-17 season, but had not yet been reported upon. It is now very timely, with the potential for this report to provide a meaningful system of measurement for the Northumberland Rugby Union Strategic Plan (NRU SP), allowing comparison over time on the performance of Northumberland (and Durham) clubs in the national league pyramid. We are able to look at how 30 years of league rugby affected individual clubs, and also how the overall standing of the two counties has changed.
It should be made clear, that the views held in this report, are those of Graham and Chris Ward (both Novocastrians RFC), and do not necessarily reflect the views held by Novos as a club. We carried out the research after many, many conversations where we discussed how league rugby has affected the game in the North East on many fronts; how different fixtures are now compared to the playing of rugby both before and during the earlier years of league rugby, how fewer fixtures are played, and potentially how income and expenditure are affected by the requirements of league rugby.
We do hark back to an era – not too long ago, when club first teams had fixtures on every Saturday of the season, and where for most clubs, meaningful local friendlies took place. We make our own conclusions and recommendations to Northumberland Board and Competitions Committee.
METHODOLOGY
The inaugural league season was in 1987-88, when fixtures were played either home or away. In the pyramid of leagues that Northumberland and Durham clubs are part of, there were 12 leagues in that first season, through National 1, 2 and 3, Area North, North 1 and 2, North East 1 and 2, then D&N 1, 2, 3 and 4. The national leagues each had 12 teams; the rest of the leagues had 11 teams, with 10 in D&N3 and 8 in D&N 4. In total, there were 131 clubs in our pyramid.
There have been a number of restructures over the years, leading to frequent changes in the number of clubs in our pyramid. These changes mean that it is not straightforward in making simple comparisons over time as to how individual clubs have progressed.
Season 93-94 saw the introduction of home AND away games in the National League set-up (Nat 1- Nat 4).
1996-97, the season which saw the advent of the professional era, also brought home AND away games into the entire league structure.
We sourced most of the Rothmans Year Books covering most of the league seasons, until the start of computerised league records being held by the RFU. At 7 regular points across the last 3 decades, we plotted where each Northumberland and Durham clubs were in relation to the pyramid. Given the regular changes in structure / pyramid size, we decided that the best way to enable comparison was to allocate the actual finishing position a ratio.
For example, in a pyramid of 100, the top of the Premiership is 1/100 = 0.01, and the bottom of D&N3 is 100/100 = 1.0. A club halfway, i.e. 50/100 = 0.5.
In a pyramid of 125, the top is 1/125 = 0.008, bottom is 125/125 so still 1.0, but the team in 50th position, 50/125 = 0.4. The middle of the pyramid is now 62nd position.
Using the ratio at the 7 points in time, allows us to see where each of the clubs in the two counties are in the structure and whether they have moved up, down or stayed the same in relation to clubs in Durham and Northumberland, the North East, the North, and nationally, regardless of how many leagues there are, and how many clubs there are in each league at each point in time. The lower the ratio, the higher a club is up the pyramid.
RESTRUCTURES
Season 1990-91 saw the first reorganisation, just at National Level. This saw the top 4 tiers increase in size from 12 to 13. “Gosforth [sic] escaped relegation to Division 3 because there was none. The size of national divisions is increased for 1990-91, so Gosforth remained in Division 2” (Rothmans RU Year Book 1990-91). This was the first of many restructures which would have a knock-on effect throughout the league pyramid, where a number of teams who should have been relegated, avoided so.
This has been repeated on a number of occasions since (too many to mention), where teams have either been promoted or relegated as a direct result of changes in the pyramid, with the number of clubs in leagues increasing or decreasing, or the actual number of leagues changing. Similarly for Northumberland and Durham clubs, relegation when not expected can follow the movement of Yorkshire clubs into or out of our local D&N leagues. Most recently, at the end of season 2016-17, Blyth who had finished 3rd bottom of D&N 2 were relegated to D&N 3 as a result of Acklam moving back into our pyramid from Yorkshire, although geographically in Yorkshire. A significant number of Yorkshire clubs are, and have been in D&N leagues over the years.
These changes have affected the number of clubs in our league pyramid, hence the methodology outlined above, as we are not exactly matching like with like. Across the 7 seasons that form our analysis, our pyramid is as follows:
1987-88 131 clubs across 12 tiers
1991-92 137 clubs across 12 tiers
1996-97 143 clubs across 13 tiers
2001-02 107 clubs across 10 tiers
2006-07 116 clubs across 9 tiers
2011-12 122 clubs across 9 tiers
2016-17 123 clubs across 9 tiers
The various changes to league arrangements, have led to massive change in how club 1st XV rugby is organised, countrywide. In the inaugural season, with clubs playing each other either home OR away, clubs played a maximum of 11 league games; the majority played 10. Thirty years on, all league rugby is home AND away, and with variance of league sizes, there is now between 22 and 30 league games.
THE FINDINGS
TOP 50% OF THE PYRAMID, 1987-88
In the inaugural league season of 1987-88, Northumberland had 4 clubs in the top 50% of the pyramids; Gosforth (now Newcastle Falcons 0.168), Northern (0.313), Tynedale (0.405) and Alnwick (0.481), in that order.
Durham had 3 clubs in the top 50%; West Hartlepool (0.199), Durham City (0.29), and Hartlepool Rovers (0.42).
This point will be repeated regularly, that with the many changes to league structures, we are not comparing like with like. In that first season, there were 6 tiers above the North-East leagues, and Alnwick who finished 5th in North 2, were the lowest of the 7 D&N clubs who finished in the top 50% of the pyramid.
NORTH-EAST LEAGUES
Then came North-East 1 and 2, both of which contained 4 D&N clubs, then the local Durham and Northumberland Leagues 1-4.
Overall, there were 15 clubs from Northumberland and Durham who were in leagues above the D&N tiers; 7 from Northumberland and 8 from Durham.
DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND LEAGUES
Top of D&N1 that year (Blyth) were placed at 0.702 in the pyramid. In total, there were 40 clubs in the D&N leagues, of which 6 were from North Yorkshire (Acklam, Redcar, Whitby, Guisborough, Wensleydale and Richmonshire). In all leagues that season, there were 17 Northumberland clubs and 32 Durham clubs.
Whilst there are a number of individual club stories to tell, and with 7 points in time across the 30 years to look at, it is perhaps a direct comparison of where the Northumberland (and Durham clubs) finished in 2016-17, which gives the most immediate comparison of like with like.
TOP 50% OF THE PYRAMID, 2016-17
From 7 clubs in the top 50% of the pyramid in that first season, there were just 5 clubs who finished in the top half in the most recently completed season. In order, they were Newcastle Falcons (0.065), Darlington Mowden Park (0.268), Blaydon (0.309), Tynedale (0.366) and Billingham (0.488).
From Northumberland, the Falcons and Tynedale have remained stable, but Northern and Alnwick dropped out. Very interestingly for Durham, all of the previous 3 in the top 50% have dropped out, replaced by 3 clubs who have made significant strides up the leagues.
ABOVE DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND LEAGUES 2016-17
With restructures, there was now only 1 league between the National leagues and the D&N Leagues; North 1 East. With 5 clubs from Northumberland and Durham in this league in 2016-17, the numbers playing above the D&N league structure had now reduced from 15 (in 1987-88) to just 10. Previously 7 Northumberland clubs (1987-88) there were now 5, and previously 8 Durham clubs was also now 5.
DURHAM & NORTHUMBERLAND LEAGUES 2016-17
Top of D&N 1 in 2016-17 (Northern) were placed at 0.683 in the pyramid (0.702 in first season). As with that first year, there were still 40 clubs in the 3 D&N leagues, including 4 from North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough, Redcar, Whitby and Richmondshire). In all leagues last season, there were still 17 Northumberland clubs, but 29 Durham clubs, down from 32.
CHANGES FROM 1987-88 TO 2016-17
There are some clubs from both counties which have seen improvements in their standing in the pyramid; for some very significant. There are however, far more clubs which have seen their standing deteriorate, again for some very significantly. By using the ratio of a club’s standing in the pyramid at different points, we can show the percentage change +/- for each club.
6 Northumberland clubs have improved their standing: Falcons (10.3%), Tynedale (3.9%), Percy Park (16.1%), Medicals (8.3%), North Shields (7%) and Gosforth – who reformed in 1996-7 (21%).
All of the other Northumberland clubs have seen their standings decrease: Northern (37%), Alnwick (11.1%), Morpeth (6.9%), Novos (15.4%), Blyth (18.4%), WB Rockliff (10.4%), Ponteland (8.7%), Ashington (14.5%), Seghill (21.1%), Wallsend (10.3%) and Prudhoe & Stocksfield (1.3%).
In Durham, there are similar differences in standings. The most significant improvements are:
Blaydon (29.4%), DMP (51.8%), Billingham (39%) and Consett (11%).
The most significant deteriorations are: West Hartlepool (38.6%), Durham City (36.9%), Hartlepool Rovers (34.4%) and Gateshead (who also merged with North Durham - 18.2%).
There will be many and varied reasons for what has happened to each club over the 30 years. Without passing comment, it is noticeable however that where the biggest changes have happened, for many of the clubs (predominantly Durham), the spending of money in pursuit of league status has been a significant factor.
2017-18
As we write (16.4.18), the season is drawing to a (very late) close, due to the severe and prolonged winter. As with all seasons, clubs continue to move up and down the structure.
Both Newcastle Falcons and Tynedale have again had good seasons; Newcastle will have their highest finish since winning the title in 1998. Fingers crossed, Alnwick will be promoted from North 1 East; Morpeth have also had a good season in this league. In D&N 2, WB Rockliff are still in with a chance of being promoted in 2nd position, however their league season will continue until May 12th.
These are the good news stories for Northumberland. Yesterday, it was confirmed that Northern (and West Hartlepool) have been relegated from North 1 East. It looks like Percy Park need to win both their last 2 games if they are to avoid the same fate, but even this might not guarantee their status.
In the next league down (D&N1), only 4 of the 14 teams are Northumberland clubs, and currently they are all in the bottom 5 positions. Whilst Redcar (a Yorkshire club) are already relegated, a minimum of 1 Northumberland club will be relegated. Depending on what happens in North 1 East and any possible sideways moves to / from Yorkshire leagues, another Northumberland club could also drop down. Gosforth, Ponteland and Medicals are all at risk.
There will be 1 Durham club promoted from D&N1, and depending on how the play-off against Yorkshire 1 goes, potentially a second. The promoted club(s) will come from Durham City, Barnard Castle, Consett and Westoe.
Under a possible scenario of Alnwick being promoted from North 1 East, and only 1 Durham club being promoted from D&N1, then North 1 East will have only Morpeth and the Durham club as local clubs in the league; the other 12 will be from Yorkshire. That would mean that only 8 Northumberland and Durham clubs were in leagues above the D&N tiers, 4 from each county. A very sad situation. Should this occur, Alnwick’s nearest away game of 13 will be at Billingham. Morpeth too will have very difficult and expensive travel commitments. Truly, they will both be geographically challenged (we will come back to this phrase later).
There will be many different views about how to read league standings, and at what level clubs want to be playing their league rugby. What these figures show however, is that overall, since the inception of league rugby, there has been a significant erosion of the overall, relative strength of Northumberland (and Durham) clubs.
Having this information, what do we want to do with it, if anything?
HOW CLUB 1st XV (and junior teams) RUGBY HAS CHANGED
Prior to, and during the early years of league rugby, virtually all clubs would have 1st XV fixtures on every Saturday of the season. Before the introduction of leagues, matches might have been classed as ‘friendlies’ or as ‘merit table’ fixtures. Additionally, for part of this period, Northumberland County also played Senior Cup fixtures midweek. The matches that most of our clubs used to have, included many long-standing, traditional fixtures. It was common-place for clubs to play all of their fixtures on any given day, against the same club. For example, Morpeth v Novos might have 3 games on at Morpeth (1st, 3rd and 5th XV), and 3 on at Novos (2nd, 4th and 6th XV). Both clubhouses would be full for many hours after the games, with many players and supporters spending money over both home and away bars.
The tables below, show Novos’ completed 1st XV fixtures from the season before, and the first season of league rugby. Our fixture list is now incredibly different - and didn’t we do quite well back then – possibly something to do with Jim Pollock joining the police in 1986, and coming back to Novos from Gosforth!
Season 1986-87 Season 1987-88
Seghill 44 12 W Seghill 26 6 W
Tynedale 12 9 W Tynedale 3 10 L
Horden 13 13 D Northern 4 34 L
Carlisle 23 13 W Ryton L 6 0 W
Hartlepool 25 16 W Stockton L 10 9 W
Nth Durham 16 0 W Hartlepool 27 21 W
Ripon 13 3 W York L 10 4 W
Northallerton 22 7 W Ncle UniversityL 16 12 W
Penrith 7 9 L Beverley L 15 13 W
Scarborough 44 3 W Penrith 15 6 W
Winlaton 10 7 W Barnsley L 16 4 W
Blaydon 11 6 W Selby L 6 3 W
Ryton 23 0 W Winlaton 13 7 W
Percy Park 21 7 W Ripon 10 6 W
Medicals 52 3 W Darlington 7 3 W
Stockton 9 14 L Medicals 15 13 W
Ashington 17 3 W Ashington 13 14 L
Currie 17 10 W Gateshead Fell 16 16 D
Morpeth 10 13 L Morpeth 12 14 L
Westoe 12 9 W Westoe 18 14 W
Redcar 16 4 W Gosforth 10 9 W
Rockcliff 22 9 W Morpeth 9 14 L
Berwick 15 11 W Old Hymerians L 16 7 W
Durham Univ 16 12 W Wigton 23 10 W
Gosforth 4 12 L Percy Park 34 7 W
N/cle University 25 6 W Durham Univ 10 4 W
Redcar 13 0 W Horden 16 6 W
Gateshead Fell 4 15 L Alnwick 12 20 L
Darlington 9 16 L Westoe 13 13 D
Sunderland 9 7 W Carlisle 15 27 L
N/cle University 19 7 W Pocklington L 29 7 W
Northern 10 29 L Blaydon 16 12 W
Leodiensians 3 4 L Pontefract L 13 13 D
Seghill 38 11 W Ashington 7 9 L
Mowden Park 38 13 W H'pool Rovers 23 17 W
Wasps II 16 32 L
Leodiensians 52 0 W
Seghill 22 9 W
Mowden Park 23 6 W
Redcar 15 9 W
For season 2017-18 for Novos, our 1st XV fixtures included 1 warm-up game, the 26 league fixtures, 3 cup dates, and 1 friendly between Christmas and New Year. 31 fixtures arranged for 37 Saturdays. It was common for there to be 38 1st XV fixtures per season, then cup matches.
As the number of league fixtures has increased, fixtures and numbers of games for most clubs has changed significantly. With rugby union being a winter sport, there is always the possibility of increasing numbers of league fixtures being postponed. This has led to the need for a number of Saturdays after Christmas to be designated as ‘league free’ weekends; basically kept free for any re-arranged fixtures following a postponement. This has been the first winter for many years when this has actually been required in great numbers. To our knowledge, it is unusual if not rare, for any friendlies to be arranged on the league-free Saturdays.
Players’ attitudes have also changed with time. There is strong evidence that players now look for the league fixtures to come out, and then make alternative arrangements for non-league weekends, when invariably there are no 1st XV fixtures at all. This is perhaps difficult to understand for the older rugby players amongst us who wanted to play every Saturday. However given the intense nature of league rugby, it is perhaps understandable?
Example. On 24th February 2018 (originally scheduled as a league-free weekend – 6 Nations), Gosforth lost 123-0 to Westoe in a re-arranged fixture. Gosforth could only select a 1st XV squad from 17 players across the whole club; they wanted to fulfil the fixture so as not to be deducted 5 points in the league system and an increased risk of relegation to D&N2.
So far, this report has concentrated just on 1st XV fixtures and league standings. However, as most people reading this report will be only too aware, there has been considerable change (for the worse) at all levels of club rugby. In 2014, the RFU published their wide-ranging Adult Competition Review. That report will again be well known by those reading this report. Rather than going into any detail on it, we include this segment as it relates to the playing of all club rugby and significantly includes some very pertinent information on Morpeth RFC.