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| Noon Confirms French Move |
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| 4 May 2009, 12:09 pm |
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| Newcastle centre Jamie Noon has confirmed he is leaving the Falcons this summer, to take up a new challenge in France. |
Noon, who turns 30 on Saturday, has made 241 appearances in ten seasons for the Falcons, scoring 55 tries.
Upon announcing his departure, he said: "This has not been an easy decision, because Newcastle Falcons is a tremendous club which has really made me what I am today.
"The supporters have always been fantastic during every single one of my ten years here, and I hope they can understand that this is not a decision I have taken lightly.
"I have received an offer to go and experience something new over in France, and with our three children being so young myself and my wife Rachel were never going to get the chance again as a family to go and sample such a different way of life and a new culture."
Despite still having a year left to run on his Falcons contract, Noon said: "I would like to thank Newcastle for allowing me to take up this challenge, and for their understanding in what has been an extremely difficult decision in leaving a club where I have so many good friends and fond memories.
"I have no doubt that the club will go from strength to strength with the quality of players and coaches at Kingston Park, and I wish the Falcons and their supporters all the best for the future."
Falcons director of rugby, Steve Bates, hailed Noon's contribution during his decade on Tyneside, stating: "Jamie has been an outstanding performer for this club during every single one of his ten seasons.
"Not only that, but his attitude in training and behind the scenes has been a key contributary factor to the success we have enjoyed, including two Twickenham Cup final victories. He came here as a teenager but has grown in to a man, cementing his place in our first team before going on to achieve well-deserved international recognition."
Commenting on Noon's decision to take up a fresh challenge across the Channel, Bates said: "Jamie has thought long and hard about what was clearly a massive decision, but after the enormous amount he has given to this club during the past ten years we were never going to stand in his way.
"He leaves with our best wishes, and I am sure he will go on to be a big success at his new club."
With the Falcons already making great strides on the recruitment front this summer, Bates added: "Clearly there are big shoes to be filled following Jamie's departure, but this is an exciting period for the club with the quality we are currently bringing to Kingston Park.
"Naturally, as with any job, it is sad when people move on, but our progress in bringing players to Newcastle remains extremely positive behind the scenes. The talent we are recruiting can really drive this club forward, and everybody at Kingston Park is already looking forward to our prospects for next season with the ambition the club is currently showing." |
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