Newcastle Falcons

Last night was a good opportunity for the season ticket holders to have a voice with the chairman, director of rugby and commercial director.

As stated previously I think it is good that they do this, not sure how many other rugby chairmen do it and can't imagine NUFC or e.g.Sir Alex Ferguson doing it so credit where it is due.

It seems there are perennial problems with the bars and catering and again Dave Thompson indicated that they are trying to make progress with this side of things, Christine Balford also indicated that the club is looking at ways to accommodate season ticket holders for a meal or similar before the games.

There were numerous criticisms of the style of play and of course results and standings.
DT pointed out that we are one of the only four English clubs still in European competitions and that we are only a couple of results away from 6th position in the GP.
SB stated that the players were all putting every effort into their game, made comment about the pitch not being helpful, and that the team was almost, but not quite, at the point he wants it as far as communication between players and execution of game plans goes.
SB said that Jimmy Gopperth was unhappy with his own kicking form which has not lived up to his own standards and percentages as displayed in super 14. SB expects it to improve.
When pushed SB was adamant that the way the players are being coached and are playing will provide the right results.

A discussion about semantics ensued involving the DoR and Chairman when talking about the team using the words "be competitive" when a member of the audience would prefer "be good"

DT explained that the pitch had deteriorated after an irrigation system was installed which inadvertently sliced through all the field drains. This will be fixed in the closed season.

SB and DT were asked about recruitment and retention and both stated that although they had wanted to keep some, but not all, of last year's departures were generally happy both with the current squad and the current recruitment and retention plans.
Carl Hayman will be making his own announcement about his future shortly and DT stated the club had made every effort to retain him at the club.

I am sure I have missed some stuff out as this is from memory only, please dive in with the points I have missed or misrepresented.

I would like to see 3 wins before the season end, two will probably keep us safe, I am 80 - 90 % sure to renew but I demand a top 7 finish next year and in reality expect that the talk stops and the deeds are done to give us a top 6 finish.
GP has to be a priority with the various cups taking second place.

Many thanks Greenbike. As you say there are not many other club owners/DOR's would do this and they should be congratulated for putting their heads above the parapet and taking the flak. I hope that there was a good turn out - unfortunately work and a 100+ mile round trip prevented us going.

If anyone can add to this it would be greatly appreciated.

We will be renewing our season tickets in time to get the early bird discount. Try and save money where we can!

Reading between the lines; DT states Carl will be making a statement about his future soon and that he (DT) had done everything to retain him. I read this as saying CH is leaving.
Maybe I am adding 2 and 2 and getting 5, I hope I am wrong.

Thanks for giving us that info greenbike. I have received my season ticket renewal request today and I will have to think long and hard.

One more thing and I hope I get this the right way round, DT pointed out how the ELV's had changed the way the game is played and the reason for so much kicking as stated by SB is because at the break down the referee's have been told to give the defending team the advantage. Hence the reason when a player gets it in his own half it is better to kick it up field and chase because once in the opposition have the ball you become the defending team!

Please if anyone from last night reads this please correct me if am wrong.

Also what DT said was that the super 14 have looked at this law differently and told the referee that once a tackle is made the player must roll away allowing the attacking player to play the ball, supposedly its working really well and super 14 will teams are playing a lot more of a running game instead of kicking game. DT also said that Premier rugby and the rfu are looking at it too.

macaz007,

I think you have that correct, the only bit I interpreted differently was that not only have Premier Rugby and the RFU discussed this but that the referees have now actually been instructed to interpret the law in the way you say to give the attacking team the advantage at the breakdown.
SB and DT stated that was now in practise and we should see a change in the next few weeks/next season so hopefully less ping pong.

Greenbike - invaluable service in providing an update many thanks.

Those of us working +200miles away really appreciate the effort.

Cheers

yes thanx for the info, i agree does not sound very good about Carl H.
How many were there? I would have went but work 12 shifts and was on nights.
Cheers

I think there were 50 -80 ish mark there. Yeah does not sound good bout Carl H but we all knew bout it only being a sabbatical in europe and lets face it by the sounds of things he is having a hard time deciding what to do!!!

It will take a lot for the club to replace him and hope they can with some one near his ability. Hopefully the saving on his supposed high salary will come in handy too.

Have remembered something else, amazing what a glass of red can do.

SB and DT mentioned they thought Peter Browne was well on his way to being a good player and pack/squad member.
They also said they thought that with careful management - and were prepared to admit they had not done that as well as they might have with other players - that Will Welch and Alex Gray had great potential.

Following this up DT stated that we had the highest amount of English qualified players coming out of our academy and in our match day squad out of all GP teams.

They said they were proud of this and I agree wholeheartedly.
(Polite but insincere apologies to our St Andrew fans)

If 50-80 were there I wonder why so few are active on this forum???

Thats probably because the unofficial messageboard is generally the busier board. Certianly I get more interest in away travel and supporters club events through that.

Good to put a face to a name Greenbike , sorry had to dash off - it ran on later than thought and my lift was in a hurry. Catch up at a game soon or there's plenty of us going to The Hiding Place tomorow for the game and band afterwards.

I didnt think steve Bates answered questions all that well to be fair but Thommo is always straight to the point and honest but then he has a passion for the club more than most.

Good to meet you too 1888.

I agree that DT was straight forward, I think maybe the in depth answers from SB gave you that impression. He certainly has some knowledge of the game itself and current issues.

Unofficial board?? Get enough grief for typing away on this one without doubling up. Am sure it's good, have looked a couple of times but will stick to just one thanks.

I didn't know there was an unofficial message board!! Do you have a link to see what people are saying?