Our History
21st September 1923
A RUGGER BOOM IN NORTH WEST DURHAM.ENTHUISASTIC MEETING AT CONSETT.
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR THE NEW ORGANISATION.
Largely as a result of the efforts of Councilman C. Taylor, of Leadgate, a definite move has been made towards the establishment of a Rugby Football Club in this locality. For a long lime it has been talked about, and several gentlemen have expressed a wish to see a Rugby club started but nothing of a material nature had been accomplished until last week when, as the out­come of a meeting called by Councilman Taylor, a well-attended meeting was held in the Commercial Hotel. Consett, last Friday night. That the "Rugger" game has a hold in the district—and a good hold—was proved not only by the attendance, but also by the many promises of support from -var­ious gentlemen who have the good of this fine game at heart. It seems to me that no organisation could possibly commence under 'brighter auspices and I consider the outlook for the new Consett and District Rugby Club—for that is its title—is of a very rosy nature.-:o:‑One of the keenest Rugby enthusiasts in the district is undoubtedly Mr. Percy Freeman, of Blackhill, who narrowly missed playing for the strong Cumberland County side, as he took part in the trial games. It .was very gratifying to see Mr. Freeman at Friday night's meeting, and he received a unanimous coll to occupy the chair He expressed his delight at finding that an effort was being made to revive the Rugby game in North-West Durham, and thought that once a club was started—as he hoped would be the case that night—there was no doubt as to its ultimate success. Many of my readers will no doubt remember Mr. Jos. Askew, formerly of Blackhill but now residing at North Shields. As a result of seeing in the papers a notice of the meet­ing to be held at Consett, Mr. Askew, with characteristic enthusiasm, promptly for­warded on a letter to a friend wishing the project every success.-:o:‑The Chairman (Mr. Freeman) read the letter from Mr. Askew which was as follows "37. Park Crescent, North. Shields, 13th Sept., 1923:—I am delighted to see in this morning's papers that an attempt will be made to resuscitate Rugby football in the Consett district, and I hasten to wish you every measure of success at tonight's meeting- Knowing that a lot of the "good old has-beens" are still. in your midst I have no doubt that their full support and influence will be thrown into the project which should assure its future. Having played "Rugger" at Blackhill before "Soccer" was thought of there, and also being a member of the club which the late war broke up, I am keenly interested, hence this sincere well-wisher." The reading of the letter was received with applause.-:o:-After the Chairman's opening remarks, Councilman Taylor followed with an interesting speech. He said that although a compara­tive stranger in the district—he had only been there about four years—he found upon going about many wishes expressed for the starting of a Rugby club in the district. After consulting with some lovers of the 'Rugger" code it was decided to call that meeting, and he was very pleased to see such a good response. He believed that there was every opening in-that locality for a Rugby club, and he saw no reason why it should not be a great success. There were plenty of Rugby players in the district, and also a large number of gentlemen that were prepared to give the organisation—once it was safely launched—every support and encouragement. He thought that they would be able to secure a suitable field, and it was only a question of getting the club under way. -:o:-Mr. G. A. Hunter who has taken a very warm interest in the movement stated that he had received the names of some 40 gentlemen apart from those present that evening -who were prepared to either support or play if a club was commenced. They could depend upon the assistance of a number of influential gentlemen, and he thought that the services of over 30 players would be available at once, The Chairman said that their were quite a number of old public schoolboys that were anxious to play 'Rugger," and probably the services of some of the "old brigade" would still be avail­able. Messrs J. Richardson, E. Young, and others all spoke in favor of a club being formed, and expressed themselves as con­fident that it would be a great success. Eventually a motion was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously that a Rugby club be started; and, on the motion of Councilman Taylor, seconded by Mr. Young, it was re­solved that the name of the club be Con­sett and District.-:o:-Mr. Hunter kindly consented to act as secretary pro. tem. in order to keep a record of the business transacted. Mr. Freeman was unanimously elected president, although he was somewhat diffident about accepting the position being of the opinion that they might have chosen someone of greater in­fluence. However, his heart was very much in the "Rugger" movement, and they could rely upon it that anything he could do to help the club would be willingly done­ sentiments that were received with much applause.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------With regard to the photo above, Mel Spratt had advised that on researching the unfolding of the flag the date was between 1934 to 1936 .The match was between Consett and Hartlepool Old Boys at Blackhill .Before the match Mr J T Nicholson 'Jimmy Nick' of Hartlepool OB President of the Durham Rugby Union ,Unfurled the new flag . Comment from the President "The game was played in the gale it was marvellous how they controlled the ball"
A RUGGER BOOM IN NORTH WEST DURHAM.ENTHUISASTIC MEETING AT CONSETT.
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR THE NEW ORGANISATION.
Largely as a result of the efforts of Councilman C. Taylor, of Leadgate, a definite move has been made towards the establishment of a Rugby Football Club in this locality. For a long lime it has been talked about, and several gentlemen have expressed a wish to see a Rugby club started but nothing of a material nature had been accomplished until last week when, as the out­come of a meeting called by Councilman Taylor, a well-attended meeting was held in the Commercial Hotel. Consett, last Friday night. That the "Rugger" game has a hold in the district—and a good hold—was proved not only by the attendance, but also by the many promises of support from -var­ious gentlemen who have the good of this fine game at heart. It seems to me that no organisation could possibly commence under 'brighter auspices and I consider the outlook for the new Consett and District Rugby Club—for that is its title—is of a very rosy nature.-:o:‑One of the keenest Rugby enthusiasts in the district is undoubtedly Mr. Percy Freeman, of Blackhill, who narrowly missed playing for the strong Cumberland County side, as he took part in the trial games. It .was very gratifying to see Mr. Freeman at Friday night's meeting, and he received a unanimous coll to occupy the chair He expressed his delight at finding that an effort was being made to revive the Rugby game in North-West Durham, and thought that once a club was started—as he hoped would be the case that night—there was no doubt as to its ultimate success. Many of my readers will no doubt remember Mr. Jos. Askew, formerly of Blackhill but now residing at North Shields. As a result of seeing in the papers a notice of the meet­ing to be held at Consett, Mr. Askew, with characteristic enthusiasm, promptly for­warded on a letter to a friend wishing the project every success.-:o:‑The Chairman (Mr. Freeman) read the letter from Mr. Askew which was as follows "37. Park Crescent, North. Shields, 13th Sept., 1923:—I am delighted to see in this morning's papers that an attempt will be made to resuscitate Rugby football in the Consett district, and I hasten to wish you every measure of success at tonight's meeting- Knowing that a lot of the "good old has-beens" are still. in your midst I have no doubt that their full support and influence will be thrown into the project which should assure its future. Having played "Rugger" at Blackhill before "Soccer" was thought of there, and also being a member of the club which the late war broke up, I am keenly interested, hence this sincere well-wisher." The reading of the letter was received with applause.-:o:-After the Chairman's opening remarks, Councilman Taylor followed with an interesting speech. He said that although a compara­tive stranger in the district—he had only been there about four years—he found upon going about many wishes expressed for the starting of a Rugby club in the district. After consulting with some lovers of the 'Rugger" code it was decided to call that meeting, and he was very pleased to see such a good response. He believed that there was every opening in-that locality for a Rugby club, and he saw no reason why it should not be a great success. There were plenty of Rugby players in the district, and also a large number of gentlemen that were prepared to give the organisation—once it was safely launched—every support and encouragement. He thought that they would be able to secure a suitable field, and it was only a question of getting the club under way. -:o:-Mr. G. A. Hunter who has taken a very warm interest in the movement stated that he had received the names of some 40 gentlemen apart from those present that evening -who were prepared to either support or play if a club was commenced. They could depend upon the assistance of a number of influential gentlemen, and he thought that the services of over 30 players would be available at once, The Chairman said that their were quite a number of old public schoolboys that were anxious to play 'Rugger," and probably the services of some of the "old brigade" would still be avail­able. Messrs J. Richardson, E. Young, and others all spoke in favor of a club being formed, and expressed themselves as con­fident that it would be a great success. Eventually a motion was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously that a Rugby club be started; and, on the motion of Councilman Taylor, seconded by Mr. Young, it was re­solved that the name of the club be Con­sett and District.-:o:-Mr. Hunter kindly consented to act as secretary pro. tem. in order to keep a record of the business transacted. Mr. Freeman was unanimously elected president, although he was somewhat diffident about accepting the position being of the opinion that they might have chosen someone of greater in­fluence. However, his heart was very much in the "Rugger" movement, and they could rely upon it that anything he could do to help the club would be willingly done­ sentiments that were received with much applause.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------With regard to the photo above, Mel Spratt had advised that on researching the unfolding of the flag the date was between 1934 to 1936 .The match was between Consett and Hartlepool Old Boys at Blackhill .Before the match Mr J T Nicholson 'Jimmy Nick' of Hartlepool OB President of the Durham Rugby Union ,Unfurled the new flag . Comment from the President "The game was played in the gale it was marvellous how they controlled the ball"
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