Newcastle Falcons
June 14 2001
Club Details
Kingston Park
Brunton Road
Kenton Bank Foot
Newcastle
NE13 8AF
Stadium Capacity: 10,000
Website: www.newcastle-falcons.co.uk
Founded: 1995 (Gosforth formed in 1877)
- 2008/9 Season Preview -
Last time around: Surely a season to forget for the Falcons as they finished with only lowly Leeds beneath them! There were few good points to recall - one being an impressive away win at Saracens - but overall the sacking of John Fletcher and sales of Toby Flood and Mathew Tait sum up a dour year in the north-east!
This time around? It's hard to see past a relegation dogfight at Kingston Park this season where they will need Jonny Wilkinson at his poaching best if they are to avoid bottom spot. Although many have moaned over the eyebrow-raising transfers of Tait and Flood, their centre replacements in Davey and Tu'ipulotu could bring greater direction to the Falcons' game... Tough season is a certainty!
Coach: John Fletcher's abrupt 'mutual departure' thrusted the Newcastle reins into the hands of assistant and Saxons boss Steve Bates. Unfortunately club form didn't mirror his Churchill Cup fate as the Falcons struggled to the season's end!
One to watch: In a season that could see the Falcons battling perilously close the trapdoor, Steve Bates may need to call on grit in place of attacking flair in order to avoid the drop. That is why the pack will be so crucial with Phil Dowson and the skills of Brent Wilson key to Jonny Wilkinson leading the points scrap.
In: Tane Tu'ipulotu (Hurricanes), Spencer Davey (Doncaster), Adam Balding (Gloucester).
Out: Toby Flood (Leicester), Mathew Tait (Sale), Ben Woods (Leicester), Lee Dickson (Northampton), Matt Burke (retired).
Prediction: 12th
Colours: Black and white
Tickets: £12 - 40
Travel connections: Newcastle has an airport, which is only a ten-minute drive and a five-minute metro ride from the ground, and there is a regular bus service. There is a major rail station, but allow plenty of time, as you will have to make a half-hour Metro journey from town to the Kingston Park station, and the bus journey takes even longer. The ground is a little fiddly to get to by road, and there isn't much parking.