There were isolated references to matches involving a Blaydon club as early as 1880, but Blaydon ARC’s history really started in September 1888 when Blaydon Star played Benwell Juniors at Blaydon. Benwell’s Juniors were their third team. Other teams which Blaydon Star played included St. Cuthberts (Shotley Bridge), St. Peters Institute (Jarrow) Jubilee foyers, Stargate, Chopwell, Blackhill, Newcastle Rangers Srds and Hexham Excelsior.
Blaydon RFC grew over the first five years as the village grew to a town. By 1892 Blaydon RFC (the Star had been dropped) had three teams, and by 1895 Blaydon had become a senior club.
By 1896 fixtures had been arranged with Rockcliff, Northern, Percy Park, North Durham, Tynedale, Brighton and Harrogate.
Blaydon RFC had first played on Dick Gibson’s field at the Sandhole Path head which was adjacent to the Summerhill in the grounds of Stella Hall. In 1893 the club moved to Blaydon Race Course on Stella Haughs, then transferred to a ground on Blaydon Haughs, known locally as ‘The Spike’, before returning to the Race Course and back again, until the First World War.
After the war rugby was played again on 9th November 1919. As the Blaydon Courier reported “For the first time since March 1914, wgby football is expected to be played at Blaydon on Saturday. Ground difficulties have prevented an earlier start, and it is hoped the new ground at Stella will be ready when Percy Park will be the visitors With a view of bringing the younger members more into touch with the rudiments of the game, players meetings are to be held weekly and the first of those will take place on Friday evening at 7.30 in the Station Hotel, when all players are expected to attend.’
The ground mentioned was the new ground at Stella, which remained the headquarters until 1951. Originally called the Sawmill ground, adjoining the pre-1909 Racecourse, the club became tenants of the Stella Coal Co. at a rent of £5 per annum.
In the first season at Stella the loss of two balls in the nearby river Tyne persuaded the club to employ a boatman in January 1920, to retrieve lost balls. At the first match high winds carried the ball into the water on three occasions. J. Gardener, the first boatman soon earned his wages of one shilling (Sp.) per week.
One of Blaydons most famous Sons, as a player and administrator was Bob Williams, President for thirty-four years. In 1950 the club was in danger of going out of existence as the ground was to be taken over by the Electricity Board by compulsory purchase, to build a power station. Mainly due to Bob Williams’ efforts the club was able to buy the ground at Crow Trees. The Electricity board offered £500 if Blaydon would vacate Stella; Blaydon negotiated £1,000. The NCB asked for £425 for land at Crow Trees; Blaydon offered £350. The tenant was offered £30 to vacate, but he negotiated £50.
Another stalwart of the Blaydon club was Jack Brooks, Hon. Secretary of the club from 1931 to 1983 and Durham County President 1956/58. He guided the club through the traumas of the thirties, the Second World War and the move to Crow Trees. When the club hoped to re-start playing in Season 1945-46 Jack wrote to the Rugby Football Union asking for assistance. An extract reads: “As we intend to hold practice matches and give tuition during the Summer evenings, I shall be obliged if you can let me have at your convenience:-
a) Licence to purchase 2 baIls (complete) and 2 spare bladders.
b) Coupons for the purchase of Jerseys, knickers and stockings.”
‘ Our club suffered serious loss in the Spring of 1943, the pavilion and one of our stands (both wooden erections) being damaged beyond repair in a gale. Unfortunately we were not insured against this class of loss. We sold the wrecked pavilion and stand as scrap and second-hand timber for £50.
“ When in March 1940 we had to suspend our activities, we had about £60 in hand, so that our balance is now a little over £100, but we are without a pavilion and are likely to have to face renewal of fences.’
As to stripping accommodation, I think we will be able to get fixed up temporarily at a nearby public house.” This tells you a lot about the changes in the game - with Blaydon’s excellent clubhouse and facilities comparing very favourably with conditions at Stella. It also tells you about Jack Brooks, and the determination of him and his likes to get the game and the club they loved re-established after the turmoil of war.
Floodlights were erected in 1968 and were officially opened by Border Club Hawick in front of a record 3,500 spectators. These floodlights were extended to a second pitch in 1995 and during this period of improvement in the Club’s fortunes, many notable local players turned out and made their mark. Amongst these players were Stephen Bainbridge and Michael Skinner, who both played rugby many times for England.
Whilst success continued steadily, the Durham County Cup always alluded Blaydon until 1996 when David Guthrie lifted the trophy after Blaydon defeated Darlington 22 3 in the final. David is still Captain of Blaydon Rugby Football Club for a record ninth successive season.
The advent of Leagues, has given the Club the avenue to further improve its standing to its present position in National League 3 (North) and last season, we finished a creditable 8th.
It was as the County Cup Holders that the superb £1.2 million (Lottery Grant Aided) clubhouse was opened, appropriately by Messrs Bainbridge and Skinner on 19th October 1996. The Clubhouse has three function suites and a magnificent gymnasium, boasting 800 members and, along with the weekly nationally known Car Boot Sale, this has enabled Blaydon Rugby Football Club to stabilize and plan its financial future. Members of Blaydon Rugby Football aretruly proud of all these achievements and feel they are indeed geared up to move forward into the 21st century as a club that constantly looks to better itself.
