By Andrew Stanton
It was a time of change for NURL in 04/05 with the announcement of Rob Spurr as head coach, taking over the reigns for long time servant Rob Jones.
The year saw Newcastle make a promising start to the league with a fantastic 1st day away win at Liverpool Hope University, with a number of first year debutants which would later go on to form the nucleus of the squad for the next couple of years; players such as James Allen, Andy Stanton, Allan Howe, Ollie O’Mara and others. Graham Stephenson and newly appointed captain Mark ‘The Yorkshire Terrier’ Shaw were stand outs in an impressive away victory. The team was filled with experienced players who complimented the freshers suberbly, stalwarts such as Thomas Callighan, Rob Picken, Alan Robinson, Colin Lunn and David Brocklebank.
The second half of the season wasn’t as fruitful due to the squad being decimated with injuries which saw players out of position and inexperienced boys brought in to fill gaps. Despite this, NURL finished in the playoffs places but succumbed to a well drilled Edgehill team who seemed to a have an endless amount of subs!
The year also brought some representative honours for some of the Uni lads. Graham Stephenson, Colin Lunn, Alan Robinson and Rob Picken were selected for the North East Regional team. Robinson later went on to captain the GB students team. The season saw Graham Stephenson getting some recognition for his excellent performances with Gateshead Thunder signing the fullback for their National League 2 season.
NURL suffered with a big loss of experienced players during the 05/06 campaign and had to rely on a combination of 2nd years and inexperienced Freshers. The club were glad to welcome back talented half back Jon Farrell ‘Faz’ and Michael Greaves. NURL’s league form suffered as a result of the massive out goings which led to a winless season in the Northern Premier.
Wins did come in the shape of the Stan Calvert match (where Northumbria were decimated at Bullocksteads) and a short run in the end of season Plate. North East students representations were bestowed on Allan Howe and Colin Lunn respectively.
The year also witnessed the first ever NURL match decided by ‘Paper, scissors and stone’! After repeated cancellations for the Plate match against Bradford University, the two captains had to settle the match using the unconventional method. Thankfully and amazingly Greavsey outwitted the Bradford skipper to clinch the tie.