The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. The team plays at Kingston Park in Newcastle upon Tyne.

History

The original Gosforth Club was founded in 1877, playing the green and white hoops of Durham School as many members were ex-pupils. In 1955 when they moved to the new ground at the North Road which was to be their home until 1990. During that time and particularly in the late 1970s Gosforth enjoyed tremendous success both on and off the field winning the John Player Cup in seasons 1975/76 and 76/77.

Gosforth supplied innumerable players to all counties over the years, to the north of England sides and to the full International and British Lions teams. These include Arthur Smith, Ray Mcloughlin, Malcolm Young, Roger Uttley, Peter Dixon, Duncan Madsen, Dave Robinson, Richard Breakey, Jim Pollock and Colin White.

In 1990 the club name was changed to Newcastle Gosforth . Gosforth Rugby Club also continued as an amateur side working in partnership with the University of Northumbria.

The "Falcons" title was taken on board during the 1990s when local businessman Sir John Hall took control and attempted to emulate the success of the Barcelona sporting club in Newcastle upon Tyne. The four teams that made up the sporting club were the football team, nicknamed the Magpies, the Newcastle Eagles basketball team, the Newcastle Wasps (later Riverkings, Jokers, Vipers etc.) Ice Hockey Team and the Newcastle Falcons rugby team.

Jonny Wilkinson plays in position 10 for the team. In 2004 the team gained former Australian international, Matt Burke who plays as starting fullback for the team.

Club honours

• Allied Dunbar Premiership 1997/98

• John Player Cup / Powergen Cup 1976 1977 2001 2004

Current England elite squad

• Jamie Noon
• Jonny Wilkinson
• Mathew Tait

Other Internationals

• Gary Armstrong (Scotland)
• Matt Burke (Australia)
• Colin Charvis (Wales)
• Stuart Grimes (Scotland)
• Doddie Weir (Scotland)

External link

• Official site
• Datas, Results and others about Newcastle (in English and in French)

The National Basketball League in Australia also had a team called the Newcastle Falcons, based in the New South Wales city. The Falcons competed in 21 NBL seasons from 1979 to 1999. The club never won a championship and folded due to financial difficulties after a major sponsor went bankrupt.