Wearside RFC join Sunderland RFC

Following recent discussions between the Wearside and Sunderland clubs, Wearside will next season join Sunderland RFC. Wearside, who have for a number of years battled bravely to keep their club afloat, approached the Ashbrooke side following their end of season meeting, when a clear majority of players expressed the view that in the interests of the club and rugby in general in Sunderland that they wished to move to their near neighbours at Ashbrooke. Keith Wallace, President of Wearside and Andy Kyle Chairman of Sunderland held lengthy and full discussions about the move, which was ratified at the Sunderland RFC AGM last night.

Keith Wallace said " We have endeavoured for many years to keep the name of Wearside going in local rugby and we believed that we would be able to keep going for some time yet but because we have not been bringing in the youngsters we would like to and the fact that we had to move base last year, the numbers of committed players have been dwindling. Those players who have wanted to play week in week out have decided that the best way of guaranteeing this was to join the Sunderland club. We have a proud history going back over 50 years to when we were Belford House when we fielded 4 senior sides and 2 colts sides, winning the Durham Junior Cup on 2 occasions but times change and we look forward to making our players available for Sunderland next season. The committed players are all positive about the move being the best option at this time and are looking forward to playing at Ashbrooke. Naturally we are sad at the demise of the club but unfortunately this is happening all over the country as there is not the number of youngsters taking up this wonderful sport as they did in the past."

Wearside players will now play in Sunderland colours, a prospect that many had said would never happen but relations between the two clubs have steadily improved in recent years with Sunderland providing fixtures for Wearside and Wearside assisting Sunderland at various times. An example of this improved liaison between the two clubs was the recent Ashbrooke touring side to Prague at Easter which was complimented by a large group of Wearside players who took part in the matches.

Sunderland Chairman Andy Kyle said " We are sorry that Wearside will not be playing as a club in the future but we are delighted that their players have decided to join us next season. During our discussions we covered many issues and selection concerns were amongst them but we made our view clear that all players will be picked strictly on merit. We also have indicated that we would make provision for some of the Belford House and Wearside rugby memorabilia to be displayed at Ashbrooke. We are confident that very quickly the newcomers will be fully integrated into the club. Clearly with about a dozen or more players, who are keen to play week in week out joining us, we will need to run five senior sides every Saturday next season with 1sts, 2nds, 3rds, 4ths and Under 21s all playing. This will put us at the forefront, in terms of playing numbers, in the whole of the North East with only a couple of clubs capable at fielding such strength in depth.Discussions guaranteeing fixtures for all the teams are well underway and we hope to start the new season with a full fixture card. We are keeping on the pitch that Wearside use at Fulwell Quarry, as availability of grounds has been a real concern for us in recent seasons. The old season has just finished but with this move by Wearside, plans for next season are now well under way! "