On the front row with Percy Park RFC

With five teams, a comprehensive junior setup and almost 150 years of experience and tradition, Percy Park is one of North Tyneside’s premier amateur rugby clubs. Wade Financial are delighted to be joining the scrum, lending its weight to another progressive club in the local community.

Founded in 1872, Percy Park has the distinction of being one of the oldest rugby clubs in the North East. The side has spent the majority of its 142 years playing on the pitches at Preston Avenue, home of Percy Park since 1896, and just a short walk from our offices on Howard Street.

Percy Park fostered a reputation as one of the region’s top amateur sides, playing the Barbarians on three occasions around the turn of the century and hosting the All Blacks for their game against Northumberland in 1905. Over the years, players such as Tot Robinson, Carston Catcheside and Don Rutherford went on to win caps at international level, some representing the Red Rose and others taking part in British & Irish Lions tours.

The North Shields-based club have a rich history, but have been making great strides towards a prosperous future. The youth system, developed from 1986 onwards via a trust set up by Tony Baker and Jack Pyle, introduces children as young as six to the sport, bringing them through the junior ranks via a structured and widely praised programme.

In addition to the three floodlit pitches and first-rate facilities, Percy Park also boasts a modern, stylish clubhouse on site, capable of accommodating up to 350 people, be it supporters on matchdays or guests at weddings, parties and corporate events. The clubhouse is also equipped with flat screen televisions, projectors, a PA system and a secure WiFi connection, making it the ideal venue for hosting conferences and meetings.

Percy Park’s professionalism and forward thinking on and off the field that drew the attention of Wade Financial, who, as sponsors of West Allotment Celtic F.C. and Coast Soccer, were eager to get behind another thriving club in the area.

“We’re thrilled to be serving as one of Percy Park RFC’s proud sponsors,” says financial planner Ian Little. “We are always keen to support local clubs that have an impact on the community, and their focus on junior development from such a young age can only inspire more kids to get in the game. We’re looking forward to our partnership with the club, and hope that it can prove beneficial over the next few years.”

The financial planning firm is showing its support to the club via a pitchside hoarding at Preston Avenue and an advertisement in the matchday programme. Keith Atkinson, President of Percy Park RFC, is thrilled with the linkup. “Percy Park RFC are delighted to team up with Wade Financial in giving young people of North Tyneside the opportunity and financial support to learn and play the game of rugby. Percy Park acknowledges that Wade Financial has a longstanding heritage in supporting local sport, and we are proud to have them as partners.”

Percy Park RFC’s first XV compete in North One East, and regularly compete on Saturday afternoons at 3pm (kick-off is pushed back to 2.15pm in the winter months). The Tyneside outfit won their first competitive fixture of the season on Saturday, defeating Alnwick 26-21 in the Northumberland Senior Cup. Percy Park will be confident of putting together a strong early run in the league, first at Guisborough this Saturday before playing host to Yorkshire side Morley the following weekend.

For the latest match reports, fixtures and results, visit www.percyparkrfc.co.uk.