The attached files are the club's current information regarding COVID-19. Please read to acquaint yourselves with our match day policy.

Sunderland RCA FC started life as Ryhope Youth Club. Its first season was in the Seaham and District League in 1963. The first game was against Seaham UDC at the Seaham CW ground, now home to Seaham Red Star, and it was a 3 - 3 draw. The first seeds had been sown three years earlier, in 1960, when the Ryhope Youth Club Centre opened in the Welfare Hall.

In 1965 the club moved to the Colliery Welfare ground and in 1971 changed its name to Ryhope Community Association. Competing in the Seaham, then Houghton and District Leagues, the club enjoyed success with eight cup wins and four league titles.

Rejected by the Wearside League because a Ryhope team already played in it, the club folded after the 1975-76 season. Re-formed three years later, the club joined the Northern Alliance in 1978 and won the League Challenge Cup at St James Park in Newcastle, in only their third season. Ryhope CA were also league runners up that year, even though they were reduced to playing on a school field.

After some persuasion, the ambitious club convinced the council to lease then some derelict land - Meadow Park was underway. Financial help was obtained from Sunderland and Tyne and Wear Councils and the Sports Council to build a football ground. The club members and community joined together to carry out the building work, resulting in the enclosed ground where football games are played and enjoyed today.

In 1982 the club was a founder member of the Northern League Second Division, achieving promotion as runner up in the 1983-84 season. Despite a league placing of tenth the next season, survival proved difficult and the club was relegated in 1988.

In 1999 a new era commenced with the amalgamation with Kennek Roker of the Wearside League to form Kennek Ryhope Community Association. The seasons from 2003 onwards were tough, but for the season 2006-07, the club joined forces with Springboard Sunderland and a new era as Sunderland RCA FC began.

Progress continues to be made both on and off the pitch and after finishing fourth in the previous two seasons Sunderland RCA FC were promoted as runners-up to Stokesley FC in season 2009-10 - a great achievement. Our first season back in Division 1 started badly, but we picked ourselves up, had a purple patch and finished the season in 13th place.

Progress continued in the following season when we achieved our highest finish in the league (4th) under the management of Neil Hixon. The following season saw us almost relegated and we only retained first division status after a vote at the AGM went in our favour. The introduction of Martin Swales as manager brought a renewed belief to the club and the 2015 - 16 season saw a great FA Vase run where we reached the 5th round proper before being beaten by Bristol Manor Farm. This was followed by a similar run in the 2016-17 season, exiting in the 5th round against Newport Pagnell. In the 2017-18 season the club equalled its highest Northern League placing, finishing fourth after a sensational late season surge, when the side played highly entertaining and incisive attacking football.

Acknowledgement

The club is very grateful to Joe Dixon for providing information about the early years of Sunderland RCA. Joe played for what was then Ryhope Youth Club and subsequently Ryhope Community Association from its first match in 1963 through to the 1978-79 season. Joe has turned from goal scorer to historian and a wealth of detail can be found on his web site – http://www.joedixon9.co.uk – about Joe’s playing days with RCA and other Sunderland and east Durham clubs.

Formed 1963

County affiliation Durham

First team plays in Northern League Division 1

Joined Northern League Season 1982 - 83

Colours Red/white striped Shirts, black shorts and red socks

Floodlights Yes

Midweek matches Tuesdays

Programme Yes

Website www.sunderlandrca.com

Record attendance 1,013 v Newcastle United FC 1982

Previous Leagues Wearside (as Kennek Roker) Seaham and District Houghton and District Northern Alliance 1978 - 1982

Names Ryhope Youth Club Ryhope Community Association, Kennek Ryhope CA - following amalgamation with Kennek Roker in 1999 Sunderland RCA FC - from 2006 - 07 season

Honours Northern League Division 2 Runners Up 1983 - 84 Northern Alliance Runners Up 1980 - 81 Northern Alliance Cup: 1980 – 81 Northern League Division 2 Runners Up 2009 - 10

Season	Division	P	W	D	L	F	A	Points	Position
1982-83	Two	30	14	6	10	61	55	45	5th
1983-84	Two	34	23	6	5	66	33	75	2nd
1984-85	One	34	13	6	15	49	55	45	10th
1985-86	One	38	13	7	18	50	69	46	15th
1986-87	One	38	11	9	18	47	64	42	14th
1987-88	One	38	5	10	23	40	89	25	19th
1988-89	Two	38	13	11	14	67	60	50	10th
1989-90	Two	38	14	6	18	68	67	48	11th
1990-91	Two	36	13	4	19	54	57	43	14th
1991-92	Two	38	17	5	16	77	59	56	10th
1992-93	Two	38	16	8	14	67	61	53	10th
1993-94	Two	36	7	3	26	37	94	18	18th
1994-95	Two	38	12	9	17	55	62	45	15th
1995-96	Two	36	6	5	25	40	83	23	17th
1996-97	Two	36	12	5	19	51	71	41	12th
1997-98	Two	36	12	10	14	60	63	46	13th
1998-99	Two	36	5	3	28	29	90	18	17th
1999-00	Two	36	9	7	20	49	70	34	16th
2000-01	Two	36	12	10	14	46	53	46	10th
2001-02	Two	38	17	8	13	65	47	59	10th
2002-03	Two	38	12	9	17	63	67	45	11th
2003-04	Two	38	15	8	15	65	55	53	9th
2004-05	Two	38	9	7	22	59	93	34	16th
2005-06	Two	38	5	13	20	41	76	28	17th
2006-07	Two	40	12	4	24	50	85	37*	19th
2007-08	Two	38	22	4	12	83	54	70	4th
2008-09	Two	38	21	8	9	88	46	71	4th
2009-10	Two	38	24	8	6	85	29	80	2nd
2010-11	One	42	15	6	21	67	80	51	13th
2011-12	One	42	27	7	8	106	54	88	4th
2012-13	One	46	12	8	26	62	103	41*	22nd
2013-14	One	44	12	8	24	60	93	44	19th
2014-15	One	42	13	8	21	66	87	47	16th
2015-16	One	42	15	9	18	73	89	54	13th
2016-17	One	42	16	9	17	85	79	57	11th
2017-18	One	42	24	7	11	96	54	79	4th
2018-19	One	34	19	4	11	69	47	61	5th
2019-20	One	30	12	5	13	50	59	41	**
2020-21	One	12	4	1	7	25	23	13	**

* Three points deducted
** Seasons aborted because of Covid-19 pandemic

Life Presidents:
Norman Taylor, Billy Mathieson, Ken Bradley, Graham Defty

Chairman:
Colin Wilson

Secretary:
Rob Jones

Management Committee:
David Hill, George McKitterick, Paul Bell, Marc Hopkinson, Ged Corolan, David Edler.

Manager:
David Dickson

Assistant Manager:
Callum Brown

Reserve Team Secretary:
Paul Bell

Reserve Team Managers:
John Burnikell  & Dominick Jones

 

Sadly, Ray Baines died on 29 August 2011.

Ray will always be remembered for his dedication to the cause with unbelievable effort and commitment.

Ray won the Barclays Spaces award for SRCA and had to make a decision on how to spend the £1,000 prize. "Well the club gets the £1,000 and the wife can have the extra bottle of champagne" - sums things up really - his wife sent the bottle straight to the club as well.

Ray was with the club since the 1970s and had done all the roles other than first team Manager. He helped lay the bricks for the main stand when it was built in the early eighties and he remained loyal to one football club only, when many disappeared. The Committee agreed that the stand should be named in his honour. Although it didn't help his health when the stand was unveiled - he certainly got a shock!

Having never missed more than a handful of Northern League games since 1982, Ray was a true SRCA supporter. Once, he was travelling as a co-pilot to Billy Todd, our Physio at the time, to an away match. Billy who was driving the car was unfortunate to have a serious collision and whilst in his own words, "trying to free himself from the steering wheel", looks across to check on old Ray who smiles and says "How we gonna get to the match now?" - sums up his passion to see the CA in action.

RCA 'Old Boys' Ernie Carlin and Joe Dixon at the Sunderland RCA v Dunston UTS match on 18 September 2010

Sunderland RCA FC started its life as Ryhope YC and was formed in 1963 playing its first ever season in the Seaham & District League.

The first seeds had been sown three years earlier, in 1960, when the Ryhope Youth Club Centre opened in the Welfare Hall. Although many activities took place there it did not take long before the highlight of the YC’s evenings was the five-a-side games. They became very competitive and in the summer of 1961 the youngsters started playing on the field behind the Ryhope Co-op, known as the ‘store’ field, and the five-a-sides soon became six and seven a side. Such was the enthusiasm shown and the numbers involved the youth club leader, Bill Bond, asked the youth club committee, if they would like him to arrange a game against another youth club. And yes they were up for it and a handful of games followed. They played with borrowed strips along with goal posts from the ‘Bluebell’ pub and sawdust from the Ryhope Co-op to mark out the lines. Sometimes the lines resembled a straight line, but it did not matter; they were enjoying themselves. There was obviously nothing official about these games, but that did not stop them from being very competitive.

In the following summer, 1962, Bill Bond put the idea to the youth club committee about forming a team to play in the Hetton Junior League. Despite some players having already committed themselves to another junior side it was agreed and Ryhope YC Juniors was formed and played its home games at the Ryhope CW ground.

At the end of the Juniors first season, 1963, some of the YC players, as well as youth club members who had played for other sides, were no longer eligible to play in the Hetton Junior League. Again it was Bill Bond who suggested forming a senior team. It was agreed, but before it was formed a few of these players, having been approached by other clubs, were no longer available. However, despite a potentially very small squad, Bill with great support from Arthur Crago, Ernie Carlin, Jack Hedley and from the youth club committee which included Joe Dixon, Terry Brace and Ray Swansbury formed the Ryhope YC Football Club which is now known as Sunderland RCA.

The club’s first season was particularly difficult. There were not enough senior Youth Club members available and it was difficult to attract other players when all games had to be played on opponents’ grounds. It did start off ok as its first ever game was a 3-3 draw against Seaham UDC with two goals being scored by Joe Dixon whose last game for club was in 1979. However towards the end of this season Bill Bond indicated that, with the team up and running, his job was done and it was time for him to step back, concentrate on the Youth Club Centre, and leave it in the hands of the players.

With Bill stepping back there was a distinct possibility that the club could fold. Thankfully two players, Billy Anderson and Norman T Taylor, from the juniors joined the team and immediately took on the responsibility of the secretary‘s job, recruiting players as well as playing. The club survived and Billy and Norman went on to serve the club, in many capacities, until 1992 and 1999 respectively.

At the start of its 3rd season, 1965/1966, the Ryhope CW ground became available, as the junior team had folded, and this became the club’s home ground.

The following season, 1966/67, Jimmy Clark was brought in as player-manager and with a settled committee the club became a lot more organised. His experience and football knowledge on and off the field helped speed up the team’s improvement. In particular two players, Brian Page and Harry Clark joined the club and in their first full season, 1968/69, helped bring the club its first success.

In seven seasons the club had the following phenomenal success. During this period they joined the Houghton & District League for the 1970/71 season and for the start of the 1971/72 season, the club changed its name to Ryhope CA.

1968/1969	Seaham & District League	League	Champions
		League Cup	Winners
		Leukaemia Charity Cup	Winners
1969/1970	Seaham & District League	League	Champions
		Seaham Aged Miners Cup	Winners
		Houghton Blind Institute Cup	Winners
		Leukaemia Charity Cup	Runners Up
1971/1972	Houghton & District League	League	Runners Up
		Houghton Blind Institute Cup	Winners
		Seaham Aged Miners	Winners
1972/1973	Houghton & District League	League	Champions
		Durham Hospitals Cup	Winners
		League Cup	Runners Up
		Easington Aged Miners Cup	Runners Up
1973/1974	Houghton & District League	League	Runners Up
		Houghton Blind Institute Cup	Winners
1974/1975	Houghton & District League	League	Champions

While in the Seaham & District League the following players brought honours to the club.

Joe Dixon (Captain), Brian Page, Harry Clark and Ernie Carlin (Trainer) represented the League on three occasions in the 1968/69 and 1969/70 seasons.

Harry Orrell, Dennis Duggan, John Teasdale, Trevor Campbell and Ronnie Young represented the League on two occasions in the 1969/70 season.

Jimmy Clark represented the League in the 1968/69 season.

After the 1974/75 season, in order to progress further, the club resigned from the Houghton and District league, as was the rule, in order to apply for membership to the Wearside league. Unfortunately the application was turned down and then the Houghton league refused to readmit the club. The club then folded for three seasons and in the process lost its home ground. It also proved to be the last season, as players, for Norman T Taylor (1964-1975) and Harry Clark (1967-1975).

The club reformed for the 1978/1979 season and played in the Northern Alliance league. All home games were played on the old Ryhope Grammar School field which was next to the clubs Meadow Park ground. This proved to be the last season for Joe Dixon (1963-1979), Brian Page (1968-1979), Bobby Pickering (1971-1979) and Billy Mitchell (1971-1979).

RCA’s first success in the Northern Alliance League was in the 1980/1981 season when they won the League Cup and were League RU.

As the school field could never be a permanent home ground the committee showed there continuing ambition for the club by persuading the Council to lease them some derelict land, now Meadow Park. Financial help was obtained from Sunderland and Tyne & Wear Councils as well as the Sports Council. This only covered part of the expense and the rest was all hands on. The ground, which met the high standards set by the Northern League, was an outstanding achievement. The clubs committee:-

Billy Anderson, Kevin Brace, Terry Brace, Ernie Carlin, Harry Clark, Jimmy Clark, Dave Hall, Norman T Taylor, and new member Ray Baines, made it all possible.

In 1982 RCA became a founder member of the Northern League Second Division and achieved promotion to the First Division, by finishing runner up, in only its second season. They remained in this division until 1988. Its best finish was a very creditable 10th in the 1984/1985 season.

Early in the 1985/1986 season Jimmy Clark stood down as manager having joined the club as player- manager back in 1966. He was manager in every success the club had and only missed one season, 1970/1971, through work commitments. Without this success on the field the club would not have progressed to its present position. Coach Harry Clark, no relation, took on the role of manager to ensure the club retained its First Division status.

In 1999 a new era commenced with the amalgamation with Kennek Roker, of the Wearside League, to form Kennek Ryhope CA. The seasons from 2003 onwards were tough but for the 2006/2007 season the club joined forces with Springboard Sunderland and a new era as Sunderland RCA began. All the hard work has been rewarded with the teams return to the First Division for the 2010/2011 season.

Looking back its worth remembering the efforts and long service of the management and players who helped progress the club. Without these people it is very unlikely that Ryhope would have a team playing in the Northern League today. The days of every game being played on opponents grounds, only having public transport available, players washing their own strips, clearing thick snow to make the pitch playable etc. are now long gone.

Longest Serving Management

Norman T Taylor	1964 to 1999	Player, Secretary, Press Officer, Chairman
Billy Anderson	1964 to 1992	Player, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chairman
Terry Brace	1963 to 1990	Player, Trainer, Treasurer, Chairman, Electrician
Ernie Carlin	1965 to 1989	Trainer, Manager, Treasurer,  Chairman
Jimmy Clark	1966 to 1985	Player-Manager, Manager, Chairman
Joe Dixon	1963 to 1979	Player, Secretary
Kevin Brace	1970 to 1984	Treasurer

Longest Serving Players

Joe Dixon
Played from 1963/64 until 1978/79 with approximately 410 appearances
Scored approx 510 goals, with 85 scored in the 1972/73 season
Scored 7 in a game in both the 1969/1970 and 1972/73 seasons

Norman T Taylor
Played from 1964/65 until 1974/75 with approximately 410 appearances

Brian Page
Played from 1968/69 until 1978/79 with approximately 330 appearances
Club Captain from 1969/70 until 1978/79

Harry Clark
Played from 1967/68 until 1974/75 with approximately 330 appearances
Went on to coach and manage the team

Billy Anderson
Played from 1964/65 until 1971/72 with approximately 160 appearances
Appearances curtailed due to dual role of player/secretary

Harry Orrell
Played from 1964/65 until 1970/71 with approximately 240 appearances
Club Captain from 1964/65 until 1968/69

Billy Mitchell
Played from 1971/72 until 1978/79 with approximately 220 appearances

Bobby Pickering
Played from 1971/72 until 1978/79 with approximately 220 appearances