Sunderland RCA FC Club information - Revision: 07 Personnel Life Presidents: Ray Baines, Norman Taylor, Billy Mathieson, Ken Bradley Chairman: Owen Haley Secretary: Colin Wilson Management Committee: Ronnie Collinson, Graham Defty, Les Dodd, John McClements, Tim Robinson Manager: Neil Hixon Sunday Secretary: Ian Ferguson Sunday Manager: Ray Hartley Junior Manager: Owen Haley Club history Formed in 1961 as Ryhope Youth Club, the team played friendly games in its first season on the 'store field, behind the local Co-op. After reaching the age of 18, the founder players formed a senior team and entered the Seaham and District League, playing all of that season's games on opponents' grounds. The following year the club moved to the Colliery Welfare ground, changing its name to Ryhope Community and for the next six seasons enjoyed almost unequalled success. Competing in the Seaham, then Houghton and Distinct League, the side won a total of 18 cups and several league titles. Rejected by the Wearside League because a Ryhope team already played in it, the club joined the Northern Alliance League in 1978 and won the League Challenge Cup at St James Park in Newcastle, in only their third season. Ryhope Community were also League runners up that year, even through 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 achieving 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 have been tough, but for the season 2006-07, the club joined forces with Springboard Sunderland and a new era as Sunderland RCA FC began. Key information Formed 1961 County affiliation Durham First team plays in Arngrove Northern League Division 2 Joined Northern League Season 1982 - 83 Colours Red and white halves shirt, black shorts and red socks Floodlights Yes Midweek matches Tuesday Programme Yes Website www.sunderlandrca.co.uk Record attendance 1,000 + v Newcastle United FC 1985 Previous Leagues Wearside 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 League record Season Div P W D L F A Pts 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 * Three points deducted