Key run in dates for Under 18s

8 April 2009

Club Chairman Owen Haley's Under 18s have been having an excellent season. Can they turn it into a great one? Here are the keys dates for the remaining fixtures.

1:30 PM Saturday 11 April - Willington League - Home
1:30 PM Saturday 25 April - Willington League - Away
6:30 PM Monday 27 April - Walker or Chester - Eye Infirmary Cup Semi - Away
6:30 PM Wednesday 29 April - Gateshead Redheugh - League Semi - Away
6:30 PM Tuesday 5 May RCA - New Hartley - County Cup Final - at Harton and Westoe

Get along and support the lads!

Over 10,000 web site page views in the last month!

24 March 2009

We thought that RCA fans might be interested in some impressive statistics for the club web site.

For the period 21 February to 23 March our web site, not including the Fans Forum, had 3,460 visits, of which 22.66% were new, and 10,108 page views. The visits were from 1,024 unique visitors. The average time on the site is 2 minutes and 40 seconds. We've got quite a low 'bounce rate' - people landing on the site and simply going after looking at one page - of 14%.

The most popular page is the home page followed by fans, reports and matches

Here's a snapshot from the main usage report summarising the information.

Sunderland RCA are quite international! Obviously the majority of visits (3,378 out of 3,460 for the month) are from the UK, but we have had 'non-bounce' vists from France, Ireland, Australia. In total, we have had visits from 21 countries.

Less exotic, but more significant, is our spread of vsists in the UK - in the last month 3,378 visits from 119 locations. The map below shows the spread.

Here are the top eight locations for the visits in the surveyed month:

Sportsman's Dinner and Presentation Night - new date

23 March 2009

At last a new date for your diary! The club have got their end of season sportsman's dinner night changed to:

Thursday, 14 May

at the

Barnes Hotel.

This will also be the presentation evening for the First Team. It will be the usual format, three course dinner, speaker, comedian and raffles, auction etc. One thing that is confirmed is the football guest speaker, who is Kenny Burns, the legendary hardman at the heart of the Forest defence in their European Cup winning glory days, the comedia, Seth Shildon and Maxi Peters as compere. Tickets will be available soon.

RCA are going to the dogs

7 January 2009

The club has 100 tickets for a fundraising night at Sunderland dogs at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, 28 of January. Tickets cost just £5.00 and include admission, racecard, drink and food vouchers. A bargain and all the ticket price comes to the club, while the track relies on you blowing your brains out on the Tote. Good idea.

Always a good night out, we will have a good turn out of players, officials, members, fans, mams and dads etc, unless we get a last minute game for the same night of course.

Tickets from the Secretary or any committee member, you know it makes sense...

Thank you Graham

22 December 2008

Before the kick off of our match against North Shields, Northern Leagus Chairman, Mike Amos, made a presentation to Graham Defty, in a small token of thanks for his many services to football.

Graham turned a very young looking 65 the earlier this month, and for over fifty years has given his all to the game. He could have been a pro with Cardiff City, back in the days when Cardiff City meant giants of the game like John Charles and Ivor Allchurch, but like many in those days decided that the security of completing his apprenticeship was more important. He came back to the North East and captained Spennymoor through their glory days of the sixties, and still enjoys legendary status in the town, as anybody who has been with him at a Spennymoor game can confirm.

After retiring as a player he committed himself to non league football, and has worked tirelessly for every club, and there have been a few, with which he has been involved. Steels, Whickham, Willington and Blue Star amongst several others enjoyed his services, but for the past fifteen or more years it has been Roker FC in the Wearside League and, since the merger of the clubs, Ryhope Kennek FC, now Sunderland RCA FC, in the Northern League who have been fortunate to have Graham on board.

It is simply no exaggeration to say that without Graham Sunderland RCA would very likely not exist. Behind the scenes he looks after the ground, the clubhouse and the pitch, and organises just about everything that needs organising, and even though his active management days ended some time back, on more than a few occasions he has stepped into the breach and picked up the on field reins as well. It is a pleasure to know and work with him.

All at Sunderland RCA and throughout the local game wish Graham and his saintly and ever supportive wife Joan well for the future, since we can hardly call it a retirement, and look forward to many more years. A belated happy birthday, and thanks for everything, Graham.

Email from Dennis Dugan

November 2008

Colin Wilson, SRCA Secretary got this mail from Dennis Duggan, who played for RCA in the 60s and 70s.

Dear Secretary

I played with RCA in the late 60s early 70s as a goalkeeper for a number of seasons, to this day I still think it was the best team I have ever seen, they were all exceptional players. I see that one of your past presidents of the club was a guy who to me was the back bone of the club, he did everything from washing the strips to picking the team, he was always on the lookout for top players which he always seem to get. I wonder if he is still knocking about as I would love to talk to him about the old times. I live in Australia now but I am still a Sunderland boy at heart. His Name was Norman Taylor.

Yours in sport

Dennis Dugan

If you can help, please email Tim Robinson and he will pass on any information.

Over to you: match reports go interactive

19 September 2008

Starting from the League Cup match at Northallerton our SRCA match reports have gone interactive. At the end of each report you'll find a simple form where you can write and submit your comments. You also need to write in your name and email address. Once we receive your comment we will send you an email to confirm it. When you reply to this we will publish your comment, along with your name, below the offical match report. (This is a human, not a machine process, which will not happen instantly.)

Please note that we may edit comments or decline to publish them.

We will not publish your email address or pass it on to third parties.

The FA Vase

19 September 2008

Following Wednesday night's League Cup defeat away to Northallerton Town, Sunderland RCA hope to be back to full strength for the FA Vase visit to West Auckland. Manager Neil Hixon rested several key players for the Northallerton game, and gave debuts to David Tait, Michael Chapman and Michael Laidler, with both Tait and Chapman scoring in an entertaining game. The debutants all did well, but Hixon will be hoping to have Andy Jennings, David Lee, Paddy Little, Glen Moan and Keith Graydon among others back in contention for the trip to West Auckland for what should be a good game. Club Secretary Colin Wilson said "The national FA competitions haven't exactly been lucky for us in the past couple of years, so hopefully we can have a little Vase run this season to compensate."

Focus on the Under 18s

8 September 2008

On the eve of the trip to York City, club Chairman Owen Haley beings us up to date with progress for the Under 18s.

It’s certainly been lively on the SRCA youth front and there have been extended numbers enjoying the pre-season build up and looking to break into our Under 18 side.

At least 35 players have put pen to paper and fancy their chances of making the grade, the hard part for Colin Stokoe and myself is picking the team, as there are at least two players for every position. I for one though am not complaining as last season was a big struggle and we certainly don’t want to be repeating that league position of occupying bottom. The only way is up!

The Durham pre-season tournament in August went better than expected, although we did lose out to Ryhope CW in the semi final in a very close game – the score line was 2-3. However that shows our progress as last year we were not nearly as close in league encounters, as our neighbours easily won home and away matches.

A few scouts have been watching developments in recent weeks and the management team welcomed the news that Ryan Graham (who sat on the first team bench as goalkeeping cover in pre-season) and centre forward Luke Page were selected for DFA County trials this week. Midfielder Marc Moon was also having a trial with Carlisle United on Wednesday.

A couple of weeks ago I was disappointed for SRCA, but pleased for the lad, to hear the news that our very promising midfielder Callum Charlton was to sign for Airdrie United. However that was short lived as a further call was again received this week that he had a change of mind and was back with us. The boy is obviously enjoying his football here at Meadow Park.

Our only league match played to date was away at Chester-le-Street a couple of weeks ago when we were defeated 3 – 0. Whilst on paper that looks like a mauling, all in attendance will tell a different story as we ran one of the strongest teams in the North East Youth scene very close. Chester-le-Street had an excellent run a couple of seasons ago in the FA Youth Cup eventually going out at West Ham in the very late stages of the competition. Keep an eye out for them again this season as they have a very talented squad.

But back to us, as this week we prepare for our forthcoming tie at York City on Tuesday 9th September at the Kit Kat Stadium with a 7.30 PM KO. A very tough game obviously, but what a life experience for some of our young lads. I cant wait as well!

Alas the game coincides with the first team’s home match tonight against Esh Winning so the SRCA numbers travelling to York might be limited. But who knows a possible double celebration and if it does happen the Defty’s Diner Meadow Park will have to stay open for our return.

Newton Moor Durham County Challenge Cup

5 September 2008

Sunderland RCA will play Jarrow FC in the Newton Moor Durham County Challenge Cup on Saturday, 27 September. Please note that the kick off will be at 2:00 PM and this is an away fixture. Our Northern League match away to Norton and Stockton Ancients has been postponed.

Hello, welcome back and good bye

4 September 2008

We welcome David Lee, a left sided midfield player, who joins us from Ryton and welcome back Lee Owens who returns to the club after a short break. Lee scored nine goals for RCA last season.

Jon Newton, a forward who scored six goals for RCA last season has left us to join Markse United. Dean Arkley's second spell at Meadow Park has been a short one as he moves to Shildon. We wish Jon and Dean well.

Ins and outs

29 August 2008

We welcome Patrick Little and Neil Moan who have joined Sunderland RCA from Sunderland Nissan and Jarrow Roofing respectively.

Ash Davis and Darren Casson have both moved to South Shields. Last season Ash made 28 league and five cup appearances for RCA and scored three goals.

Just the ticket

27 August 2008

Sunderland RCA stalwart supporter Will Frater made history over the August Bank Holiday weekend, when he became the club's first ever season ticket holder. His gold season ticket card, numbered 001, will no doubt become an exceedingly valuable piece of memorabilia in years to come.

If you want to join Will and show your commitment to the RCA project, it will cost you only £50.00, which includes your membership for the season. Season tickets and memberships are available from the Secretary, Colin Wilson.

Newton Moor Durham County Challenge Cup

21 August 2008

We have been drawn away to Jarrow FC of the Wearside League in the Durhan County Challenge Cup. The Durham FA web site says:

"Preliminary Round Saturday 27th September 2008.

"There are NO replays in this competition Midweek fixtures are to kick off at 7.30pm and Saturday fixtures at 2.00pm.

"Clubs/Officials need to be aware that these fixtures will be played the week preceding if the HOME team has floodlights which are within FA Regulations."

So, either of our sNL fixtures, away against Norton and Stockton Ancients or the home against Esh Winning on Tuesday, 23 may be affected depending on the floodlight situation.

Football Echo

18 August 2008

Look out for the regular feature on RCA in the Football Echo, and find out what the players really think.

Season tickets now available!

18 August 2008

Due to overwhelming demand, from Will, season tickets for Sunderland RCA are now available. Only £50.00, includes free admission to all games at Meadow Park and free membership with all the benefits. See Colin or Graham for details.

New Teams at the Club

18 August 2008

For this season we are taking our next steps in improving the club by having under 16 and under 21 teams to support the existing first, under 18 and Sunday teams. They can't all play at Meadow Park obviously but as a move to making a real community club this is important. watch future programmes, or look at our website, www.sunderlandrca.co.uk, for more information on the junior teams, and of course Millfield St Joseph's, our sister club for 10 to 15 age group football.

Ground Improvements at Meadow Park

18 August 2008

Secretary Colin Wilson writes on the current state of play for ground improvements

Lots of people have been asking about this, so I thought I would bring everybody up to date with the current state of play. As you know we have plans drawn up for a new clubhouse, but need to agree a new lease with the council before we can raise the money to do this, and as usual negotiations with the Council are very slow. To be fair to our municipal friends, in the meantime we have received a welcome grant this summer from the Council towards work on improving our current facilities, which I hope you will all appreciate. The new gents toilets, complete with proper WC's and hot water are the biggest sign of work, as well as the much improved ladies toilets, new heaters in the clubhouse, and new showers and heaters for players and officials. Not to mention the fetching green fence! And in the next few weeks we hope to build Ronnie a new gatehouse so he doesn't get cold and wet taking the gate money. Only small steps I know, but all in the right direction. We already think Meadow Park is a proper little ground, and we want to make it even better for everyone who comes to the games. Enjoy the new facilities and watch this space!

Kevin Ball kicks off Gentoo charity match

10 August 2008

Gentoo's partnership with Sunderland RCA FC already supports in the involvement of over 150 young people in football, but the housing group's commitment to make a difference does not stop there.

Fans' favourite and former Sunderland AFC captain Kevin Ball kicked off today's charity match at Meadow Park between a Gentoo X1 and The Royalty Over 40s. The funds raised by the match and supporting activities are to go towards buying electronic scooters for pupils at Sunningdale School.

Here are some more snaps from the match.

Kevin Ball, Adam Dawson and Adam's carer Dennis Brown take a break
in the club house

Action from the match

After turning on the style on Saturday against Prudhoe in the Northern League, Gentoo employee Adam McGuiness
has his boots on again.

More action from the Gentoo charity match.

It's always a pleasure to see Kevin Ball at Meadow Park. He's a great ambassador for Sunderland AFC and the City. RCA fans will remember that Kevin Ball's son, Luke, played at right back after manager Neil Hixon arrived at Meadow Park. Unfortunately it was not long before Luke picked up a serious ankle injury. The good news is that Luke is well on the mend and enjoying his football again. Everyone at the club sends Luke their best wishes.

Kevin Ball to kick off Gentoo Charity Football Match

8 August 2008

On Sunday, 10 August at 12:00 at Meadow Park, Kevin Ball will kick off a charity match between a Gentoo 11 and The Royalty Over 40s. The gates open at 11:00 and it's fuin for all the family with a bouncy castle, Hook-a-Duck, Face Painting, a raffle and football activities.

The fun and the football - a keen, competetive match is expected - are all in a very good cause. The money raised will go towards buying electroinic scooters for pupils at Sunningdale School.

Under 21s

30 July 2008

We are delighted to announce that we will have an Under-21 team for this coming season, managed by Ian Borthwick in the Russell Foster Under-21 League.

Jon Winlow wins first RCA Golf Championship

30 July 2008

The Sunderland RCA Golf Championship 2008 was won by Jonathan Winlow, a stalwart in defence for the RCA Sunday team, with an excellent score of 39 stableford points, playing off a handicap of 18.

There was a full display of golf talent, not to mention some disgraceful attire, on show at Wearside Golf Club on the 4th July when 18 club members fought it out for the first ever Sunderland RCA Golf title, and the handsome trophy that went with the glory.

A few dark horses, including manager Hicker and Keith Graydon, had been spotted getting in some sneaky practise, Andy looked like he had played before,h and there were the usual claims of outrageous handicaps. Half the field should have been playing in skirts off the ladies tees, but never mind, a genuine handicapper won the day.

The three ball of Rasher, Ando and Ozo was the loudest and provided the most entertainment, with two members of the team too ashamed to publicise their scores when they got back in, but the team prize was well won by Sean Davison, Paul Davison and Gary Cheal, from our partners Springboard Sunderland Trust, with a team score of 79.

Many thanks to Wearside Golf Club for being brave enough to let this motley crew loose on the course, and congratulations to the winners; this will definitely be an annual event from now on, get those clubs out!

Presentation Night - picture special

3 July 2008

Thanks to Denise Wilson who took her camera along to the Sunderland RCA 2007/08 season presentaion night...

Craig Sheilds receives Andy Jennings' Golden Boot Award from ageless maestro George Herd.

Gary Shields receives Paul Sammons' Player of the Year Award from gorgeous Gentoo representative Elaine Murray.

A Wayne Henderson double! Wayne receives his Players' and Fans' Player of the Year Awards from corned beef pie supremo Derek - the Fox - Winlow of The Promenade.

Andy Middleton collects Nathan Johnson's Young Player of the Year Award from Derek Winlow.

Golf Day

10 June 2008

Make sure you sign up for the Sunderland RCA Golf day - there are only 48 places for this major event!

It's on Friday, 4 July at Wearside Golf Club, with tees from 1:45 to 3:45. Play will be followed by a meal and prize giving.

This is a three balls, individual Stableford Competition for the "Sunderland RCA FC Club Championship", plus a three man team competition as well. Entry fee including green fees, meal and prizes to be announced shortly, but very, very reasonable....

Further details from the secretary.

Presentation Night

10 June 2008

The 2007-08 Sunderland RCA Presentation Night has been arranged for:

Saturday, 28 June from 7:30 PM

at the:

Kings Arms, Deptford

Buffet, music and dancing will follow the presentations for:

• Manager's Player of the Season
• Fans' Player of the Season
• Leading Goal Scorer

A great night beckons, so be there and buy the secretary a pint!

Dinner and Presentation Night

Upate 28 May 2008

Our Sportsman's Dinner, which had been arranged for Wednesday, 4th June at 7:30 PM at the Roker Hotel, has had to be postponed. We expect to hold it in the autumn.

We apologise for the disappointment and any inconvenience caused.