By Monkey1
July 1 2012

 At long last we know where we stand for next season and can get on with it. Things can only be good with Semore and Deano calling the shots, so let’s see what sort of season we have to look forward to. 

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We will have the biggest budget in the Championship, so we have to be honest and admit from the start that we are entering the Championship with what looks like an unfair advantage. Expectations will be high, but the competition should not be underestimated. There are some strong teams, and every one of them will be itching to make us pay for any arrogance. They will all be out to beat us, keen to make us suffer, and rightly so. On paper it looks like we should walk it, but opposition teams won’t give a stuff about that, it will not be an easy ride.

Deano set a target when in the same position with Quins that they shouldn’t lose a single game, and I am sure he will be doing the same this season. They did lose one however, to Exeter if I remember right, so saying it is much easier than getting the results. The policy at Newcastle Falcons for next season is very simple – winning rugby. This has been the mantra ever since Deano agreed to take on the challenge, that is all he is interested in – winning rugby. That is what next season is geared towards and carries on from the excellent work laid down by Gary Gold & Mike Ford. Championship or Premiership makes no difference, the target remains the same, to get this club winning.

The opposition have a very big advantage however, and that is knowing championship rugby well, and it is quite different from what we have been used to. The sort of defensive games that we have been used to would bore the backsides off championship supporters even more than they bored us. There is much more creativity, it is an attacking game rather than played to limited game plans, and as a consequence it is a much better spectator sport. Prepare for a season of proper rugby. Expect to see more tries scored in games of heads up rugby, more running from deep, less of the tiresome ping pong. Last Christmas we took a Blues supporter along to KP to watch a game, he summed up the difference between championship & premiership rugby very simply – it is less stodgy.

The season itself is revised slightly from the insane structure of last season, where nearly every club had a crack at the play-offs. This season only the top four go through to play two legged semi-finals, then a two-legged final. There is also the British & Irish cup which comprises twelve teams from the Championship, six from Wales, three from Ireland and three from Scotland. We are in Pool 4 with Connacht, Newport and Cross Keys, and for those not familiar with Cross Keys they are just a few miles up the road from Newport. A trip to Galway to see Connacht is a must, a cracking rugby ground and a lovely town to spend a few days in.

Our provisional fixture list shapes up like this:

September 2^nd Bristol Rugby v Newcastle Falcons

September 8^th London Scottish v Newcastle Falcons

September 14^th Newcastle Falcons v Doncaster Knights

September 23rd Cornish Pirates v Newcastle Falcons

September 28^th Newcastle Falcons v Leeds Carnegie

October 6^th Moseley v Newcastle Falcons

October 14^th B&I Cup 1, Newcastle Falcons v Cross Keys

October 20^th/21^st B&I Cup 2, Connacht v Newcastle Falcons

October 26^th Newcastle Falcons v Rotherham Titans

November 3^rd Bedford Blues v Newcastle Falcons

November 9^th Newcastle Falcons v Nottingham RFC

November 24^th Jersey RFC v Newcastle Falcons

November 30th Newcastle Falcons v Plymouth Albion

December 9^th B&I Cup 3, Newcastle Falcons v Newport

December 15^th/16^th B&I Cup 4, Newport v Newcastle Falcons

December 23rd Newcastle Falcons v London Scottish

January 1st Doncaster Knights v Newcastle Falcons

January 13^th B&I Cup 5, Newcastle Falcons v Connact

January 19^th/20^th B&I Cup 6, Cross Keys v Newcastle Falcons

January 25^th Newcastle Falcons v Cornish Pirates

February 9^th/10th Leeds Carnegie v Newcastle Falcons

February 15^th Newcastle Falcons v Moseley

March 2^nd Rotherham Titans v Newcastle Falcons

March 8^th Newcastle Falcons v Bedford Blues

March 22^nd Nottingham Rugby v Newcastle Falcons

March 29^th Newcastle Falcons v Jersey RFC

April 6^th/7^th B&I Cup quarter-finals

April 13^th Plymouth Albion v Newcastle Falcons

April 19^th Newcastle Falcons v Bristol Rugby

April 27^th/28^th B&I Cup semi-finals

May 4^th/5^th Semi-final 1

May 11^th/12^th Semi-final 2

May 17^th/18^th B&I Cup final

May23rd/24^th Final 1

May 29^th/30^th Final 2

Home games will include 11 Championship and hopefully semi-final and final, in addition to B&I Cup games. In all we could have over 20 home games, which if I remember right are all included in the season tickets. I will try to confirm all of these details shortly.

What is certain is that next season is not to be missed. Having watched the Falcons sliding down the slippery slope for the past few seasons, we can look forward to the Richards Revolution with anticipation of good things ahead. We get the chance to visit some of the iconic clubs of rugby such as Mosely, Bedford, and now of course Jersey, as well as welcoming their supporters to Kingston Park. Highlights of the season include games against Bristol & Pirates, and of course our friends and neighbours at Leeds. Doncaster & Rotherham will be other welcome local derbies, a change from all games involving a long trip down south.

2012-13 is set to be one of those seasons to look back on with pride, to be able to say “I was there”. Don’t miss out.

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We are the champions

Discussion started by FalconsRugby.org.uk , 01/07/2012 19:18

FalconsRugby.org.uk
01/07/2012 19:18

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eastfalcon
01/07/2012 19:50

An excellent piece Monkey.

I presume though, as previously stated by the club,they will still be looking to play the majority of home matches on Friday nights.

Already thinking about arranging time off work for the trip to Jersey!!

Onwards and Upwards!

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citizen-slacker
01/07/2012 21:47

There look to be some cracking fixtures, home & away, but the only cloud I see on the horizon is that May is very congested. If we do what we (expect?) want, & get to the league & cup finals, we'll effectively need two teams to ensure we have enough players to compete to win.

Bed space booked for Moseley, shame I'll be on a stag for Pirates away.

Look out Championship, here we come.

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DanFW3
01/07/2012 22:22

Good luck on winning back your place in the Premiership. A quick bounce back can be done. Speaking as a London Welsh supporter, you may find the B&I Cup a bit of a disappointment. You may also be quite shocked at how little press coverage the national press give any club or division other than those in the Premiership and have to work exceptionally hard to maintain a public profile. Being in the Championship, even for just a year, will introduce you to a range of really friendly clubs where you will be welcomed warmly provided you don't adopt a Harlequins-type swagger of 'we shouldn't really be here, and won't be for very long'. Looking forward to meeting you in home and away fixtures in a year's time.

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Monkey1
01/07/2012 22:48

Dan, we have had such a low profile for the past few seasons it really couldn't get much lower. We have also been relegation fodder for so long that we certainly can't pretend we shouldn't be there. Getting away from being the premiership whipping boys is going to be an almighyty relief, and with our ownership issues finally resolved & some proper structure put in place, this is the first time we have genuinely been able to look forward to the coming season.

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.

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bert68
02/07/2012 07:26

As an oufsider (a glaws fan) you have 1 heck of an opener there what odds that will be the final. But you do have one advantage with all the issues you have had over the last few days Deano should not need to motivate the team.

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Gray_Lensman
02/07/2012 08:02

DanFW, surely you don't think Falcons won't be promoted!

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TrailApe
02/07/2012 09:41

A very good piece Monkey, I do agree that we should approach this coming season with a degree of caution added to a large slice of optimism.

The optimism being not that we are 'too good to be here' but that at last we seem to have a coaching team that can produce the goods. Mr Gold showed in a few weeks what could be done with the current squad and I anticipate Deano and his team pushing on from there.

So good times ahead.

Now if they could only sort out a roof for us North Standers and bring in some decent Ale!

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Leipziger
02/07/2012 10:11

Great read, thanks.

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JANNER
05/07/2012 21:02

No matter what happens,im sure your boys will enjoy playing in the Championship,and those of you that support your great club will enjoy visiting many a different ground.Obviously your boys will be favouites to bounce straight back up,and if you do well i hope you enjoyed your stay here with us ! but before the champange is opened and the cheering starts,there is a long hard season ahead !so let us all look forward to a great season,to those of you that visit Penzance come along to say hello to the boys and girls in "Naughty boys corner " and some of us are already planning a weekend up with you guys in January

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Monkey1
05/07/2012 21:11

Cheers Janners.

Really looking forward to visiting some great clubs & welcoming their supporters up here in the far north. Better put a set of thermals on your Christmas list, it can get a bit crisp up here in January. I already have my sun cream & flip flops sorted for September.

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JANNER
05/07/2012 21:20

Thanks monkey 1 could do with some advice mate,where do most of the away supporters stand/sit ? and could do with some premier inn hotel places if you could pass on the information,would be great,looking forward to meeting you and shaking your hand.
Regards Janner

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eastfalcon
05/07/2012 22:19

Quote:

JANNER
Thanks monkey 1 could do with some advice mate,where do most of the away supporters stand/sit ? and could do with some premier inn hotel places if you could pass on the information,would be great,looking forward to meeting you and shaking your hand.
Regards Janner

The core, Falcon fans like Monkey stand in the South Stand, or if you have older bones like me I sit in the East Stand which is the smaller of the stands with seats( and attached to the club house!)There is a Novotel in Kingston Park (10-15 min walk or £5 in a taxi)or sometimes fans stay in the Toon and get the Metro out to the ground (airport line) As Monkey suggested it can get b****y cold in the winter up here like, especially if it happens to be a Friday night match!!

Onwards and Upwards!

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nursepete
06/07/2012 08:31

Janner,
there are 2 premier inns close to the ground - at Woolsington and also at the airport (probably a bit noisy after a night on the beer). That said if a beer and a good night out is what you are looking for, book to stay in Jesmond or in the city centre and travel to the ground by Metro ot Taxi.

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davietoon
06/07/2012 10:22

Already sorted out a pint with the Briz supporter who works next door just hope we re still speaking after the game!

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