Tynedale hero to salute side

Apr 11 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

ALI Johnson’s return to Tynedale RFC this weekend will be a poignant one for the former prop forward who was left paralysed while playing for the club four years ago.

The National Three North champions return to league action tomorrow as they take on Preston Grasshoppers with an eye on signing off a superb title-winning campaign in victorious fashion.

But while Tynedale want to keep their five-month unbeaten run going, the day marks another milestone for the club with the opening of their new £350,000 changing rooms – an event for which Johnson is the guest of honour.

The 27-year-old broke his back playing against Fylde in 2004 when a scrum collapsed – an accident which rocked the club and left Johnson’s life, by his own admission, “devastated”.

The courage and determination he has shown since have made him an inspirational figure at Tynedale, and Johnson was delighted to accept the offer to play a part in another milestone day for the Corbridge-based club.

As well as state-of-the-art changing rooms, the new facility will include a referee’s room, a meeting room and a disabled ramp – something that will make it much easier for the paralysed Johnson to watch games and visit the club.

“It will be good to go back again. They’ve done a brilliant job and I’m honoured to be asked to go back,” he said.

“Even though it was the place where I had the accident I try and get to games as much as I can, when the weather is warm enough and I can make it without any problems. These new facilities will make it much, much easier for me,” he said.

“The club have always been absolutely brilliant to me. They raised a lot of money and they were always very supportive after the accident.” Tynedale are already assured of promotion to National Two after a superb season, and Johnson has been delighted to see his former colleagues prosper. He admits there are more than a few pangs of regret he is no longer involved in the playing side – but it hasn’t dulled his enthusiasm for a club that stuck by him after his injury.

“A few of the lads that I played with are still there, although a few have retired or moved on. There is enough there for me to be excited that they are doing so well,” he said.

“They have had a really good year and everything looks to be on the up for them. It is an excellent achievement for them to be promoted and a big boost for North East rugby. It’s a real pity that I can’t be playing and I can’t be part of it. I would have loved to be but it is one of those things beyond my control.

While Tynedale face battles on the field, Johnson is determined to keep fighting off it. He maintains his intensive physiotherapy regime and is hoping to move into a new house soon – and he intends to play a big part in building it.

“I can’t really explain how it has affected my life. It has devastated my life really but I just need to move on with things now and try and work hard to rebuild it and make the most of things,” he said.

“The physiotherapy is hard – it can be very gruelling and tiring but I’ve got to keep it up if I want to stay fit and healthy.” Tynedale welcome back captain Phil Belgian, Rob Miller and Ross Samson in the back and Rupert Harden, Aaron Charlton, Tim Swinson, Stuart Walker and Grant Rastall in the forwards for the game after they were all rested for the Northumberland Senior Cup.

The highlight of a packed programme for the local sides is at Darlington Mowden Park, where Rugby Lions are the visitors for a crucial end-of-season clash in Division Three north.

With third-placed Fylde snapping at their heels Mowden need two more wins to guarantee them a place in a play-off for promotion – and the chance to join Tynedale and Blaydon in National League Two.

WEEKEND TEAMS

TYNEDALE (home, Preston Grasshoppers) from: Massey, Duncan, Harrison, Belgian, Smales, Laycock, Gavin Beasley, Samson, Young, Miller, Jupp, Southern, Williams, Harden, Charlton, Fieldhouse, Marshall, Swinson, Walker, Rastall, Lavelle, Murray, Grant Beasley, MacGilchrist.

NORTH SHIELDS (home, Medicals): Thompson, Finlay, Carr, Herbert, Rendles, Irving, Hansen, Lemmons, Irving, Crammen, Kenny, Elliot, Leitch, Knowles (Capt), Burrows, Reps : James, McFarlane, Jones.

RYTON (home, Ponteland): Brett, Convery, Cork, Jackson, Knott, McIntyre, Moore, Oliver, Oxley, Roberts, Scott, Sculllion, Smith, Ushaw, Ward, Watson, Williamson, Wymes (Capt).

BLYTH (away, Seaham Harbour): Smith, Herron, Robinson, Brooks, Bradwell, Sutherland, Smith, Dunwoodie, Cole, Browne, Long, Harding, Davie, Harnett, Henderson. Reps: Barratt, Heslop, Morris.