Newcastle Falcons in family photo shoot

Oct 14 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

WHEN you’re a foot smaller than your wife and she’s got a beard you’ve not exactly landed on your feet.

Luckily for Falcons scrum half James Grindal, his marriage to All Black powerhouse Carl Hayman was just a piece of marketing.

The pair were joined by Micky Ward and John Golding as the son and daughter to promote the club’s new family ticket.

From the game against London Irish on November 16 onwards, fans will be able to buy a family ticket, for two adults and two children, for £50.

Grindal, who sidestepped having to wear a dress or pigtails by playing the father role, said: “It’s a bit different. We’re not really professional models, so it was a bit of a challenge to do this fancy dress.

“Having a wife the size of Carl and a beard like his is a bit surreal.

“It was a good hour or so having a mess around.” Newcastle Falcons marketing manager Gill Stephenson said: “We have never ever done a family ticket before, but we have been asked to do it a number of times. What we wanted to do is to show the players in a different light, off the pitch, to show that they are about more than just the rugby.”

For family tickets, which have to be booked, telephone 0871 226-6060.