Newcastle Falcons to pay tribute to Ali Johnson

Dec 4 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

NEWCASTLE Falcons players will be attending the funeral of inspirational former Tynedale prop Ali Johnson on Monday, the club confirmed yesterday.

Ali, 28, who was paralysed after suffering a broken neck playing rugby for Tynedale in 2004, died on Monday following a stroke.

He was admired by many due to the manner in which he adapted to life with a dislocated vertebrae and damaged spinal cord.

His funeral is to take place at Haltwhistle Methodist Church on Monday at 1pm.

Family and friends will then move on to Newcastle Crematorium for 2.45pm before gathering at Tynedale’s clubhouse in Corbridge.

A spokesman for the Falcons, where Ali played at academy level, said: “A number of Falcons players will attend Ali’s funeral on Monday, and the club will pay its respects prior to next Sunday’s home game against Italian side Overmach Parma.”

In the announcement for his funeral, the Johnson family have asked for no black ties to be worn and for any donations to go to the Great North Air Ambulance.

Since his death, a number of high-profile people from the rugby world have paid tribute to his remarkable character, including Rugby Football Union President Brian Williams., who called him “a very special lad who has shown immense courage in dealing with his problems.”

Ali, from Coanwood, near Haltwhistle, saw his life changed irreversibly when a scrum collapsed against Fylde in 2004. During his seven months in hospital, a fund was set up to help his rehabilitation which raised more than £200,000.

He maintained an intensive physiotherapy regime and, in the weeks before his death, was said to be excited at the prospect of moving into a new house.

After suffering his injury he lived with his parents Ken and Sheila but battled to get planning permission for a specially designed bungalow near their home.

His final interview in The Journal was in April this year, after Tynedale installed a new disabled ramp at their ground, when Ali spoke of his continuing love of rugby and determination to live life to the full.