Tyne Youth & Community Centre

Chirnside House - Mariners Lane - Tynemouth - NE30 4AT

Telephone - 0191 2578796

Registered Charity No 522148

This article was written by Andy Allerton - Chess instructor and vice President

I was at Linskill secondary modern school during the 1960’s. It had a very good range of activities for it’s pupils and there was a lot of encouragement from the teachers. I took an interest in all sorts of activities, sports and hobbies. Basketball, football, athletics and letterpress printing were by main interests. However these could only be done when the homework was out of the way and finished. One of my school friends took me along to the chess club and tried to teach me how to play. Instruction off Mr. Nelson, the history teacher, however began to pay dividends.

While in my third year at school, a few of my football friends had joined Tyne Boys Club. One Saturday morning, I was playing football in the back lane with my cousin and his friends. During stoppages, when someone was retrieving the ball from the back yards, it was mentioned that most of them, had played for the junior teams at "Tyne", with some success. As I stayed with my grandparents, I talked it over with them to see it I could join.

My uncle, Norman Anderson, a football manager at the club, introduced me to Ron Chirnside, the leader. We talked privately in his office, on the activities, which the club offered, the football teams and the possibilities of overseas holidays. I was 15 years of age and enjoyed every minute of the experience. In those days we had football training on every Wednesday evening, from 6-30 until 8-00. I used to walk 1.5 miles to and from the club every week. I played my first game for Tyne United at Backworth, on a cold November morning. Keith Rodgerson was outside left, Keith Fletcher and John Dougal were inside forwards and I was on the right wing. The defence consisted of two county players; John Cox was in goal, with Roy Malcolm and Alan Fletcher as full backs. This game was memorable, because it was my first football game for any team and that I made two goals for the other forwards.

I continued to play football for that season. By now I was building up a lot of friends in other clubs, due to the sporting connections. In 1966 a holiday was planned for Ostend in Belgium. The cost was £25 for ten days; this was my first holiday abroad. We gathered at Newcastle station and changed at Kings Cross. The ferry took us to Ostend and from there a coach ride to our final destination, the hotel. As luck happened we were in time to see England beat Germany 4-2 in the World Cup final. However we were there not just to have a holiday but also to play a boys club from Gent. The hospitality was fantastic, the stadium very good and the spectators were enjoying a close game. Unfortunately we lost 2-1. We returned home with fond memories of Belgium and with a few souvenirs.

A year later, after football training, Ron read out some notices. These were concerning future Country events and championships. One was concerning the Northumberland Chess Championships; he asked if any one could play chess. "He can," replied Roy Malcolm. With out hesitation my name was down in Ron’s book to represent the club for chess. One of my neighbours had just married a man who was a county chess player. So with eight weeks to go before the championships, every Sunday morning was taken up trying to understand, openings, middle games and endings. My father took me to Newcastle for the championship. Round one was against an eighteen year old from Blyth Youth Club. The game was rubbish, to say the least. I was very nervous, my play was careless and I just managed to win. In round two I had a bye, so I played a friendly match with the referee/organiser, this was a victory for me. Two more competitive games saw me take one and a half points. This made me County Champion.

I have stayed with Tyne Boys club for over 35 years. To try and return to the club, the help, guidance and encouragement that I have received in the past. With Ron’s help and guidance, I had a hand in the music for the old peoples Christmas party and for the adult party and dances. Ron, the committee and the managers have had faith in me to guide young people through the club in whatever chosen activity they wish to peruse. In the past there has been drama, singing, rifle shooting and golf.

In all of this time I have been mainly associated with the chess section. The only funds that I have asked for were for a chess clock and a chess computer. The clock was no problem at all but the chess club members had to raise funds, hold raffles, coffee mornings and a dance, to get near the target of £240. Eventually with a cheque from the Northumberland chess federation they managed to achieve their target.

Bill Hartson, the BBC commentator and ex England chess captain, has visited the club and given a simultaneous display. He has also presented the awards at the birthday week celebrations. The statistics which follow could not have been achieved without the enthusiasm of the participants, the help of North Shields Chess Club, in particular Brian Alderson, Keith Watson and Gordon Wilson. To members of the Northumberland Chess Association, namely Peter Cartman and Eric Smith who gave up their own time to assist in the final preparation of the members.

Most of the boys have done very well in their profession. Ian Hopkins who was the first person to win the championship three times, has a degree in mathematics and computing from Nottingham University. He has a job, which involves solving problems in computer software. He has now moved away from Tyneside, due to his work. He is married with a son and a daughter. He regularly plays chess for Nottingham and is interested in Karate and often comes home to support Newcastle United.

Richard Milne left Linskill School and joined the Royal Air Force as an airframe technician. He has toured the world with the Air Force, working on a range of aircraft. One of his main rolls, was in assisting to piece together the Lockerbie plane crash. Richard is married and will be returning to the North East in the near future.

As for myself, I served an apprenticeship in marine engineering. I have worked with a range of companies in the North East of England, my employment now is with an environmental consulting company. I posses an HND certificate in Computer Aided Engineering and a B.Sc from the Open University. For my interests I am chairman of the Newcastle group of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, regional organiser for the High Performance Club and vice president of Tyne Youth and Community Association. My other interests are classic cars, photography, model making and fishing.

A successful club needs volunteers, as well as members. A mother who can give up one evening a week or can share with someone is worth a lot to keep the movement going. Fathers who have skills to share are invaluable. To see the smile on a child’s first trophy is worth more that any lotteries win.