David Walder

Whether as fly-half or a full-back, or even if he has to eventually leave to get first team rugby, Local Hero David Walder will always have a special place in the heart of every Falcon after his miraculous try in injury time which won the 2001 Tetley’s Bitter Cup.

The 4-times-capped Walder made his debut in a Cheltenham & Gloucester Cup 2nd round match at home to Richmond on February 21st 1999 at Kingston Park, which we won 38-17 although Stuart Legg kicked. Walder’s league debut came during the World Cup at home to Bristol in September 1999, when we lost only our second league match at Kingston Park in 3½ years, and made nine starts in the Millenium season. In November 2000, Dave set a record for the number of points scored in a Premiership with all 32 (2T, 2C 6P) in a 32-27 win over Saracens, but a few weeks later away to Gloucester was moved to full-back and played the rest of the season and 2001/02 in that position.

Walder’s greatest moment in a Newcastle shirt came on that February afternoon at Twickenham. Replacement prop Ian Peel made a drive for the corner, was bundled into touch and in one of the most controversial decisions of all time Steve Lander gave us the throw. Ross Nesdale’s throw found Stuart Grimes, but we quickly realised the maul would not get over. The ball came to Noon in front of the posts but four points down, a drop-goal wasn’t enough. Glancing over his right shoulder, Noon saw David Walder steaming through and passed to the Geordie to cut through the Quins’ defence and win the Cup. I don’t know what Walder was feeling as he screamed for the pass, but I know how I felt when the try was scored - it remains the greatest moment of my life and is one I will never forget.

Disaster struck in the summer of 2002 when Walder broke his leg in a friendly at Edinburgh and missed almost the whole season. In the third last game, at home to Northampton, a mighty roar went up around Kingston Park as over 7,000 Geordies welcomed one of our own back onto the pitch as a replacement, and he also came on in the last two matches.

David had no time to ease himself back though, as the World Cup and subsequent injuries to Jonny Wilkinson left the fly half and kicking responsibilities for the entire 2003/04 season on his shoulders. In 23 starts he managed to score 289 points, overcoming a mid-season confidence dip to score four conversions and three penalties in the Cup Final at Twickenham to return the Cup to the North.

For me, David Walder is a Geordie through and through and one who has done the business when it mattered most. Cut the man open and he will bleed black. Unfortunately he hasn’t started the new season in the starting line-up, and we should all pray that he doesn’t leave. He would be a big miss.

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