Graham glad to resume family affair with Falcons
JON NEWCOMBE talks to Gary Graham about emulating father George’s team of ‘98
If for no other reason than to put his dad’s wellaired, title-winning stories to bed, Newcastle flanker Gary Graham hopes the current Falcons squad can write a new chapter into the club’s history books.
Dad George, who won 25 caps for Scotland, was a member of the magnificent Falcons side that won the inaugural Premiership in 1998, and Gary grew up on tales from the era.
“I’ve heard the same ones repeatedly, I think he must be getting dementia,” he said.
Two decades on, the best Newcastle have managed is a sixth-placed finish, but 25-yearold Graham believes that anything is possible this season even though they currently find themselves eighth in the table.
“We’re definitely not writing ourselves off. There have been a lot of surprise results this season, Gloucester beating Saracens being an obvious one,” he said. “A lot of teams are pulling results out of the bag that you wouldn’t perhaps expect so it is quite open this year.
“We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us, but the boys are confident and there is a really good ethos around the place about what we are doing and the direction that we’re heading in.”
Flanker Graham belatedly made his Premiership debut against Wasps in November, having arrived at his father’s old club in the summer, fresh from an impressive spell in the Championship with Jersey.
“I’m really enjoying it, even more so now that I am playing. I got off to a bit of a slow start after picking up an injury in the Singha Sevens.
“I always knew it would be an uphill battle getting into the back row with players of the quality of Nili Latu, Will Welch and Mark Wilson here, but I’m giving it my best shot and, so far, I am doing all right.”
Before signing for the Falcons, Graham was no stranger to Kingston Park.
“We used to come down on matchdays and play in the crèche whilst dad would go and do the business on the park. Some of the staff and coaches remember me and my brothers walking around the stadium and causing carnage. It’s nice to have those family ties.
“With coming back here, it couldn’t have worked out any better. I think my dad was even happier than me when I signed. He is proud as punch and is always sending me messages of support and advice.”