Steve Lawson, a lifetime friend of Novocastrians Rugby Club, died peacefully after a long
debilitating period following the diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease.
He was a successful President of Novos RFC during the club’s Centenary Year and also
President of The Old Novocastrian Association of the RGS.

Steve was a former pupil at RGS where he was a sporting and intellectual superstar. His
CV included being Head Boy, Captain of Rugby a 440yd specialist in athletics and a violin
player in the orchestra. He was mentioned in the Times newspaper when on a rugby tour
to London, he and his back row partner were described as ‘Tigers in the Loose’. His
holidays were spent playing golf, where he played off a single-figure handicap at
Bamburgh Castle Golf Club, winning many trophies one of which he won by finishing with
five ‘3s’.

After school he won a scholarship to Downing College Cambridge to study Electrical
Engineering before going on to a truly outstanding career, where he took the family
Electrical Fuse business to international prominence opening branches in both India and
Malaysia. His company supplied fuses to the National Grid and similar institutions all over
the world with a market leading product he had helped to develop.
He met his future wife Sue, who was Head Girl at Central High, at dancing classes, where
they immediately clicked, leading to a very happy lifetime together with many similar
interests- except for Rugby!! His two daughters, Liz and Jen, were the source of great
pride and love to him as they progressed through their own outstanding careers and family
lives.

His first involvement with Novocastrians RFC whilst still at school was through Percy
Lovett who was captain of Novos Thirds and a master at the school, who invited him to
play for the club team. This introduction to Club Rugby came as an incredible shock, but
considerable pride, when we transferred from the speed of highly coached, fast, school-
boy rugby to joining in with these seemingly old men who were very large but some-what
immobile. Whilst we had speed and agility, they had strength and knowledge and they
were very protective of us should any undue aggression be directed from the opposition. It
was a wonderful initiation. The same protection was not always offered after the game in
the bar.

An Under-18 team was formed and Steve’s side went on to win the Northumberland
County Under-18 Cup. The photo of this team hangs proudly in the club-house. This was
the start of Steve’s lifetime affiliation and affection for our club. Steve’s playing career
stopped relatively early but when playing, he was an aggressive tackler and forceful
presence on the pitch, whether playing wing forward or in the backs, this was enhanced by
the dark scrum cap he was required to wear due to re-current ear injuries. Although Steve
was a seriously clever and adroit business man, it did not stop him enjoying and relishing
the Bon Viveur aspect that rugby provides as an adjunct to the sporting life.

Steve, along with several other senior club members, formed a formidable group
supporting Novos on away fixtures and club tours- fondly known as the ‘Alics’. A feature of
away trips on coaches and trains, was Steve’s generous picnic which always included lots
of his home-made fayre and never lacked suitable lubrication. On ‘Tours’, he loved to free
himself from the disciplines of his business life, and stories relating to his time with the
Lord Mayor of a Provincial French town and his exploration of the utilities services in Rose
Street, made us laugh but remained where they should be, ‘On Tour’.
The club greatly benefited from Steve’s administrative skills. He was the most efficient and
generous secretary, scrupulously documenting every cost the club had incurred before
donating the same amount to the club. His many years of sponsorship was greatly
appreciated. The Lawson Suite is a humorous reminder of his many contributions, it
always made him laugh, as did his many (oft-repeated) jokes in his repertoire. When not
away on business he was always a regular attendee at the Monday evening and Sunday
lunchtime sessions at the club.

During the 1970’s with the club struggling, a revival plan was instigated. This involved the
appointment of John Elders, the England coach and RGS schoolmaster, working with a
group from Novos which included Steve as secretary and Jim Lewin as treasurer and
myself as captain to encourage regular turnouts at training so that John’s coaching skills
could be utilised. It was a time we all enjoyed and Steve looked back on this with justifiable
pride. His pride grew further when he was awarded an Honorary Life membership, which
he hugely valued. His last visit to the club was to a lunch where a certificate
commemorating this award was presented.

So, sadly he has left us, but everyone will remember him fondly for many years and will
have their own stories to tell about an outstanding man whose love of Novos Rugby Club
was legendary.

Rest in Peace Steve.