The 175th anniversary of the Durham School Football Club is tomorrow and the excitement is palpable as Old Dunelmians from throughout the school's history gather together to celebrate the School's great tradition of rugby. We have a number of items in the archives reflecting this long history—signed rugby balls, DSFC caps, photographs, trophies, logbooks, newspaper clippings—but nowhere is there more material on a single alumnus that the collection on rugby union player Michael Stephenson (1980---). We were fortunate enough to be donate a wealth of archival documents by Stephenson's father, also known as Mike Stephenson, which provide an almost forensic look at his rugby career. Amongst the documents are letters, news clippings, a CV, magazines, rugby programmes, dietary recommendations, sketches of playing techniques, VHS tapes, itineraries, match tickets, printouts of webpages, and a May 2002 issue of Company in which Stephenson was listed as one of 'Britain's 50 Most Eligible Bachelors'. 

To briefly sketch his career, he attended Durham School from 1992 to 1999, becoming captain of the 1st XV in 1998. He turned out for the England XV against the Barbarians at Twickenham in May 2001. At the same time he played for the Newcastle Falcons, winning two English Cups in 2001 and 2004. After this, he moved to Bath in the summer of 2005, and would later join Leeds Carnegie and Percy Park RFC. While there is too much material to give a full accounting of it in this little space, there are some areas which highlight his connection to Durham School. For example, in the programme for a 2002 Falcons v Leinster game, an interview segment highlights how by playing on the 1994-1995 Junior Colts side at Durham School he was able to meet three fellow Durham School alumni who would follow him into the Falcons: 

 "STEVO ON HOW HE GOT INVOLVED IN RUGBY

I used to play a lot of football on Saturday mornings but when I started Durham School I had to go to school on Saturday mornings. So I started playing rugby on a Sunday morning at Durham City. But I was out on the same Under 11 teams as Hall [Charlton], Isy [James Isaacson] and Billy [Christian Balshen]. That was a real laugh, as it is now. It is important to enjoy whatever you do in life. 

STEVO ON HOW HE GOT NOTICED BY THE FALCONS 

Paul Mackinnon came to watch Durham School on a regular basis and I supposed he noticed me there. He also watched most of the trial games the year I was lucky enough to play for England schools. From there it was onto the Falcons Academy and onto the first team.

STEVO ON HIS FIRST TEAM DEBUT FOR THE FALCONS

It was against Mosely in the Cup and I was on the bench. Unfortunately my Grandad died on the morning of the game; he had been ill for a long time. It was a bit sad that he didn't get the chance to see me play but I know he would be very proud.

STEVO ON THE HIGHLIGHT OF HIS CAREER SO FAR 

My highlight would have to be the Cup final. Anyone who was there will remember it forever and to be able to take part in that was very special. People still say to me that it was the best sporting event they had ever been to. The fact that we won with two late tries bares testament to the coaching staff who say we should play for 85 minutes. The scenes at the end were marvellous and will take some beating in my future career.

 STEVO ON HIS FIRST CAP AND THE TOUR OF AMERICA 

I can't remember any of my first cap as I got a bit of a whack on the head. However the rest of the tour was great fun and it was good to have Dave [Walder] and Noony [Jamie Noon] there too, even if I did get a bit sick of being with them 24/7 for four weeks. It was a great learning experience both on and off the field. 

STEVO ON THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT IN HIS CAREER 

So far the worst thing has been being put in the corner of the changing room with Liam [Botham], Noony [Jamie Noon] and Tom [May]. It's not pleasant I can tell you!" 

Newspaper clippings from the collection provide snapshots looks at his career. An article of the Evening Chronicle from the 20th January 1999 shows his transition from the Durham School sport to the international game: 

"Michael Stephenson will be keeping up the proud rugby tradition of Durham School when he takes the field for England Schools against the touring Australian Schools side at Bristol on January 27. Stephenson, the school First XV captain and deputy head boy, is the latest in a long line of Durham School boys who have represented their country at rugby. Two years ago he played for England Schools 16 Group and last year the outstanding full back was capped a year under age at 18 group level. Durham School's director of sport Paul Gerrard said: 'Michael played three games for the England Under 18 side last season while still in the lower VI, one of the only two players who moved up a year. His selection for the team this year marks his third consecutive year international schoolboy rugby—itself a remarkable achievement.' In addition, three other Durham pupils have been selected to play for the North Under 16s in the forthcoming Divisional Championships.

" A year later he had achieved success. 'Stephenson joy at big occasion' proclaimed the Evening Chronicle on the 23rd March 2000. "Twice in the past two seasons he got within one match of Twickenham with Durham School in the Daily Mail Schools Under-18 Cup but on both occasions they lost in the semi-finals. But yesterday Stephenson finally took to the big stage like a star in the marking to turn in a man of the match performance which swung a hard-fought game Northumbria's way… 'It was worth waiting for and an awesome experience to play at Twickenham,' said the young member of Newcastle Falcons' development squad. 'There is a tremendous spirit in the team, we have worked very hard for this and our defence was superb throughout.'" 

The quotes from this collection demonstrate that Michael Stephenson's rugby career represent the 175-year history of the DSFC in microcosm. His experiences will be familiar with many other school alumni who have played rugby in the past forty years. From playing alongside old school friends to the presence of the ever-influential figure of director of sport Paul Gerrard, they show what makes Durham School rugby great, and why it will hopefully continue for another 175 years. I hope to see you at the anniversary celebrations tomorrow.