Last updated at 07:08, Friday, 26 February 2010

Gledson is one of the best known names in the Tynedale sporting world.

That’s largely due to the efforts of North Tyne farmer Alan Gledson, who captained Tynedale Rugby Club to some of its most stirring exploits in the 1980s and 90s.

It was he who lifted the Northumberland Senior Cup for Tynedale for the first time in 40 years in 1988, and starred in many of the club’s national knockout cup heroics.

He went on to coach Northumberland to the county championship final at Twickenham, as well as coaching the India national side.

His son Richie is himself a fine player, although he never quite reached the heights of his illustrious father on the field.

However, Richie is still flying high in the sporting world.

He has just set up a company Sky High Sports, which specialises in the organisation of sports tours across the UK, in Europe and right around the world.

The business also has the backing of one of the most colourful characters in the game in former Tynedale favourite and Tongan international Epi Taione.

As well as Tonga he represented the Pacific Islanders.

Epi, who literally hit the headlines during the last Rugby World Cup when he dyed his hair green and changed his name to Paddy Power, said: “ I have known and worked with Sky High Sports since they began, and I have always been impressed with their ambition, foresight and drive.

Details of available tours are on the website www.skyhighsports.biz

First published at 06:12, Friday, 26 February 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk