Originally owned by ICI, the Central Avenue Stadium consisted of a football pitch surrounded by a running track. The 2,000 capacity cantilever stand was the longest in the country at the time the stadium opened. The stand was demolished in 2019.

Brian Clough, an ICI employee, started his football career with Billingham Synthonia FC.

The stadium hosted a Great Britain v Benelux countries international athletics meeting in 1963.

Words kindly provided by Jonathan May