NEHL - A rugby ground stood somewhere on Chester Road from the 1870s until 1887. Unfortunately there is not an exact location known as maps do not cover these dates. It was the home ground of Sunderland FC (the rugby club) up until the land was likely purchased by the council for housing development. The club then went onto play at Ashbrooke, home to multiple sports clubs in the town including SAFC for a short period.

The ground was also used for high profile matches. The Durham County Rugby Union Challenge Cup was held here in 1881, between Houghton and Westoe.

Cricket was also held on the ground. "A grand cricket match" took place in 1884 between Lawyers and Doctors of Sunderland for charity. An artillery band performed at the occasion.

24/02/23 - It has been discovered football may have also been played here. A "Chester Road" ground was the home of such clubs as Dunville FC and Pallion FC in the 1890s before housing developments took hold. Pallion played in the Wearside Alliance League from 1888, while Dunville FC played against local teams in the early 1890s.