NEHL - On what is now Thompson Road stood the home field of Southwick AFC. Contemporary newspapers show the establishment of the club in the late 1880s and their ambitions to make a first class facility in the area. They had previously been named Pride of the Wear AFC, though they had played at an unknown ground. The football field is still in use in the 1890s, and was also used by the Southwick Board football team in the late 1890s as well as the Southwick Wesleyans in the Sunderland and District League Division II.

Facilities were limited - there was no clubhouse or buildings on the 1890s map, so it is likely changing rooms were provided at the Methodist Chapel over the road.