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towl01

Football

Ironworks Road, Football Ground

54.747041, -1.818660

Tow Law

Opened:

1890

Closed:

Open

Condition:

Home Teams/Clubs:

Last Updated:

5 Jan 2024

Tow Law Town AFC

HER Description

NEHL - The ground has been situated here since at least 1890, when Tow Law Town AFC were established, and from the outset competed in the Durham Cup. They were established by at least May, when the first annual supper was held at the Station Hotel. They became one of the founding teams of the Auckland and District League in 1892 and won the Durham Amateur Cup in 1893. They were elevated into the Northern League in 1894 and won the Durham Challenge Cup in 1896.

The ground was nothing but austere at this point. The Ordnance Survey illustrates the ground as a fenced off pitch with a small shed at the entrance bordering the railway. Changing facilities were likely over at the Mechanics Institute.

The club later played in the South Durham Alliance, the Auckland and District League and again the Northern League where they remained and continued to be successful. Facilities little improved even into the 30s, with what appears to be a small clubhouse on the Ironworks Road site after the whole area had been developed for residential. A brutal and cold day out for away teams.

The ground is still in use with covered stands around the pitch. The Hoppers Guide have done a great little report on the ground here - https://hoppersguide.com/tow-law-town-ironworks-road-hopper-tales-75/#:~:text=In%201841%20only%20one%20building,Company%20was%20established%20in%201845.

It's also the second highest ground in England.

Ordnance Survey

Ordnance Survey, 1890s

'Sketches of The Coal Mines in Northumberland and Durham' T.H.Hair, published in 1844

Tow Law and its football ground in the centre of the shot on Ironworks Road. Source: Google Maps, 1945

Have we missed something, made a mistake, or have something to add? Contact us

'Sketches of The Coal Mines in Northumberland and Durham' T.H.Hair, published in 1844

Historic Environment Records

Durham/Northumberland: Keys to the Past

Tyne and Wear: Sitelines

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HER information as described above is reproduced under the basis the resource is free of charge for education use. It is not altered unless there are grammatical errors. 

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