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Sport is woven into the fabric of North East life. From cock fighting pits and the Quoits grounds of mining communities to the concrete cathedrals of modern football, it is still the backbone of our region.

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The Sports Archive aims to uncover and memorialise the North East's lost and historic sports grounds, helping us contextualise how sport was a vehicle for their communities.

Sports Archive.

Magdalene Fields Golf Club in 1947. Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography) raf_cpe_scot_uk_257_rp_3261 flown 12 August 1947

berw12

Golf

Magdalene Fields Golf Club

Berwick

Magdalene Fields Golf Club

Updated:

9 Dec 2025

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Ashbrooke Sports Ground in October 2025.

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Cricket, Football, Gymnastics, Athletics, Rugby, Bowls, Squash, Quoits, Tennis

Ashbrooke Sports Ground

Sunderland

Ashbrooke Sports Club (1887), Sunderland Cricket Club, Sunderland RFC (1873)

Updated:

26 Nov 2025

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The rifle range in 1951, snugly fitted between the bastion walls. Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography) raf_540_611_rp_3345 flown 9 October 1951

berw11

Shooting

Town Walls Rifle Range

Berwick

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Updated:

25 Nov 2025

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The club and green between the Border Bridge and Tweed Bridge in 1952. Source: © Historic England. Aerofilms Collection EAW046008 flown 14 August 1952

berw10

Bowls

Tweedmouth Bowling Club

Tweedmouth

Tweedmouth Bowling Club

Updated:

25 Nov 2025

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The Theater Royal after use as a boxing hall in the 1950s or 60s. Unknown original source.

su05

Boxing

Sunderland Royal Stadium (Theatre Royal & New Monkey)

Sunderland

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Updated:

14 Nov 2025

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Shielfiel Park in the 1960s. Photo: Tweeddale Press Ltd

berw09

Football, Speedway, Greyhound

Shielfiel Park

Berwick

Berwick Rangers, Berwick Bandits

Updated:

4 Nov 2025

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The old alignment of the Shielfiel ground in 1932. Source: © Historic England. Aerofilms Collection EPW040656 flown October 1932

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Football

Old Shielfiel

Berwick

Berwick Rangers, Shielfield Athletic, Tweedside Wanderers

Updated:

4 Nov 2025

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The site of the ground in October 2025.

SAFC06

Football

Newcastle Road, Football Ground

Sunderland

Sunderland AFC (1886 - 1898)

Updated:

29 Oct 2025

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Proof the pitch was operational in 1951. It was well worn too, with goalposts visible on either side. Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography) raf_540_611_rp_3316 flown 9 October 1951

berw07

Football

Spittal Football Ground

Spittal

Spittal Rovers (?)

Updated:

21 Oct 2025

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The tennis courts can be seen on the tip of this photograph from 1952. Source: © Historic England. Aerofilms Collection EAW045996 flown 14 August 1952

berw06

Tennis

Spittal Tennis Courts (2nd)

Spittal

Spittal Tennis Club

Updated:

21 Oct 2025

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The tennis court in 1932. Source: Historic England. Aerofilms Collection EPW040671 flown October 1932

berw05

Tennis

Spittal Tennis Court (1st)

Spittal

Spittal Tennis Club

Updated:

17 Oct 2025

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The club and adjacent recreation areas in 1952. Source: © Historic England. Aerofilms Collection EAW045996 flown 14 August 1952

berw04

Bowls

Spittal Bowling Green

Spittal

Spittal Bowling Club

Updated:

17 Oct 2025

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Background photo: Photograph of the Scottish Women's team preparing before a match against the North of England in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1938.

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