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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.

Scroll down to find the lost sports grounds of yesteryear, and the treasured community spaces of today.

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Cricket

Belsay Cricket Ground

Belsay

Belsay Cricket Club

Updated:

9 Sept 2025

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Shooting

Bellingham, Rifle Range

Bellingham

Bellingham Rifle Club

Updated:

9 Sept 2025

The only known image of Bellingham Football Club in 1905, perhaps taken at the Fairstead. Source: Northumberland Communities

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Football

Fairstead Football Ground

Bellingham

Bellingham Football Club

Updated:

2 Sept 2025

The club in 1905, perhaps on the Fair Stead. Source: Northumberland Communities

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Football

Riding Haugh

Bellingham

Bellingham Football Club

Updated:

2 Sept 2025

The golf course at Bellingham in 1948. Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography)    raf_541_a_442_rs_4392 flown 30 July 1948

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Golf

Bellingham Golf Club

Bellingham

Bellingham Golf Club

Updated:

2 Sept 2025

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Wrestling

The Spital, Wrestling Grounds

Newcastle

Updated:

28 Aug 2025

An impression of the Infirmary in 1803, long before the railway which infringed some of this land. Source: Newcastle Libraries

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Wrestling

Old Infirmary, Wrestling Ground

Newcastle

Updated:

28 Aug 2025

The old pub today, taken in July 2025

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Handball, Quoits

The Queens Head, Leadgate

Leadgate

Updated:

18 Aug 2025

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Football, Cricket, Tennis, Bowls

Boldon Colliery Welfare Ground

Boldon

Boldon Star, Boldon CA, Boldon Colliery Welfare CC

Updated:

18 Aug 2025

The cricket ground and station in 1947. Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography)    raf_cpe_uk_2074_rp_3059 flown 17 May 1947

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Cricket, Football

Belford Cricket Ground

Belford

Belford CC

Updated:

5 Aug 2025

A sadly damaged aerial photograph of the church and tennis court in the 1940s. Source: © Historic England. Aerofilms Collection    EAW019709 flown 8 October 1948

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Tennis

Belford Tennis Court

Belford

Updated:

29 Jul 2025

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Football

The Meadows Football Ground

Belford

Belford Football Club

Updated:

29 Jul 2025

Map
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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.

Historic Maps provided by

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