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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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Boxing

Princess Ballroom

Ashington

Updated:

8 Apr 2025

Hirst Park around the 1920s, featuring one of the shelters near the Bowling Greens. Unknown photographer.

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Tennis, Bowls, Football

Hirst Park

Ashington

Hirst Park Bowling Club, Hirst Park FC

Updated:

8 Apr 2025

The Portland in May 2023

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Quoits

Portland Arms Hotel, Quoits Ground

Ashington

Updated:

1 Apr 2025

The Miners Welfare as shown in the Blyth News of 29/08/1938

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Tennis, Bowls, Water Polo, Squash

Ashington Miners Welfare Institute

Ashington

Ashington Miners' Welfare Institute Bowling Club

Updated:

1 Apr 2025

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Cricket, Tennis

Ashington Cricket Ground

Ashington

Ashington CC

Updated:

1 Apr 2025

Ashington Recreation Grounds in 1924. Source_ © Historic England. Aerofilms Collection    EPW010629 flown 14 June 1924

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Football, Rugby, Cricket, Quoits, Tennis, Cycling, Athletics, Archery, Handball

Ashington Recreation Grounds

Ashington

Ashington AFC (1889 - 1909), Ashington Rising Star, Ashington Hotspur, Ashington Albion, Ashington Black Watch, Ashington Old Boys, Ashington Spartans, Ashington and Hirst RFC, Ashington Rugby Club, Ashington Welfare CC

Updated:

18 Mar 2025

Walker Park in 2023

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Bowls, Tennis, Rugby, Football

Walker Park

Walker

Walker Neptune (1890s), Walker Park (- 1930s), Walker Park Bowling Club

Updated:

17 Mar 2025

The Scrogg Inn, used as the changing rooms and headquarters of the clubs AGM's through the 1890s. Taken in March 2025.

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Rugby

Scrogg Road, Rugby Ground

Walker

Walker Rugby Club (1890s)

Updated:

17 Mar 2025

© Historic England. Aerofilms Collection    EPW053949 flown June 1937

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Tennis

Church Street, Tennis Ground

Walker

Updated:

13 Mar 2025

Portland Park c1935, just before the Greyhound track was instituted. The shot is facing the north stand. Source: Billy Embleton

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Football, Greyhound (1936 - 1993), Speedway (1972)

Portland Park

Ashington

Ashington AFC, Ashington Arrows

Updated:

11 Mar 2025

Postcard of the pavilion in the 20s or 30s. Source: Golfs Missing Links: https://www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php/england/north-east/northumberland/311-amble-golf-club-northumberland#:~:text=The%20club%20was%20founded%20in,the%20station%20to%20the%20course.

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Golf

Amble Links Golf Club

Amble

Amble Golf Club

Updated:

4 Mar 2025

Amble Bowling Club can be seen on this hazy shot from 1932. Source: Historic England. Aerofilms Collection    EPW038811 flown June 1932

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Bowls

Amble Bowling Club

Amble

Amble Bowling Club

Updated:

4 Mar 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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