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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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Quoits

The Black Bull Yard, Quoits Ground

Alnwick

Updated:

28 Jan 2025

Alnwick Market Place in the 1880s, around a half century after the practice stopped at Alnwick.

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Bull Baiting

Alnwick Bullring

Alnwick

Updated:

28 Jan 2025

The Star Hotel, date unknown. Source: Bill M on Flickr, no copyright restrictions

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Quoits

The Star Hotel, Quoits Ground

Alnwick

Alnwick Quoit Club

Updated:

28 Jan 2025

Fenkle Street in the 1900s. The Angel stands on the left of this image directly opposite the library on the right. Unknown original source.

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Cock Fighting

The Angel Inn, Cockpit

Alnwick

Updated:

16 Jan 2025

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Horse

Alnwick Racecourse, Hobberlaw Edge

Alnwick

Updated:

16 Jan 2025

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Horse

Alnwick Racecourse, High Hobberlaw

Alnwick

Updated:

16 Jan 2025

The likely site of Stamps Close is the ground on the left.

Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography)    raf_106g_scot_uk_19_rs_4270 flown 15 April 1946

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Cricket

Stamps Close, Cricket Ground

Alnwick

Alnwick CC

Updated:

7 Jan 2025

Gypsies Green in 1970. Unknown original source

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Football, Athletics, Cycling

Gypsies Green

South Shields

South Shields Reserves, South Shields Harriers, South Shields Velo Cycling Club, South Tyneside FC

Updated:

7 Jan 2025

The Lindisfarne Road ground in 1932. Source: © Historic England. Aerofilms Collection    EPW040690 flown October 1932

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Football

Lindisfarne Road, Football Ground

Alnwick

Updated:

31 Dec 2024

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Football

South Road Ground

Alnwick

Alnwick Percy Rovers

Updated:

31 Dec 2024

St James Park in 1949 from the south. Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography)    raf_540_a_412_sffo_0046 flown 6 May 1949

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Football

St James' Park, Alnwick

Alnwick

Alnwick St James' FC, Alnwick Town AFC

Updated:

31 Dec 2024

The Athletics Track stood in the build up site in the right of this shot, where the rowing club is now situated. Taken in 2022.

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Athletics, Cricket

The Salt Grass Ground

South Hylton

South Hylton Alma CC

Updated:

30 Dec 2024

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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