Gosforth, McCracken Park, Northern Football Club (rugby)

HER Number:
16852

District:
Newcastle

Site Name:
Gosforth, McCracken Park, Northern Football Club (rugby)

Place:
Gosforth

Map Sheet:
NZ26NW

Class:
Recreational

Site Type: Broad:
Sports Ground

Site Type: Specific:
Rugby Football Ground

General Period:
Modern

Specific Period:
C20

Form of Evidence:
Structure

Description:
Northern Football Club is the City's oldest rugby club. It was formed in September 1876 as Elswick Football Club by William and Richard Cail, printers. For 60 years the club had no permanent base. They played at the Mill Inn on Westgate Road, later on the Town Moor. In 1937 they set up their present ground at Gosforth, named after Angus McCracken, player, club president and accountant. The original stand was wooden and there were four pitches. At times they hired extra pitches at High Gosforth Park. But financial problems in the late 20th century led to one pitch being sold for housing. The proceeds paid for a new ranch-style clubhouse, which opened in December 1994. Squash courts were introduced in 1961. The clubhouse is the base for Gosforth Harriers & Athletic Club, which was founded in 1927. The rugby club still fields six teams. The wooden grandstand still survives.

Easting:
2443

Northing:
6989

Grid Reference:
NZ24436989

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
Lynn Pearson, 2010, Played in Tyne and Wear - Charting the heritage of people at play, p 52, 61