Northumberland FA

The Northumberland Football Association was formed on May 11^th 1883 at a meeting at the Alexandra Hotel in Newcastle having broken away from the Durham & Northumberland FA, which had been formed in 1879.

The association’s first secretary was Aleck Peters, with the Lord Bishop of Newcastle becoming the County FA’s first President. The major clubs of the day were Tyne Association, Newcastle Rangers, Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End.

The Northumberland Senior Cup was first played for in 1884, with Tyne FC lifting the trophy in the inaugural competition.

The Northumberland FA became a limited company around the turn of the millennium before moving into impressive new premises at Whitley Park in Benton in 2001, which included several pitches and a cricket ground along with the Blue Flames Club.

West Allotment Celtic FC became tenants at Whitley Park upon its opening, before leaving owing to a rent increase in 2016. The venue was then used increasingly by Newcastle United's age group sides, including the Under 23's. 

My visit

Saturday 3rd October 2008

During a short break on Tyneside I visited Whitley Park; which was West Allotment Celtic’s home of the time. I was on my way to Esh Winning v Scarborough after some heavy groundhopping the day before. I had left my less than sumptuous B&B in Whitley Bay, ready to visit five more venues.

Alighting from the metro at Benton station, I made the short walk to Whitley Road where I found the car park and entrance to the complex. A junior team was meeting there for a game elsewhere, so I got a few hello's as they probably thought I worked there.

I found an open gate and walked into the ground to find quite an impressive venue. I was on top of a grass bank looking down to a path by the pitch side fence. At the top of the bank was one small covered shelter.

Further along was two small seated stands separated by the players tunnel before some steps led down to the pitch, meaning spectators can get an excellent elevated view of proceedings.

A path and grass standing were behind the goal to the left while just an expanse of grass stood on the other two sides with more pitches. Lots of buildings containing offices, sports facilities and changing rooms were behind the stands on top of the bank. All the pitches looked in immaculate condition.

As I left I wondered just how some clubs and grounds seem to be held to ransom by the stringent ground graders while some get away with it. Whitley Park was very neat and tidy but I was under the impression that hard standing was required more than was in evidence here.

Then I looked behind me and saw a sign that may have given the game away. Whitley Park was home to the Northumberland FA after all!