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Swalwell Cricket Club
It was formed in 1880 after a number of meetings in the old "Crows Trees Inn", which stood on the site of the present Blaydon Rugby Club.
Several well-known Swalwell families, such as Bruce, Watson, Lee, Norvell and Fletcher, attended the meetings.
The first matches were played between 1880 and 1892 on the "Forge Field" situated at the Dam Head. Sir Henry Clavering then gave them permission to play on the "Avenue Ground". In 1999 they moved to their present home at the Derwenthaugh Country Park, situated on the site of the old Derwenthaugh Coke Works.
During its long history the Cricket Club has played hosts to Swalwell Presbyterian Football Club, Swalwell Hockey Club and even a Tennis Club, whose court later became a Putting Green.
During the 1939-45 war the ground and pavilion were commandeered by the Royal Air Force for use as a Barrage Balloon site. An arrangement was made with Ryton Cricket Club to use its ground on alternate Saturdays.
In 1975 and 1976 teams of Ladies from Ryton and Swalwell played an annual match. On each occasion the home side proved victorious.
Swalwell played in the North West Durham League with considerable success until 1932. In 1933 they became a member of the re-organised Tyneside Senior League where they have continued to play with considerable success, having won Division B and Division A on numerous occasions. They later played in the Fosters Northumberland and Tyneside Senior Cricket League.
The "Avenue Ground" was eventually sold in 2000 to Miller Homes, who have developed a housing estate called "The Pavilion", and a new ground at Derwenthaugh Park opened half a mile distant.