« Dunston Carnival | Main | iSee Gateshead - Local Studies Image Collection »
Football in Swalwell
Football in Swalwell was originally associated with the various churches in the village. The Church of England, the Presbyterians and the Primitive Methodists each had their own teams. The school also played in the local leagues organised by the schools of the district.
Swalwell School team 1948.
Mr Smith at left,
Mr Brogan at right,
and Headmaster Mr Crozier centre.
Swalwell Primitive Methodist team 1920.
Robert Stubbs at front right.
Swalwell Association Football Club played on the former Presbyterian's ground (who played in the North Eastern League) adjacent to the cricket ground. Swalwell AFC were in existence from 1949 until 1998 when they were removed from the league after finishing bottom. Beginning in the Northern Combination league they played their final season in the JPL Wade Northern Alliance League.
A new club, Swalwell Juniors FC, was inaugarated in 1998 and runs around twenty teams, both boys and girls. They have a new clubhouse with excellent facilities and are located on the site of the former Derwenthaugh cokeworks.
Swalwell produced many players who went on to the professional game, among them Joe Laidlaw (Middlesbrough and Doncaster Rovers).