THE BUILDING OF A CLUB
Bensham R.F.C. was formed in 1873 but disbanded in 1876 and then became part of North Durham, which had been formed in 1875.
May 27th 1907 saw the formation of the new Bensham R.F.C. which shared a ground with Esconians R.F.C. at High Teams. The cost of renting the ground was £8.15.00 per year.
In 1921 it was proposed that the name be changed to Gateshead Fell Rugby Football Club and that the team would play at a ground adjacent to Low Fell railway station. This ground would be accessible by either train or tram.
In 1922 the Fell secured a lease from Lord Northbourne on an excellent ground situated south of Gateshead Fell Cricket Club. In 1925 shares could be bought to buy the ground for £5000.
In the late twenties, athletic meetings, tennis matches and cycling events took place on the pitches! A wooden stand was built in 1926.
The mid thirties saw the club running 6 side and artificial lights for training were introduced. A pitch and put golf course was also introduced around this time.
In 1938 the ground was officially opened as Hedley Lawson Park to perpetuate the memory of Hedley Lawson who had done so much work for the club.
In 1946, North Durham and the Fell turned out a combined 15s as North Durham’s field had been used by the army during the war.
The mid fifties to the mid sixties saw the building of new dressing rooms (now the lounge) at a cost of £1,750 and later the bar and hall at a cost of £5,500.
The ground was levelled in 1960, which meant that the club had to play on two pitches at the Team Valley, where De La Rue factory now stands.
A new stand with dressing rooms was built after the wooden one was burned down accidentally. We then had a lounge, committee room and office to enhance the club. Dressing rooms and gymnasium were added later.
Space prevents the mention of the dedicated people and the players who did so much to create the “Fell”. Maybe there will be an opportunity at a later date.
Brian H. Durham
03 March 2023
