Lucky for some, the young Shildon FC mascot in these photographs may have had the best seat at the Dean Street ground – but who was he, what were the occasions and how did they manage to play football on so extraordinarily muddy a pitch?
The photographs have been unearthed by the Durham Amateur Football Trust ahead of an exhibition marking the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Dean Street ground. The only clue is that on the back of one photograph is the wording “Alan, aged 7” and on the other “Alan, aged eight.”
Durham Amateur Football Trust volunteer, Mike Amos, would welcome any information about the photographs and can be contacted at mikeamos81[@]aol[.]com or on 01325 377463.
The free exhibition, at Old Shildon Workmen’s Club, will be opened by former Shildon player Eddie Swift at noon on Saturday 1 July and opens to the public from 1pm that day and then on around half the days throughout the month. Admission is free, children are welcome and there’s no obligation to spend anything over the bar.
Check the Durham Amateur Football Trust website for more information about exhibition days and times. Depending on its popularity, the exhibition may close earlier.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
