Wingate Grange Colliery was in operation between 1839 and 1962 with up to 1500 employees. In 1930 a welfare park was built to provide recreation facilities for the miners, their families and the wider community. The Parish Council bought the park from British Coal in 1994, facilities include a wooded area and pond, a bowling green, play equipment and two football pitches.
There’s been a number of clubs in Wingate throughout the years which have played at the welfare, but the current team in the former pit village - Wingate AFC, play Wearside League football at nearby Wellfield School. However, the ground is back in use, with Shotton Colliery FC having their reserve team playing there in the WL Third Division. The ground still has signs of where the stand was, with the old terrace and a remaining dugout.
Shotton Colliery Reserves 1Billingham Synthonia Reserves 1
Wearside League Third Division matchday 20/22 (14th v 10th) 2pm ko Att.43hc
The Yakkas looked to have the match won courtesy of a Peter Johnson penalty, but the visitors snatched a point in the last minute.
0-0 half time 1-0 Peter Johnson 52’ pen 1-1 #2 (tbc) 90’
#Heedhopper 24 mile drive door-to-door
Current Wearside League grounds visited 43/45
A double mission down to Wingate today, not just the ground to tick, but also RPMdiscs record shop,where I picked up some good bargains.
