It’s been donkeys years since I last visited The Sir Tom Cowie Millfield which means the ground has never featured on this website. I traveled down to County Durham to watch Dunston take on The Black and Ambers in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup and to also take an album of pictures for the blog.The club have played at Millfield since the club formed in 1889, purchasing the ground from the local rugby club for £625. In 1896 they joined the Northern League from the Bishop Auckland and District League.
They won the first of five FA Amateur Cup in 1901 defeating King's Lynn 3–0 after a replay. Further success in the competition came at the old Wembley Stadium with victories over Bishop Auckland (1953) Barnet (1959) Hounslow Town (1962) and Enfield (1964)The Northern League was first won in 1914-15 and further championships have been few and far between, claiming the title in 1926–27, 1952–53, 1958–59, 1962–63.
Crook made the first of three tours to Spain in 1913 which included matches against played Barcelona, who they played a total of 10 times following subsequent tours in 1921 and 1922. Crook born Jack Greenwell played on the first tour and stayed on to play for Barcelona. Jack went on to manage the Catalan club and also the Spanish national team before coaching all over the world during the 1930's.
The ground is one of the best in the Northern League with a traditional stand and large covered terrace on one side. There's a standing terrace behind one goal and hard standing with grass banking on the far side and behind the top goal.
Dunston continued their fabulous start to the season with an emphatic 6-0 win at Millfield, coasting into the Preliminary Round where they will face Holker Old Boys in a fortnights time.First Visit
Ground no.99
Thursday 20th November 2003
Barcelona Cup
Crook Town 1 (Morris 43)
Newcastle United 10(og 7 Ambrose 10 O'Brien 19, 21 Guy 30, 32, 71, 89 Gate 76 Brittain 86)
Att.1000est
Latest Visit
Saturday 15th August 2015
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Crook Town 0
Dunston UTS 6(Bulford 6 Wilkinson 13 Smith Richardson Halliday 77 Kemp 86OG)
Att.TBC
Admission £5
Programme £1
