In 1879, some teachers had a dream...
When James Allan and the Sunderland District Teacher’s Association met back in October 1879, they declared under ‘Any Other Business’ that they had formed a football team. That team was known as Sunderland & District Teacher’s Association Football Club, better known nowadays of course as Sunderland AFC.
They played their first official home game at the Blue House Field in Hendon, Sunderland where they stayed for 2-years. Since then, that first venue has been many things, including a primary school. Over the years, the site was neglected, under-used and became blighted by fly-tipping and vandalism. It was a huge shame for a ground of such historical significance to the City of Sunderland to have been left to deteriorate in this way.
We’re delighted to say that is now no longer the case! Invigor8 North East (CIC) moved in with a view to reinvigorating the site and give it back to the local community and the people of this magnificent city. The football pitch itself has been (and continues to be) well maintained and is used by young grassroots footballers from Sunderland and beyond!
VALLEY ROAD COMMUNITY PARK
When we officially moved into the site back in August 2024, it looked nothing like this! This picture was taken in November 2024 after 3-months of blood, sweat and tears. The site was overgrown with thick bramble bushes, dead trees, and weeds, not to mention the huge amount of litter, debris and fly-tipping all around the site. The vegetation was so thick and tangled, we could barely get in through the gates to get started! Whilst we undertook a vast of amount of the clearance work ourselves during the early stages, we have been helped hugely along the way by some amazing people, to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude.
We now have a number of grassroots football teams who hire our pitch for training and games, with two Sunderland City Juniors teams who now call it their official home ground, SCJ Scott U12 and SCJ Defoe U11, as well as several of the Silksworth Youth FC teams.
YOU CAN HIRE THIS PITCH TOO…
To check availability, hire rates and to book, contact us on
VALLEY ROAD COMMUNITY PARK
When we officially moved into the site back in August 2024, it looked nothing like this! This picture was taken in November 2024 after 3-months of blood, sweat and tears. The site was overgrown with thick bramble bushes, dead trees, and weeds, not to mention the huge amount of litter, debris and fly-tipping all around the site. The vegetation was so thick and tangled, we could barely get in through the gates to get started! Whilst we undertook a vast of amount of the clearance work ourselves during the early stages, we have been helped hugely along the way by some amazing people, to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude.
We now have a number of grassroots football teams who hire our pitch for training and games, with two Sunderland City Juniors teams who now call it their official home ground, SCJ Scott U12 and SCJ Defoe U11, as well as several of the Silksworth Youth FC teams.
YOU CAN HIRE THIS PITCH TOO…
To check availability, hire rates and to book, contact us on info@invigor8northeast.com or, via Facebook Messenger.
ADVERTISE @ VALLEY ROAD
OUR SESSIONS
We run free weekly sessions throughout the year and we’re always launching more! We publish the sessions here…
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT US?
We want to make supporting Invigor8 North East as easy as possible and mutually beneficial. This is why we have signed up to Easyfundraising and the Grassroots Sport Lottery. Just by shopping online and trying to win a prize (or a few quid) you will automatically be helping our projects! Apart from your wager on the Grassroots Sports Lottery or, your online shopping bill, it won’t cost you an extra penny!
Nowadays, most people prefer to do their shopping online. Whether that be the weekly grocery shop or, the impulsive Amazon purchase, it’s even easier to buy what you need with the click of a mouse, all without leaving your house.
This is where you can help! Click here and whenever you shop online, Invigor8 North East receives a donation…and it doesn’t cost you an extra penny. Over 7000 online retailers have already signed up to the platform so, get shopping!
People buy lottery tickets every week with the hope of winning big money but, do you honestly know where the proceeds go and which organisations and people it helps?
Invigor8 North East are delighted to announce that we have signed up to the Grassroots Sport Lottery. You have the chance to purchase tickets for only £1 to win big cash prizes and, you’ll be helping to support us with our ongoing development and enhancement of Valley Road Community Park at the same time! Click here to find out more.
Our funders, associates and generally amazing people who are supporting our project!
