Photograph courtesy of Phillip Wright
First of all, it gives me pleasure to write for the magazine, and we wish you well for the future where we will hopefully give you updates about the club.
The club was first inaugurated in the 1918-1919 season, operating in the old Victory league, formed in celebration of the end of the First World War.
Afterwards, the team was admitted to the North Eastern League where they played for two seasons before being admitted to Division 3 North in 1921. The club operated in that league until 1928, when they failed to gain re-election and were replaced by Carlisle United F.C.
The club reformed in 1950 and gained admission to the Wearside League, where they operated until 1952 before joining the Northern League where they remained until 2008. At the end of the 2007/08 season, their second Championship winning season the club finally achieved promotion to the UniBond First Division North.
The club has occupied five different grounds since its formation. In their first season the club played at Garden House Park before moving to Kepier Heughs, near to the old Ferens Park ground where they stayed for four seasons.
The club then moved on to Holliday Park (named after the late Alderman T.W. Holliday) where they stayed until 1938. The club’s fourth ground, named after the late Alderman H.C. Ferens, was acquired when the club reformed in 1950. Alderman Ferens was for many years, prior to his death in 1975, President of the club and a generous benefactor in connection with the purchase of the land for that ground. Ferens Park was at that time probably one of the most attractive grounds in the Northern League. The ground hosted the club’s largest attendance, which stands at 7,000, for an F.A. Cup Second Round tie against Tranmere Rovers on 7 November 1957 which City lost 0-3.
City left Ferens Park at the end of their first Championship winning season in 1993-94 because their ground wasn’t completed on time in order to join the Northern Premier League. After ground-sharing with Chester-le-Street Town for a season the club moved to its fifth ground – New Ferens Park.
Durham recently moved out of the ground in November 2015 and are currently looking for land to build a new home in or around the City of Durham after differences with the landlords. The club is hoping to make an announcement at the end of the current season.
The club have and will be making changes to what they believe is most important and that is to keep Durham City AFC alive and will play their remaining home game at Belle View home of Consett AFC and will also include new board members manager players and volunteers.
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Written by Gary Hutchinson
