Northern Football Club

Northern Football Club was founded in 1875 as Elswick Football Club but was renamed in its second season changing the team’s colours to red white and blue, which have remained the team strip throughout its history and is the oldest Rugby Football Club in Newcastle upon Tyne. Northern originally played at Mill Inn, Westgate but were forced to alternate playing grounds and remained without a ‘home ground’ for over 60 years. In 1937, McCracken Park was purchased and was officially named after the then Club President Angus McCracken and has operated at McCracken Park ever since. In 1956, squash courts were added to the club, with further courts added in 1974. On 18 December 1994, the present clubhouse was opened at a cost of £1 million.