Tramway Ground  Hamilton

The Tramway Ground opened for use in 1920 with the first game played on Saturday 24 July. It was bounded by Lawson and Denison Streets and Everton Street to the south. Though newspaper articles also report its location being Gordon Avenue, the ground was aligned along Lawson Street. (The Newcastle Sun, 16 June, 1922, page 3) Since it was near the tram depot it was named The Tramway Ground. In June 1920 the enclosed ground was secured for three years (The Newcastle Sun Fri 11 Jun 1920 p 2). The ground became a weekly ritual for fans who attended the 'Match of the Day'. Crowds of 2,000 were common.

The first senior football match was the Gardiner Cup game between Hamilton Athletic and Adamstown Rosebud on Saturday 24 of July (The Newcastle Sun, Fri 23 Jul 1920, p 3).

It was decided by the Northern District British Football Association, the controlling body at the time, that the most attractive fixture of each round would be played on the ground. It was an ideal location to assist the development of the game. The sandy soil meant that games could be played even after heavy rain.

On Wednesday 24 May 1922 it was reported that a representative game would be played between Newcastle and Queensland on 3 June at the Tramway Ground. All local games were deferred except the Adamstown v Killingworth second grade fixture which would serve as the curtain raiser. The grandstand was officially opened on the day (The Newcastle Sun, Wed 24 May 1922 p 2). Queensland won the game 5 - 2. The grandstand cost 1,402 ponds and was officially opened by the Mayor of Hamilton, Alderman Townsend. The grandstand could seat 1,000 spectators. The stand was built with a loan which the NDBFA Treasurer, Mr. R. Skillings was guarantor. (The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954) 13 March 1925, page 2)

The ground was popular with football followers. In the 1924 season a total of 48,172 attended matches at the ground. Unfortunately, at the end of the 1925 season, the lease was not renewed. Extensions to the Gordon Avenue tramway depot required the land which the football ground occupied. (Newcastle Herald, 9 February, 1926, page 5)