Ridley's Young Wallsend Football Ground - Edgeworth

Ridley's Young Wallsend Football Ground.

The Association Ground Young Wallsend(Edgeworth)

In January 1922 the Northern British Football Association purchased 5 acres of land, which was 100 yards from the tram station for the purpose of constructing a football ground. (Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 20 Jan 1922, Page 4 YOUNG WALLSEND)

The Parish Map (below) shows land owned by Gilbert Ridley (91) near the intersection of Main Road and Minmi Road. A valuation from the Department of the Valuer General NSW locates the 5 acres of land as being 'off Main Rd'. The land was called Ridley's Young Wallsend Football Ground. This land corresponds with Jack McLauglan Oval, the home ground of Edgeworth Eagles Football Club.

The demise of the Northern British Football Association led to interest in the land by the Lake Macquarie Shire Council during 1936/ Local residents had urged the council to acquire the ground so it could be used as a park. (Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 3 Jul 1936, page 18, LOAN OF £30,000)

An official of tile Northern District Soccer Football Association (Mr. L. B. Tamlyn) stated that the association's liabilities were so great that it would be necessary for it to realise on all its property. If a reasonable offer were made it would be considered. The President remarked that there was no park at Young Wallsend. On the motion of Cr. Johnson, the matter was referred to the Finance Committee. (Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 28 August 1936, page 12) 

The football ground at Young Wallsend had an area of five acres. The Valuer-General's valuation was £60. The Soccer Football Association had been asked to give the ground for use as a park, but the association asked that an offer be made for it. If it were decided to acquire the ground, he strongly advised that £20 be the maximum sum offered.  

(Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 25 Sept 1936, page 8, LAKE SHIRE)