This information is based on the historical account of Wallsend Football Club collected by Allan James Russell and John Grahame Kemp. The club is endlessly grateful for the effort put into managing this information, keeping the history of club alive.
THE TRYING TIMES [1969-2007]
While W.F.C. still had a number of good seasons during this period, it never really dominated. There were still a number of players that went on to play at state and national levels but the period did not shine for Wallsend as it had done in the past.
This period saw the end of Crystal Palace being available as a home ground in 1985, and also saw the club for the first time being relegated from the highest division in 1981. During these times, Wallsend has, in some years, struggled to maintain its status as a premier club and had lost the opportunity of playing at a permanent home ground. Only through the hard work of the club’s committee and the support of its few sponsors has the club continued to exist.
The First Bill Turner Cup, a 15-and-under High School Football knockout tournament was first contested at Crystal Palace in 1979.
On 15th August 1981, Wallsend played their last ever First Division game at Crystal Palace.
In 1982, a committee was formed to manage the operation of the W.F.C. and formed a separate club from the licensed club due to the financial difficulties that Wallsend was facing. Bob Frame returned in this year as coach to assist the club.
In 1985, Wallsend lifted to finish the season as undefeated minor premiers only to be defeated in the Grand-Final. 18th August 1985 was the last time that Wallsend played at Crystal Palace, defeating Edgeworth 3-1. Tony Reay scored the last ever goal at the famous ground, which was to be converted into the current Stockland Wallsend Shopping Plaza centre after being purchased by New World Properties. Crystal Palace was W.F.C.’s home ground for sixty five years [1921 – 1985].
Following from Wallsend’s undefeated run in 1985, they were promoted back to the higher division in 1986 only to be demoted once again in 1990 as the side failed to attract strong players without the majestic Crystal Palace.
Without a home ground Wallsend moved to the International Sports Centre at Broadmeadow and continued to train at the Crystal Palace. On 12th May 1987, the last training session was held at Crystal Palace. Training was then transferred to Jesmond Park. This was due to work to demolish the clubhouse, grandstand and change rooms, commencing in that year.
In 1988, Wallsend’s home ground was moved part way through the season from the ISC to Adamstown Oval. In 1989, the club finished on the bottom of the table and was relegated to the lower division when Northern NSW Football promoted 3 teams from the lower division. This devastated the club and saw many first grade players leave for other clubs in 1990.
During 1990, Wallsend played their home games at Austral Park. The money from the sale of Crystal Palace was used to help develop the park and to establish the Newcastle Breakers in the National Soccer League.
Construction of the Breakers Stadium started in 1991, and Wallsend Football Club were like gypsies in this year, playing at four different home grounds throughout the year. Despite this, Wallsend managed to finish second in the competition.
In 1994, everything seemed to come together with the appointment of Richard Hartley as coach, Wallsend attracted a number of strong players, with the home ground at the new Breakers Stadium and remained undefeated throughout the season, culminating in a Grand Final win. Ultimately this enabled the club to be promoted back to the premier division in 1995.
Wallsend continued to play in the higher division for the next six years. In 2000, Wallsend was forced to relocate to Lymmington Park at Cardiff due to increased rental imposed by the Breakers consortium. As a result, Wallsend lost many of its senior players and was forced to field a young side. The final result was that Wallsend was relegated to the lower division in 2001.
The start of 2001 looked grim. The club held two extraordinary meetings to determine whether the club would be disbanded to lack of funds and people prepared to run the club. The ground at Lymington was not available and Wallsend were once again moved but to more familiar territory in Wallsend Park, although this was the first time since 1921 that Wallsend played at an unfenced ground.
In 2002, Wallsend started to gather momentum with the home ground being back at Breakers Stadium, now renamed as The Gardens. In 2003, construction on the dog track at The Gardens forced the club back to Wallsend Park for home games but the club still managed to be awarded club champions with top four positions in all three grades, with reserve grade taking minor premiers.
In 2004 and 2005, the first grade side lost some strength but the reserve grade side stood strong and took major premier wins each year. 2006 saw First Grade back in the top two, just missing the minor premiership and promotion by one win.
In 2007, the club was disheartened and many players and support left the club. Since then the club has been struggling to survive and once again is facing financial difficulties. With the new criteria being imposed by NNSWF, this could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. This is why Wallsend Football Club needs the community to rally together behind the club to ensure that its history can not only continue but prosper into the future.
THE GREAT YEARS [1920-1968] THE REBUILDING OF THIS GREAT CLUB [2007-NOW]