The sporting Villages
Sport was very important in the lives of the pit villages, it allowed the miner to forget about the pit, and enjoy the fresh air and meet his friends. There were a number of sports that were enjoyed besides football there was cricket, hockey, handball, and quoits to name a few.
Durham Football Association was formed on 25th May 1883, the first meeting being held in the "Three Tunns hotel" Durham
The first record I can find of Herrington playing in the league was in the Sunderland District League. The match was against "Sunderland Teachers", the ref was Mr. F. Dale. Talking about refs, the first ref from Herrington was Mr.E.T. Hall of 3 New Pit, Herrington. He was involved on the 7th Oct 1899 in the Durham Cup Competition.
Herrington beat Sunderland Teachers, but were knocked out in the next round by Sunderland Olympia.
There were quite a few local teams such has Herrington Shamrocks, Herrington Swifts, Philadelphia Power Station, Shiney Row Athletic
Here follows a match report.
Durham Aged Miners Cup third round 6th December 1907
Herrington Swifts v Houghton Rovers
At Herrington nearly 3000 spectators (yes 3000) saw the match.
Metcalf (Houghton) kicked off and Houghton took up the running, but were repulsed. Herrington came away and Harrison skimmed the bar. Houghton awarded a penalty for handling, but Thorburn missed by yards. Metcalf (Herrington) after some clever work on the right wing, beat Ferris with a clever shot.
The second half got under way and Dixon for Herrington shot passed Metcalf and rang rings around Houghton, but could not score. Houghton nearly scored but Naisby saved from Wardropper and Greenwell the final score was Herrington 1 Houghton 0