A donation page set up to prevent north east non league club Bedlington Terriers from folding after facing eviction from their stadium.
The JustGiving page reads: “Bedlington Terriers FC have been playing football at Dr Pit park for over 40 years.
“Recent issues with the lease have seen us evicted by Northumberland County Council from our home ground forcing us to find somewhere else to play.
“Fortunately we have managed to secure a ground, Unfortunately this will come at a cost.
“Without any income from our clubhouse and kitchen we look to you the fans to help fund the pitch and referee fees for this season.
“If we cannot raise funds this will be the end of Bedlington Terriers FC.
“We would be grateful for any donation large or small.
“Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
“Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, I will withdraw funds directly. It’s the most efficient way to donate and saves time and costs.”
What a shame to have to play in Ashington instead of bedlington. Was westlea or Gallagher not an option? The demise of the terriers is awful remember fondly going with my Granda when I was younger. Thinking of the likes of Joanne long time fan who will not make it to ashington.
— Jason Wearmouth (@Jasonwearmouth) July 15, 2025
The ground has to meet the league guidelines for step 7 football ie dug outs, security fencing etc the alternative grounds available and those suggested by the council didn’t do this.
— Bedlington Terriers FC (@BTFCOfficial) July 17, 2025
CLUB UPDATES:
“NCC (Northumberland County Council) what are you doing trying to kicking a long standing football club that has been around for 74 years, 50 at Welfare Park.
“please call NCC. Ask what’s going on please, they after 12 years don’t recognise our 99 year lease, and because we didn’t get the lease for the 3G they now say we don’t have a lease, so want us out of Welfare Park, they won’t talk to us unless we agree a lease with jrs football teams, HOLD ON so after wanting to give a new £600k investment INTO BEDLINGTON a new state of the are 3G pitch, that would have allowed hundreds of kids teams to play at Welfare Park but stopped by NCC, CISWO and charitys commission they all want us to include it on 1 grass pitch no?
“So they’ve at the moment locked us out, stopped the use of the clubhouse for the community , this will also take away disabled people access to enjoy the football and the clubhouse. what a shame on NCC . They have told Northumberland FA
“We have nowhere to play after 50 plus years at welfare park, in 50 years NCC have not put a foot inside or done any work to the place, yet now they want to kick Bedlington Terriers out of Dr Pit park. will they compensate that money spent for upkeep for 50 years.
“you can’t put 10 teams on 1 grass pitch
“We have kept quiet to try and get this resolved but today’s actions are terrible for a community.”
11 July – “Come on NCC take the boards down and give us our club back, we can work out a new lease and work together for BEDLINGTON TERRIERS And our TOWN!”
Christine Taylor wrote: “Bedlington Terriers are a key part of our county and we want to see their teams thrive. The Council has done everything within its powers to find a solution here.
“Bedlington Terriers FC 2022 CIC previously occupied the land without a lease in place, and the continued occupation of the ground was a breach of the Charitable Trust governing use of the site.
“However, matters have now been overtaken by events and as the company has been struck off, the Council has had to step in as a responsible landowner and trustee.
“The Council as Charitable Trustee of the land has no option but to ensure the land is vacated and returned to its charitable use.
“The future of the site will be considered in due course and this could include its use for community sport.
“All Bedlington County Councillors are working with everyone involved to help”
Bedlington replied: On these comments. The truth is we where late with out accounts, we have gained an extension and the company wil be active again very soon, NCC have never been near Welfare Park for 50 years, they have never done any upgrades at welfare park for 50 years.
“The buildings belong to David Perry who got permission to build off NCC many years ago, NCC give the club a new lease in 2013 for 99 years, they now don’t recognise this.
“There may have been changes but most of the people are the same people volunteering not getting anything out of it.
“We don’t have the money jr teams get so its hands in pockets for a few of us, locals help out and to us it’s a wonderful place, it’s our place!
“We had a £600k business plan excepted for a new 3G pitch but stopped by CISWO, CC and NCC.
“It’s a shame they can do this at a drop of a hat using tax payers money to kill a long standing club.
“We held talks to NCC for 3 years, Glen Sanderson was on national tv saying we will do anything to help
“Now they won’t talk to us. The upkeep over 40 years will run into hundreds of thousands will NCC pay that money back .
“BTFC have been kicked in the nuts.
“Here’s the betting . Terriers kicked out, within a year place given to a jr team, very shortly followed by a new 3G pitch. Paid for by the tax payer and profits heading well will head somewhere.”
Bedlington Terriers FC, 12 July – “There have been lots of posts regarding the club these last few days. We have been frustrated, the council have issued their response, we’ve had comments of support, comments of negativity, those who know best, those who want to know more. Whatever you may think of Bedlington terriers as a club let’s just take a minute to think of the REAL people this means so much more to.
“To the man in his 70’s who attends the ground daily to do odd jobs and keep things ticking over.
“To the supporter in her 50s, devoted to the club who has been attending since she was 14 reminiscing about times with her dad who is no longer here.
“To every volunteer who has given whatever they could to greet fans at the gate, make a cup of tea, serve burger and chips, be a friendly face and talk to friends and strangers alike.
“To every footballer, coach, manager who has ever stepped out on to the pitch and felt more than a team but part of a club steeped in history.
“To the Wembley heroes who still visit the club and created our place in history for the club and town.
“To the young players of today making the first steps on the pitch full of hope.
“To the group of locals who enjoy catching up over a pint in the clubhouse, some socially anxious seeing it as a safe haven.
“To the man who has lost his wife and spends time keeping busy to think of ways he can help to support the club.
“To the retired couple volunteering to paint small areas where they can, trying to make the place presentable when there are no funds.
“To every person who has been part of a charitable event raising money for something close to their heart and creating special memories with Bedlington Terriers.
“Small in number and at times a feeling of ‘we may not have it all together, but together we have it all’.
“It’s these people who can’t enter through the blocked up doors and the impact for those individuals is REAL!
“Whatever you think of the club, let’s all get behind this and drive this. Northumberland County Council we want to work with you and get this done in the right way.”
Bedlington Terriers FC, 14th July: “As Northumberland county council have evicted us from our home
we plan to hold a demonstration at 1pm market place square.
“Please share and come along to protest against NCC and the treatment of BEDLINGTON TERRIERS.
“Supporters old and young, players past and present everyone welcome. No market place shops, no train and now no Bedlington Terriers at Welfare Park, What is next!
“Please join us on Saturday 19th July 1pm, Market place.”
15th July – “So NCC have kicked us out, we have found a temporary home, we need to train n play but they won’t let us in for our strips n gear to play. NCC what are you doing have you no shame.”
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