Bedlington United A.F.C.

Bedlington United was formed in or before 1897,[3] and in that year became a founder member of the East Northumberland Combination.[4] The team played in the East Northumberland League from 1902,[3] and their 1907–08 league title preceded election to the Northern Alliance.[5][3] Bedlington regularly finished in mid-table in the seasons running up to the war; their best result was fourth in 1911–12.[6] In 1913, a stand was built at their Hollymount ground, and the sale of advertising space within the ground contributed to the club's finances.[3] However, the land was requisitioned in 1920 by the local council for house building, and the club moved to a site in Church Lane to be known as Burdon Park.[7]

Bedlington continued in the Northern Alliance for one post-war season and were then accepted into the North-Eastern League.[8][7] They finished bottom in their first season, but were reprieved by four teams leaving to join the newly formed Football League Third Division North, and continued in mid-table or below until 1929–30, when a bottom-place finish meant they were relegated to the North-Eastern League Second Division.[9] Runners-up spots in 1934 and 1935 did not bring promotion, and when the North-Eastern League reverted to a single division, Bedlington joined the re-formed Northern Alliance.[10][8] They struggled on for two seasons, but after a third in which they finished bottom of the table,[10] conceded eight goals both at home and away to Newcastle United "A",[1] failed to win away from home until the penultimate match of the season,[11] and had three players fail to turn up for the last home fixture,[12] the club resigned. Its structure as a limited liability company combined with a longstanding lack of interest from the shareholders had made it impossible to continue. A public meeting agreed to set up a new club with the intention of replacing it in the Northern Alliance,[2] but there were five clubs applying for three vacancies and Bedlington were unsuccessful.[13]

Bedlington United first entered the FA Cup in 1908–09, and entered every season until 1927–28; their last participation was in 1935–36. Their best performance was in 1926–27, when they reached the second round proper before losing heavily to North-Eastern League rivals Carlisle United.[14][15] They beat favourites Blyth Spartans 5–0 to win the Northumberland Senior Cup for the first time in 1923, and won it again in 1928.[16][17]