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The following is an extract from Sid Grant's 'The History of Coalfields Soccer':

Over the years, doubt has been expressed about the birth of soccer in Cessnock.

To get down to the basic truths, Sid Grant, a well known historian, undertook a detailed research including personal interviews with old Bob Harden (ex-West Wallsend skipper), Tom Rennex, ‘G ‘Tup’’ Rennex, Alf Brunskill, Alec Renfrew and others.

But the truth of this problem came out when a former Secretary of the NDBFA, Mr George Reay of Dudley, presented Sid with both the official minute book and registrar of players book for the period 1902–1911.

This indicated clearly that soccer started in Cessnock in April, 1907. A group of 15 sportsmen met on a vacant allotment just south of the Cessnock railway station. Many of these enthusiasts were recent arrivals from Minmi, West Wallsend, Greta and Stockton.

The first ground was a large vacant area near where the Aberdare Park was established 15 years later.

In 2007, the club celebrated its centenary, with historian Sid Grant confirming the 1907 founding date through original minute and player registrar books from 1902–1911.

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