This section will look at a number of people with associations to our area and have made a name for themselves in the sporting world and include the following footballers:

• Arthur Purdy, to the best of our knowledge, the first professional footballer to come from Evenwood. He signed for Tottenham Hotspurs and played for Luton Town and Blackpool amongst others.
• Joseph Bowman, played for Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield in the 20s & 30s.
• Jackie Bell, played for Newcastle United in the 50s.
• David Carrick, played for various Football League teams in the late 60s/early70s.
• John Peddelty, played for Ipswich Town under Bobby Robson in the 70s.
• Steve Vickers, Middlesbrough legend under Bryan Robson, played with and against the best in the Premiership.
• Tony McMahon, England youth international and another Middlesbrough stalwart, still in the game, coaching.
• Barry Bolton, signed for Chelsea but a broken leg halted his career but he enjoyed success in Australia.

And at the local level:

• Billy Bell, Evenwood footballer and Northern League multi-title winning manager.
• Jack Kilcran, post war Evenwood Town legend.
• Robin Gill, played 25 years in the Northern League for West Auckland and Spennymoor United during the 80s and 90s.
• Cyril Gowland, well respected player in the 50s and 60s from Cockfield who played for West Auckland, Evenwood Town and the FA Amateur Cup giants of the day, Crook and Bishop Auckland.
• Johnny Weir, FA Amateur cup winner with Crook Town and Evenwood Town regular.

Of the above, John, Steve, Tony, Jack, Robin and Johnny all played cricket for Evenwood C.C.

This post is “work in progress” so details will be provided periodically.  Click on a name and if we’ve done them, details should come up.

If anyone would like to nominate any other candidates in any sport, then please let us know.