It was in 1884 that the first mention of an organised soccer team in Spittal appeared but they were called the Seaside Rovers, a title retained for some time before they became Spittal. Their first opponents were Berwick Rangers and many of the friendly games were fiercely contested. Shielfield Rangers were also established around the same time, based in Tweedmouth and they, too, were regular oppo
nents for the Rovers. Before the turn of the century the Rovers and the Shielfield team merged and local historian Michael Cullen, whose second book on Victorian Spittal was published a few years ago, included a chapter on the early days of the Seaside Rovers. He revealed that the merger lasted for only a year before there was a split and Spittal embarked on a long career under the Northumberland Football Association. They were usually successful and names like Richard (Dickie) Rowntree and Willie Whitehead became strongly linked with their progress, playing prominent roles on the committee before and after the second World War. Although, initially, Spittal were bitter rivals of Berwick Rangers they eventually established a working relationship and became a "reservoir of talent" for the black and gold. After dominating the North Northumberland League in the late 1970s, Spittal switched to the Border Amateur League for the first time. In their first season they won a trophy, in their second they achieved the rare feat of winning three - the Waddell, the Wright and the Walls. It took them four years to achieve promotion and they went on to take the First Division title. Their ambition fired, they switched back to Northumberland, and joined the Northern Alliance - a competition which opened the way up through the pyramid system to the Northern League. It also forced them to end their long association with Billendean, their official ground for so many years because improved facilities were needed, they swiched across the river to play at Newfields, at the opposite end of town. The Rovers worked their way quickly through the Third, the Second and then settled in the Premier Division. They appeared at St James's Park, Newcastle in the final of the Minor Cup and they won the Benevolent Bowl, but in the last years before Rovers were wound down they struggled to attract players, merging with another club in the same predicament at the time. Highfields United, to form Berwick United. They are now no longer in existence and changed back to Highfields after just a couple of seasons.
2015 saw the club revived and a Robson Cup triumph / 2nd placed finish in NNL2 achieved. A successful application then saw Rovers re-enter the Northern Alliance, where they started in the 3rd tier. 146 fixtures were played during this time before a move over the Border into the Border Amateur League where they lifted the C Division at the first attempt. Unfortunately, despite a successful season, the summer of 2022 saw the end of the club with player numbers and availability the core issue. The locals clearly hold this great club close to their hearts with many friends & relatives appearing for the club over the years.
