A PUB named after one of the country's most famous amateur football clubs will be demolished to make way for ten homes.
The Two Blues pub, in Douthwaite Road, Woodhouse Close, is the subject of a planning application lodged with Wear Valley District Council this month.
Its name was inspired by Bishop Auckland Football Club, who won the FA Amateur Cup ten times in their dark and light blue quartered shirts.
But the club is currently enduring a less illustrious period in its history and the Kingsway ground they called home for more than 100 years was bulldozed in 2002.
Another link to the team's glorious past is about to disappear in the shape of the landmark pub, which has been closed for several months.
UK Listings, based in Felling, near Gateshead, has applied to build ten three-bedroomed homes on the site, and Wearmouth Architectural Design has drawn up the plans.
Tony Duffy, the football club's vice-chairman and secretary and a fan since the 1960s, used to live yards from the pub as a youngster.
He said: "I've always associated it with the club, just because of the name.
"It must have gone back to the Fifties - the club's golden age.
"I'm sad about the news, because it's another link to the club that will be going. I know it had been closed for a while, but it was always a focal point and it's a shame to see it go."
The establishment was also the scene of fundraising efforts for charities.
Amy Ballan, whose daughter worked at the pub for 17 years, organised several events, which were always well-supported by people living on the estate.
She said: "We raised thousands for charity at the Two Blues.
"It got a bit of a name in its heyday, and sometimes a few lads got a bit rowdy, but they do in any pub.
"But some of the most kind-hearted people you'll ever meet came in there."
UK Listings and Wearmouth Architectural Design declined to comment on the application, which will be considered by the council's development control committee at a later date.
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