The Field was used for the Hartlepool Horticultural Show on 2nd August 1870, the sports at the show included velocipede races and there was a good attendance of 2,000. The main velocipede race was for machines with wheels under 39", first prize was a silver cup valued at £4 10s, which was won by J Weighill of Northallerton, six ran. There were three other velocipede races, for wheels under 36", for local riders and for boys under fifteen years old.
The velocipede races continued at the show for a further two years, but were then dropped and it would be a further ten until the next bicycle racing took place. Hartlepool Athletic Association held a sports meeting on Whit Monday 1884 and a one mile handicap bicycle race was included, which was won by local man Joseph Hill** off 20 yards behind scratch. The field was the home of Hartlepool Rovers from 1883.
The lease for Friarage Field was due to expire in 1886 and Smith's Charities had indicated that they intended to sell the land for housing, however Hartlepool Rovers FC succeeded in obtaining a seven year lease on the Field for an annual rent of £67 10s.
A one mile cyclist vs horse match was arranged on Whit Monday 1886, when JG Manners rode his safety bicycle against F Lamb's trotting horse.
The Hartlepool Fanciers Society held a gala and sports on Whit Tuesday 1892 and included bicycle races. This event was held for the next ten years. At the 1898 meeting, Harry Kitching, the famous unicyclist, rode his eccentric wheeled machine and attempted the world one mile unicycle record.
Hartlepool Rovers held a sports meeting on 26th August 1893, the club needed to raise money because several of their recent fixtures had been cancelled because of the very cold weather. There were fourteen events which included half and one mile bicycle races, both attracted 26 entries. There was dancing in the evening to the Temperance Band and the Recreation Band.
Hartlepool Harriers Cycling Club started holding their annual sports on Wednesday evening 31st July 1895, which they continued for the next four years, then they moved to the Victoria football field.
After a lengthy absence, cycle races were again held at the ground on 5th August 1926 for the town carnival event, which included a half mile bicycle race. This was probably the last bicycle racing at the ground.
In 1946 Hartlepool Rovers FC moved their headquarters to the New Friarage on West View Road and the Old Friarage was used mainly by Henry Smith Grammar School. In the mid-1960's the Boy's Brigade Old Boy's rugby club acquired the use of the Friarage and they still play at the ground.
** Joseph Hill was a well known amateur racing man in West Hartley. He ran a bicycle depot on Whitby Street, West Hartlepool and was the local Swift safety bicycle dealer . In 1889, he cleared a site near St Paul's churchyard and in 1890, he open a Bicycle Racing Ground which was also known as Hill's bicycle track.
^^ Henry Smith (1548-1628), a wealthy London salter and alderman, left his estate in trust for charitable purposes. The trust supported a hospital at the Friarage and in recent times helped young people under 25 years old in need of financial support for education or training.
