[3] In 1897, the ground hosted its first Minor Counties Championship match when Northumberland played Durham.

From 1897 to the present day, Osborne Avenue has hosted 457 Minor Counties Championship[4] and 24 MCCA Knockout Trophy matches.

[9] Northumberland County Cricket Club encountered financial difficulties in 2004, leaving them with the possibility of having to move from the ground, which is owned by a group of trustees.

The campaign was supported by Newcastle City Council,[1] sporting icon Sir Bobby Robson, as well as figures from the cricketing world such as England and Durham bowler Steve Harmison, who acted as the campaigns patron.

Other notable players lent their support to the campaign, including Australian Dennis Lillee who wrote: “Most cricket grounds are forgettable.