South Yorkshire Sports Stadium
 | |
| Location | Station Road, Wombwell, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°31′36″N 1°23′32″W / 53.52667°N 1.39222°W |
| Opened | 1928 |
| Closed | 1960s |
South Yorkshire Sports Stadium was a greyhound racing and speedway stadium on Station Road in Wombwell, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire. It was one of two greyhound tracks in the town; the other was called the Wombwell Greyhound Stadium.
Origins
[edit]The South Yorkshire Sports Stadium was constructed north of Station Road, south of Bulling Dike and accessed on a small road called Kent Row at the time.[1]
Opening
[edit]It opened unofficially on Saturday 17 April 1928 with 3,000 spectators raising £15 (the nights entrance fees) for local charities. One week later on Saturday 21 April 1928 the stadium officially opened charging 1/-, 2/- or 3/- for the relevant enclosures.[2] Speedway followed in 1929.
History
[edit]The greyhound racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the National Greyhound Racing Club) and was known as a flapping track which was the nickname given to independent tracks. The track was a popular venue with totalisator turnover peaking in 1946 at £64,255.[3]
The greyhound racing finished during May 1956.[2]
Speedway
[edit]Speedway was held sporadically from 1929 to 1965; the team were known as the Wombwell Colliers.[4]
The stadium was demolished and later became the Valley Road industrial area.
References
[edit]- ^ "OS County Series Yorkshire 1931". old-maps.co.uk.
- ^ a b Barnes, Julia. Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- ^ Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses. Licensing Authorities. 1946.
- ^ "Wombwell Speedway". Defunct Speedway Tracks.