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| Location | Station Road, Wombwell, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°31′36″N1°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.
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]
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. [3]
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.
In February 1932 the end of speedway was confirmed because the circuit was converted to accommodate a new greyhound racing track, which had been the original purpose of the track back in 1928. [4]
After World War II, the track was a popular venue with totalisator turnover peaking in 1946 at £64,255. [5] The Wombwell public were also keen for speedway to return and formed a Supporters Club in January 1947, [6] which was duly followed by the construction of a speedway oval around the greyhound racing track ready for the 1947 Speedway National League Division Three season. [7]
The greyhound racing finished during May 1956. [2]
Speedway was held sporadically from 1929 to 1965; the team were known as the Wombwell Colliers. [8]
The stadium was demolished and later became the Valley Road industrial area.