Preston Greyhound Stadium

Last updated
Preston Greyhound Stadium
Preston Greyhound Stadium
LocationAcregate Lane, Preston
Coordinates 53°46′01″N2°40′19″W / 53.76694°N 2.67194°W / 53.76694; -2.67194
Opened1932
Closed1988

Preston Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium in Acregate Lane, east of Preston, Lancashire, England.

Contents

Origins

A company called the Preston Greyhound Racing Association had employed a local labour force to build and run a new greyhound stadium situated in the Ribbleton Ward in east Preston. [1] The site chosen was partly on a recreation ground next door to the 1914 built Waverley Park Cotton Mill (the last cotton mill to be built in Preston). The track which was on the south side of houses on Miller Road was accessed from Acregate Lane. [2]

Racing was planned for every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings; this was common practice at the time and before a restriction was introduced as to which nights tracks were allowed to race. The paddock and racing kennels were literally constructed next door to houses in Oxley Road which must have been very noisy for the residents during racing. The greyhounds would only be housed during racing with the resident kennels situated on a 26-acre site called Sykes Holt in the village of Mellor Brook six miles to the east. There were 100 kennels with the addition of rest kennels and exercising accommodation. [3]

Opening

The opening meeting took place on On Thursday 5 May 1932 under National Greyhound Racing Club rules. Sir Meyrick Hollins the High Sheriff of Lancashire and chairman of Preston North End F.C. officially declared the stadium open. The first winner that night was Quaker Prince over 527 yards in a time of 32.33 secs watched by an estimated crowd of 7,000. [1]

Early history

In 1933 the Preston Greyhound Racing Association opened a second track called Derby Greyhound Stadium. Despite the Great Depression greyhound racing was financially successful. [4]

Mr E Harrison became the Racing Manager in the early 1950s and would remain in the position for twenty years.

1960s

During the 1960s the George Gooch trained Stately Boy claimed both the Ebor Stakes and Lincoln competitions and kennelmate Greenane Token won the Midland Flat trophy, the only other trainer attached to Preston at the time was Bill Keenan. [5]

Racing was now restricted to licensed race days and Preston raced every Thursday and Saturday at 7.15pm with the feature annual event being the Lancashire Puppy Championship. R W Payne former White City, Manchester Racing Manager joined the track as general manager and joint-racing manager. [5]

1970s

In 1971 Jack Hurt joined the training ranks that would increase and consist of Farringdon, Humphreys, Mengala and Mercer. In 1972 there was a major fire which resulted in serious damage to the main stand and required a significant rebuild. [5]

Sister track Derby suffered a shortage of dogs in 1976 which resulted in the Preston trainers supplying greyhounds for the track. In May 1978 Preston itself was suffering from financial troubles and was forced to close but would re-open the same year under independent rules (unaffiliated to a governing body). [6]

1980s

The track remained independent for ten years offering a significant prize of £2,500 to the winner of the annual Preston Derby. The owner, Frank Boyle, brought in Peter O’Dowd as general and racing manager. [6]

Closure

The ownership of the track switched to David Webb, who then sold the track for housing. By coincidence former sister track Derby also closed during 1988.greyhound racing The last meeting was held at Preston on 3 December 1988, and today the stadium site would be found where the housing exists on Canterbury Road and Harling Road. [6]

Track records

Distance
yards
GreyhoundTimeDate
440Rathia Cutlet25.3422.08.1964
440Stately Boy25.2530.08.1966
520Plenty of Action30.061947
520Shaggy Peter29.7908.06.1949
520Bowness Snow29.8216.07.1966
725Boothroyden Flash42.3522.08.1964

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romford Greyhound Stadium</span> Greyhound racing track in east London

Romford Greyhound Stadium, referred to as Coral Romford Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Romford town centre in the London Borough of Havering in east London which is owned and operated by the Ladbrokes Coral group. The stadium has a capacity for over 1,700 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owlerton Stadium</span> Sports stadium in Sheffield

Owlerton Stadium, also known as Sheffield Stadium, is a purpose-built speedway track built in 1929 which also hosts greyhound racing The track is in Owlerton near Hillsborough in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Greyhound racing takes place on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings and every Monday and Thursday afternoon. There is a modern glass-fronted Panorama Restaurant accommodating up to 300 people, executive suites, fast food facilities and a number of bars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hackney Wick Stadium</span> Former stadium in Hackney, London

Hackney Wick Stadium was a greyhound racing and speedway stadium located at Waterden Road in Hackney Wick, London, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wimbledon Stadium</span> Former greyhound racing track in London, England

Wimbledon Stadium, also known as Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium, was a greyhound racing track located in Wimbledon in southwest London, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium</span> British greyhound racing venue

Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in the Hove Park area of the city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex. The stadium also has a restaurant and a number of bars and is owned by the Gala Coral Group and race meetings are held every Thursday and Saturday evening, in addition to three afternoon meetings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newcastle Stadium</span> Greyhound racing venue in England

Newcastle Stadium is a greyhound racing and former motorcycle speedway stadium, located on The Fossway, Byker, Newcastle. Racing at the stadium takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The circumference of the greyhound track is 415 metres. From 1929 until mid-2022, speedway racing took place at the stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monmore Green Stadium</span> British greyhound racing venue

Monmore Green Stadium is a greyhound racing and former motorcycle speedway stadium located in Wolverhampton. The stadium has private suites, a restaurant and a number of bars. The venue is owned and operated by the Ladbrokes Coral group.

The Clapton Stadium, also known as Millfields Road, was a football ground and greyhound racing stadium in the Lower Clapton area of London.

Southend Stadium was a former greyhound racing and football stadium in Grainger Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. It was also the home ground of Southend United between 1934 and 1955 and was also known as Greyhound Park.

The Birchfield Ladbroke Stadium, also known as the old Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium or Alexander Sports Stadium was a former greyhound racing and Motorcycle speedway stadium in Birchfield in the north of Birmingham, England.

The Gloucester and Cheltenham Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium situated in Longlevens, some 7 miles from Cheltenham and 3 miles from Gloucester, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derby Greyhound Stadium</span>

Derby Greyhound Stadium or Derby Stadium was a greyhound racing venue in Derby, England.

Elland Road Greyhound Stadium also known as Leeds Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

White City Stadium (Nottingham) was a greyhound racing and motorcycle speedway stadium in Trent Lane, Nottingham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wandsworth Stadium</span> Former greyhound racing venue in London

Wandsworth Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium in Wandsworth, London, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reading Stadium (Oxford Road)</span>

Reading Stadium (Oxford Road) was a greyhound racing stadium and short lived speedway venue in Reading.

Charlton Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium in Charlton, London.

Huntingdon Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

Parkwood Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound racing and football stadium on Craven Road in Keighley, West Yorkshire.

Stamford Bridge Greyhounds was the greyhound racing operation held at Stamford Bridge in London.

References

  1. 1 2 "Greyhound Racing Begins, Friday 6 May". Lancashire Evening Post. 1932.
  2. "OS County Series Lancashire and Furness 1938". old-maps.co.uk.
  3. Tarter, P Howard (1949). Greyhound Racing Encyclopedia. Fleet Publishing Company Ltd. p. 63.
  4. Genders, Roy (1975). The Greyhound and Racing Greyhound. Page Brothers (Norwich). ISBN   0-85020-0474.
  5. 1 2 3 Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN   07207-1106-1.
  6. 1 2 3 Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN   0-948955-15-5.