South Yorkshire Sports Stadium
 Interactive map of 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 |
| Construction | |
| 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.[3]
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.
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
[edit]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.
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.
- ^ "Wombwell Venture". Sheffield Independent. 10 May 1929. Retrieved 19 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "The World of Sport". Sheffield Independent. 17 February 1932. Retrieved 22 February 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses. Licensing Authorities. 1946.
- ^ "Wombwell Speedway". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 25 January 1947. Retrieved 22 February 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Wombwell Speedway". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 12 April 1947. Retrieved 22 February 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Wombwell Speedway". Defunct Speedway Tracks.