South Yorkshire Sports Stadium

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.

South Yorkshire Sports Stadium
LocationStation Road, Wombwell, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Coordinates53°31′36″N 1°23′32″W
Opened1928
Closed1960s

Origins

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

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

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

Speedway was held sporadically from 1929-1965; the team were known as the Wombwell Colliers.[4]

The stadium was demolished and later became the Valley Road industrial area.

References
  1. "OS County Series Yorkshire 1931". old-maps.co.uk.
  2. Barnes, Julia. Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  3. Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses. Licensing Authorities. 1946.
  4. "Wombwell Speedway". Defunct Speedway Tracks.
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