 Interactive map of South Yorkshire Sports Stadium | |
| Location | Station Road,Wombwell, nearBarnsley,South Yorkshire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°31′36″N1°23′32″W / 53.52667°N 1.39222°W /53.52667; -1.39222 |
| Opened | 1928 |
| Closed | 1960s |
South Yorkshire Sports Stadium was agreyhound racing andspeedway stadium on Station Road inWombwell, nearBarnsley,South Yorkshire. It was one of two greyhound tracks in the town; the other was called theWombwell 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 theNational 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]
AfterWorld War II, the track was a popular venue withtotalisator 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 the1947 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 theWombwell Colliers.[8]
The stadium was demolished and later became the Valley Road industrial area.