Great Houghton Greyhound Track was a greyhound racing track located on High Street, Great Houghton, South Yorkshire.[1]
 | |
| Location | High Street, Great Houghton, South Yorkshire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°33′10″N 1°21′03″W / 53.55278°N 1.35083°W |
| Opened | 1935 |
| Closed | 1954 |
Origins
editThomas Jeffries Sides, the Mayor of Pontefract and Managing Director of the Pontefract Park Race Company and the Carters Knottingley Brewery Co Ltd allowed the construction of a second greyhound track on land owned by company; the first was in Upton, West Yorkshire.[2] A third track (Pontefract Greyhound Stadium) was also owned by the company which was run by W. J. Wilby following the death of Sides in 1938.[3]
Greyhound racing
editThe track was adjacent to the Old Hall Inn and was leased and opened by Mr J Button in 1935. The racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the National Greyhound Racing Club).[4][5]
Following the death of Mr. Button in February 1941, the company bought the Old Hall Inn and found a new tenant Mr H.O.Butterfield. The site was valued in 1950 at £350, much less than sister track Pontefract. Mr. M.T. Armin took over in 1953, paying £200 for the fixtures and fittings and a lease of £25 per year.[6]
Closure
editDue to falling attendances racing stopped in June 1954 and the field was incorporated into the tenancy of the inn.[4]
References
edit- ^ "OS Plan 1955-1956". old-maps.co.uk.
- ^ "Pontefract Race Company - 3 October 1935". Leeds Mercury. 1935.
- ^ "Pontefract Race Company - 7 July 1938". Leeds Mercury. 1938.
- ^ a b Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. p. 417. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- ^ "GREAT HOUGHTON GREYHOUND STADIUM". Greyhound Derby.com.
- ^ "Hotels Licensed Premises - 28 February 1941". Yorkshire Evening Post. 1941.