Raikes Park Greyhound Stadium
| Location | Manchester Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester in North West England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 2° 24' 49.161"W 53° 34' 0.906"N |
| Opened | 1927 |
| Closed | 1996 |
Raikes Park Greyhound Stadium also known as Bolton Greyhound Stadium was a greyhound track in Bolton, Greater Manchester in North West England. It is not to be confused with the Westhoughton Greyhound Stadium, a track nearby in Westhoughton.
Origins and Opening
The stadium was built in the south west area of Bolton known as Burnden, off the Manchester Road and just south of Croft Street and north of Raikes Lane and very close to Burnden Park. The site was also the former location of the Great Lever Colliery.[1]
The stadium opened on Saturday 10 December 1927 and was named Raikes Park after the nearby Raikes Hall and Farm. A stand was constructed on the west side of the stadium that faced main Tramway, terraces and kennels were built alongside Raikes Lane to the south with further terracing constructed on the east side. The racing was independent (unaffiliated to a governing body).[2]
History
In 1932 the British Greyhound Tracks Control Society (BGTCS) was formed as a rival to the National Greyhound Racing Club and it included Bolton as one of its founder members. The organisation was established to assist the interest of promoters of mainly northern tracks. When the BGTCS disbanded Bolton reverted back to being independent.
After the war a chimney being demolished by steeplejacks fell in the wrong direction landing on a local cafe, power cables and the greyhound tracks kennels causing significant damage. Fred Dibnah witnessed the event watching from the allotments south of Raikes Lane; motivated by the event he became a steeplejack.[3]
In 1958 the track switched once again to NGRC racing for a short period before reverting back to independent status soon after for a third time. In the 1960's the track had a 440 yard circumference with distances of 313, 535, 745 & 980 yards and raced on Wednesday & Saturday nights at 7.45pm. It was considered the leading independent track and introduced the independent Derby over 535 yards which was one of the biggest events in the independent calendar. Track bookmaker Herbert Westwell was chosen to open the new £10,000 extension in 1969 as reward for his long service at the track.[4]
In 1977 the fifty year anniversary was celebrated by the Bolton Greyhound Racing Co. Ltd by organising a special meeting; 'The Jinx' won the first race (a handicap). In the 1980's Monday nights were added to the schedule during summer months and the track was converted to all-sand with an inside hare. Facilities included sixty kennels and three bars and a main stand.[5]
Final Years and Closure
In 1987 the track was sold to developers but the decision was overturned in 1990. Under the supervision of Racing Manager Peter O’Dowd one last attempt at NGRC racing was made in May 1995 under the permit scheme but racing only lasted until 23 December 1996.[6]
The stadium closed and was demolished and the site today is land between a Porsche garage and a BMW garage.
Speedway & Stock cars
Speedway ran for two years in 1928 and 1929 and there is also evidence of stock car racing.[7]
References
- ↑ "OS Plan Lancashire and Furness 1929". old-maps.co.uk.
- ↑ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. p. 276. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- ↑ Hall, David (2006). Fred. Bantam Press. pp. 21–22. ISBN 0-593-05664-7.
- ↑ Furby, R (1968). Independent Greyhound Racing. New Dominion House. p. 42.
- ↑ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. p. 277. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- ↑ Fry, Paul (1995). The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. Ringpress Books. p. 184. ISBN 186054-010-4.
- ↑ "Bolton Speedway". Defunct Speedway.co.uk.