Great Houghton Greyhound Track

Great Houghton Greyhound Track was a greyhound racing track located on High Street, Great Houghton, South Yorkshire.[1]

Great Houghton Greyhound Track
LocationHigh Street, Great Houghton, South Yorkshire
Coordinates53°33′10″N 1°21′03″W
Opened1935
Closed1954

Origins

Thomas 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

The 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

Due to falling attendances racing stopped in June 1954 and the field was incorporated into the tenancy of the inn.[4]

References
  1. "OS Plan 1955-1956". old-maps.co.uk.
  2. "Pontefract Race Company - 3 October 1935". Leeds Mercury. 1935.
  3. "Pontefract Race Company - 7 July 1938". Leeds Mercury. 1938.
  4. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. p. 417. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  5. "GREAT HOUGHTON GREYHOUND STADIUM". Greyhound Derby.com.
  6. "Hotels Licensed Premises - 28 February 1941". Yorkshire Evening Post. 1941.
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