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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
After World War II, the track was a popular venue with totalisator turnover peaking in 1946 at £64,255. The Wombwell public were also keen for speedway to return and formed a Supporters Club in January 1947, which was duly followed by the construction of a speedway oval around the greyhound racing track ready for the 1947 Speedway National League Division Three season.
The greyhound racing finished during May 1956.
Speedway
Speedway was held sporadically from 1929 to 1965; the team were known as the Wombwell Colliers.
The stadium was demolished and later became the Valley Road industrial area.
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