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{{About|the former rugby union, speedway and greyhound racing venue in Exeter||County Ground (disambiguation){{!}}County Ground}}
{{Short description|Rugby union, greyhound racing and speedway stadium}}
{{About|the former rugby union, speedway and greyhound racing venue in Exeter||County Ground (disambiguation)}}
The '''County Ground Stadium''' was a rugby union, speedway and greyhound racing stadium in [[Exeter]], [[Devon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greyhoundracinghistory.co.uk/tracks.html|title=English independent greyhound tracks|publisher=Greyhound Racing History}}</ref> It was one of two separate venues in Exeter known as the County Ground, along with the still-used [[County Ground, Exeter|County Cricket Ground]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = County Ground Stadium
| nickname =
| image =
| location = [[Exeter]], [[Devon]]
| coordinates = {{coord|50|42|52|N|3|32|30|W|region:GB}}
| opened = 1929
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed = 2006
| owner =
| operator =
| surface =
| capacity = 5,200
}}


The '''County Ground Stadium''', also previously known as the '''Devon County Athletic Ground''', was a [[rugby union]], [[Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom|greyhound racing]] and [[Motorcycle speedway|speedway]] stadium in [[Exeter]], [[Devon]].
⚫
It was situated south of Cowick Street in the St Thomas Ward. The ground was formerly called the Devon County Athletic Ground before greyhound racing arrived in 1935 until 1986 and the [[Exeter Falcons]] speedway team rode there from 1947 until 2005. It was the home ground of Exeter Rugby Club (latterly [[Exeter Chiefs]]) prior to their move to [[Sandy Park]] in 2006; the stadium was demolished to make way for housing shortly afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/club-info/history/|website=Exeter Chiefs|accessdate=16 May 2015}}</ref> In September 1905, the County Ground staged the opening match of the [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand rugby team's]] first-ever [[The Original All Blacks|British tour]], against the Devon County XV. New Zealand's "All Blacks" nickname was first coined in media reports of their shock 55–4 victory over Devon.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Keating|first1=Frank|authorlink1=Frank Keating (journalist)|title=How the original All Blacks went down in the annals of history|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/nov/03/all-blacks-new-zealand-1905|date=3 November 2010|accessdate=16 May 2015|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

It was one of two separate venues in Exeter known as the County Ground, along with the still-used [[County Ground, Exeter|County Cricket Ground]]. It is also not to be confused with the [[Exeter Greyhound Stadium]] in [[Marsh Barton]] that also held greyhound racing and speedway.

==Origins==
The first sporting use of the site was the 19th century, where the land behind the church in St Thomas, just off Cowick Street, was used for cricket, football, wrestling, and other sports. By July 1841, over an acre of land had been developed to form a wrestling ring, with temporary raised covered seating. Wrestling was popular between hay and corn harvests, with prize money of 100 [[Sovereign (British coin)|sovereigns]].<ref name=mem>{{cite web|publisher=Exeter Memories|title=County Ground, Church Road, St Thomas|year=2006|url=http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/_sport/county_ground.php}}</ref>

In 1888, the field was put up for sale, and in 1893 it was purchased by the newly formed Devon County Athletic Company Ltd, led by former mayor [[Robert Pople]]. The company build the first permanent grandstand with a capacity of 700. As well as the field, the ground had an elliptical cycling track around the edge.<ref name=mem/>

The company funded work on the ground by issuing of £6,000 of share capital in £1 share lots.<ref>{{cite news|work=Western Times|title=Abridged prospectus: Devon County Athletic Ground Company Limited|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000265/18930424/042/0001|date=1893-04-24}}</ref>

The ground was used by users including:<ref name=mem/>
* [[Exeter Cathedral School]]
* Exeter Football Club (which was a rugby club)
* Civil service cricket club
* Exe Vale Cricket Club
* an annual horse show

==Early 20th century==
In 1901, for the coronation of [[Edward VII]], the ground hosted a sports day for the public, including [[egg and spoon race]], [[sack race]], and [[greasy pole]], a military tournament the following day, and the Exeter Horse Show.<ref name=mem/>

⚫
In September 1905, the County Ground staged the opening match of the [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand rugby team's]] first-ever [[The Original All Blacks|British tour]], against the [[Devon Rugby Football Union|Devon County XV]]. New Zealand's "All Blacks" nickname was first coined in media reports of their shock 55–4 victory over Devon.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Keating|first1=Frank|author-link1=Frank Keating (journalist)|title=How the original All Blacks went down in the annals of history|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/nov/03/all-blacks-new-zealand-1905|date=3 November 2010|access-date=16 May 2015|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

By November 1905, the Devon County Athletic Group company reported that the stadium was in dire financial trouble, and faced closure within 6 months,<ref>{{cite news|work=Exeter and Plymouth Gazette|title=Devon County Athletic Ground - Serious financial position|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000511/19051124/118/0014|date=1905-11-24}}</ref> but by 1907, they reported a healthy profit.<ref>{{cite news|work=Western Times|title=Devon County Athletic Ground Company|date=1907-11-23|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000265/19071123/007/0003}}</ref>

In 1911, the ground was once again the focus of coronation celebrations for [[George V]], including a display by over one thousand schoolchildren, and a grand firework display in the evening.<ref name=mem/>

The ground closed for [[World War I]], and in 1918 burned down, delaying reopening until 1921 with the construction of a new grandstand.<ref name=mem/>

In January 1929, Southern Speedways Ltd, led by Mr Seward Glanfield agreed a ten-year contract with the Devon Athletic Ground Company<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000511/19290122/049/0005 |title=Dirt Track |website=Exeter and Plymouth Gazette |date=22 January 1929 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 September 2024}}</ref> and the cycle track was ripped up, and replaced with a [[motorcycle speedway]] track.<ref>{{cite news|work=Western Morning News|title=New Devon Sports Venture|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000329/19290126/121/0011|date=1929-01-26|url-access=subscription |access-date=23 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Western Morning News|date=1929-01-26|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000329/19290126/169/0011|title=Dirt Track Racing}}</ref> The original company went into liquidation in 1930 after a year, but the track was taken on by a second promoter, but speedway stopped after only 2 years, closing in 1931 when the second promoting company went into liquidation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Exeter speedway|date=1931-08-08|work=Western Morning News|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000329/19310808/005/0004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Exeter and Plymouth Gazette|date=1931-08-07|title=Speedway Closes - Exeter promoting company in liquidation - second failure|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000511/19310807/092/0016}}</ref>

On Saturday 13 December 1930, promoters started independent (unaffiliated to a governing body) [[Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom|greyhound racing]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/291242/91681/12/100955|title=OS Plan 1967-1968|publisher=old-maps.co.uk}}</ref> with the {{convert|370|yards|metres}} track holding races over 250, 440, 620 and 810 metres. The track was described as a tight circuit with an almost square shaped track.<ref>{{cite book|last=Furby|first=R|title=Independent Greyhound Racing|pages =88|year=1968|publisher=New Dominion House}}</ref> Main competitions included the Spring Cup, Derby and St Leger and they had an 'Inside Sumner' hare system.<ref>{{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Julia|title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File|year=1988|publisher=Ringpress Books|isbn=0-948955-15-5}}</ref>

==From World War II==
The ground again closed for the [[Second World War]], being used as a military transport hub, but reopened afterwards.
{{main|Exeter Falcons}}
In 1947, the [[Exeter Falcons]] speedway team returned the sport to the ground,<ref>{{cite news|work=Western Morning News|date=1947-01-15|title=Speedway racing - Plans for resumption at Exeter|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000329/19470115/047/0005}}</ref><ref name=west1>{{cite news|work=Western Morning News|date=1947-03-27|title=Speedway racing|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000329/19470327/042/0005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Daily Herald|date=1947-03-22|title=Speedway carries on with some limitations|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000681/19470322/152/0006}}</ref> where they continued until 2005.<ref name=mem/> The restart of speedway at the County Ground including the first speedway in the country to feature a steel safety fence.<ref name=west1/>

The ground also continued to host the [[Exeter Chiefs]] rugby union team as the primary tenant.

==Closure==
It was the home ground of Exeter Rugby Club (latterly [[Exeter Chiefs]]) prior to their move to [[Sandy Park]] in 2006. [[Bellway Homes]] built 150 houses on the site shortly afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/club-info/history/|website=Exeter Chiefs|access-date=16 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220002404/http://exeterchiefs.co.uk/club-info/history/|archive-date=20 December 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{English greyhound tracks}}
{{Motorcycle speedway tracks}}


[[Category:Sport in Exeter]]
[[Category:Sport in Exeter]]
[[Category:Defunct greyhound racing venues]]
[[Category:Defunct greyhound racing venues in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct speedway venues in England]]
[[Category:Defunct speedway venues in England]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Devon]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Devon]]
[[Category:Defunct rugby union venues in England]]
[[Category:Defunct rugby union venues in England]]

{{stub}}

Latest revision as of 14:31, 23 September 2024

This article is about the former rugby union, speedway and greyhound racing venue in Exeter. For other uses, see County Ground (disambiguation).

County Ground Stadium
Map
LocationExeter, Devon
Coordinates50°42′52″N 3°32′30″W / 50.71444°N 3.54167°W / 50.71444; -3.54167
Capacity5,200
Opened1929
Closed2006

The County Ground Stadium, also previously known as the Devon County Athletic Ground, was a rugby union, greyhound racing and speedway stadium in Exeter, Devon.

It was one of two separate venues in Exeter known as the County Ground, along with the still-used County Cricket Ground. It is also not to be confused with the Exeter Greyhound Stadium in Marsh Barton that also held greyhound racing and speedway.

Origins

[edit]

The first sporting use of the site was the 19th century, where the land behind the church in St Thomas, just off Cowick Street, was used for cricket, football, wrestling, and other sports. By July 1841, over an acre of land had been developed to form a wrestling ring, with temporary raised covered seating. Wrestling was popular between hay and corn harvests, with prize money of 100 sovereigns.[1]

In 1888, the field was put up for sale, and in 1893 it was purchased by the newly formed Devon County Athletic Company Ltd, led by former mayor Robert Pople. The company build the first permanent grandstand with a capacity of 700. As well as the field, the ground had an elliptical cycling track around the edge.[1]

The company funded work on the ground by issuing of £6,000 of share capital in £1 share lots.[2]

The ground was used by users including:[1]

  • Exeter Cathedral School
  • Exeter Football Club (which was a rugby club)
  • Civil service cricket club
  • Exe Vale Cricket Club
  • an annual horse show

Early 20th century

[edit]

In 1901, for the coronation of Edward VII, the ground hosted a sports day for the public, including egg and spoon race, sack race, and greasy pole, a military tournament the following day, and the Exeter Horse Show.[1]

In September 1905, the County Ground staged the opening match of the New Zealand rugby team's first-ever British tour, against the Devon County XV. New Zealand's "All Blacks" nickname was first coined in media reports of their shock 55–4 victory over Devon.[3]

By November 1905, the Devon County Athletic Group company reported that the stadium was in dire financial trouble, and faced closure within 6 months,[4] but by 1907, they reported a healthy profit.[5]

In 1911, the ground was once again the focus of coronation celebrations for George V, including a display by over one thousand schoolchildren, and a grand firework display in the evening.[1]

The ground closed for World War I, and in 1918 burned down, delaying reopening until 1921 with the construction of a new grandstand.[1]

In January 1929, Southern Speedways Ltd, led by Mr Seward Glanfield agreed a ten-year contract with the Devon Athletic Ground Company[6] and the cycle track was ripped up, and replaced with a motorcycle speedway track.[7][8] The original company went into liquidation in 1930 after a year, but the track was taken on by a second promoter, but speedway stopped after only 2 years, closing in 1931 when the second promoting company went into liquidation.[9][10]

On Saturday 13 December 1930, promoters started independent (unaffiliated to a governing body) greyhound racing,[11] with the 370 yards (340 m) track holding races over 250, 440, 620 and 810 metres. The track was described as a tight circuit with an almost square shaped track.[12] Main competitions included the Spring Cup, Derby and St Leger and they had an 'Inside Sumner' hare system.[13]

From World War II

[edit]

The ground again closed for the Second World War, being used as a military transport hub, but reopened afterwards.

Main article: Exeter Falcons

In 1947, the Exeter Falcons speedway team returned the sport to the ground,[14][15][16] where they continued until 2005.[1] The restart of speedway at the County Ground including the first speedway in the country to feature a steel safety fence.[15]

The ground also continued to host the Exeter Chiefs rugby union team as the primary tenant.

Closure

[edit]

It was the home ground of Exeter Rugby Club (latterly Exeter Chiefs) prior to their move to Sandy Park in 2006. Bellway Homes built 150 houses on the site shortly afterwards.[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "County Ground, Church Road, St Thomas". Exeter Memories. 2006.
  2. ^ "Abridged prospectus: Devon County Athletic Ground Company Limited". Western Times. 24 April 1893.
  3. ^ Keating, Frank (3 November 2010). "How the original All Blacks went down in the annals of history". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Devon County Athletic Ground - Serious financial position". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 24 November 1905.
  5. ^ "Devon County Athletic Ground Company". Western Times. 23 November 1907.
  6. ^ "Dirt Track". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 22 January 1929. Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "New Devon Sports Venture". Western Morning News. 26 January 1929. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Dirt Track Racing". Western Morning News. 26 January 1929.
  9. ^ "Exeter speedway". Western Morning News. 8 August 1931.
  10. ^ "Speedway Closes - Exeter promoting company in liquidation - second failure". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 7 August 1931.
  11. ^ "OS Plan 1967-1968". old-maps.co.uk.
  12. ^ Furby, R (1968). Independent Greyhound Racing. New Dominion House. p. 88.
  13. ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  14. ^ "Speedway racing - Plans for resumption at Exeter". Western Morning News. 15 January 1947.
  15. ^ a b "Speedway racing". Western Morning News. 27 March 1947.
  16. ^ "Speedway carries on with some limitations". Daily Herald. 22 March 1947.
  17. ^ "History". Exeter Chiefs. Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
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