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{{short description|Closed greyhound and rugby union venue in England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
⚫
{{Infobox stadium
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
⚫
| name = Gosforth Greyhound Stadium
⚫
{{Infobox venue
| nickname =
| name = Northumberland County Ground
⚫
| former names = Gosforth Greyhound Stadium
| image =
| image =
| fullname =
| fullname =
| location = [[Gosforth]], [[Tyne And Wear]]
| location = [[Gosforth]], [[Tyne And Wear]]
| coordinates =
| coordinates = {{coord|55|00|47|N|1|37|09|W|region:GB}}
| broke_ground =
| broke_ground =
| built =
| built =
| opened = 1932
| opened = {{start date|1932|df=yes}}
| renovated =
| renovated =
| expanded =
| expanded =
| closed = 1987
| closed =
| demolished =
| demolished = 1988
| owner =
| owner =
| operator =
| operator =
Line 24: Line 26:
| project_manager =
| project_manager =
| main_contractors =
| main_contractors =
| tenants = [[Northumberland Rugby Football Union|Northumberland Rugby Union]]
| former_names =
| capacity = 18,000<ref name="sitelines">{{cite web|url=http://twsitelines.info/SMR/6268|title=Gosforth, Great North Road, Gosforth Stadium|publisher=SiteLines|access-date=17 May 2018 }}</ref>
| tenants = Greyhound racing
| capacity =
| dimensions = 456 yards
| dimensions = 456 yards
| scoreboard =
| scoreboard =
}}
}}


'''Gosforth Greyhound Stadium''' was a [[Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom|greyhound racing]] stadium in [[Gosforth]], [[Tyne And Wear]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Julia|title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File|year=1988|publisher=Ringpress Books|isbn=0-948955-15-5}}</ref>
'''Northumberland County Ground''' or the '''Gosforth Greyhound Stadium''' was a rugby stadium and [[Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom|greyhound racing]] stadium in [[Gosforth]], [[Tyne And Wear]].


[[File:Northumberland County Ground 1965.jpg|thumb|Northumberland County Rugby and Greyhounds Ground, 1965]]
== Origins<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greyhoundracinghistory.co.uk/gosforth.pdf|title=Newcastle Gosforth|publisher=Greyhound Racing History}}</ref> ==
⚫
The urban district of Gosforth hosted greyhound racing from 1932 following the revamping of the existing County Athletic Ground. The athletic ground had been in use since the turn of the century but when greyhound racing plans were passed it underwent major re-construction turning into an impressive stadium structure. It was situated south of Harewood Road and north of Hollywood Avenue but could be accessed from the Great North Road or Hollywood Avenue and at the time would have looked vastly different from the built up area that it is today.


⚫
== Origins ==
== History<ref>{{cite book|last=Genders|first=Roy|title=The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing|year=1981|publisher=Pelham Books Ltd|isbn=07207-1106-1}}</ref> ==
⚫
The urban district of [[Gosforth]] hosted greyhound racing from 1932 following the revamping of the existing County Athletic Ground. The athletic ground had been in use since 1900 as the Gosforth Cycling Grounds but when greyhound racing plans were passed it underwent major re-construction.<ref name="sitelines"/> The [[Northumberland Rugby Football Union]] took out a 15-year lease on the Gosforth Cycling Tracks at a cost of £80 per annum in 1912 (the County finally purchased the ground in 1923).It was situated south of Harewood Road and north of Hollywood Avenue but could be accessed from the Great North Road or Hollywood Avenue, and at the time had a fraction of the housing that exists in the area today.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/424449/568810/10/101861|title=OS County Series Northumberland 1920-1921|publisher=old-maps.co.uk}}</ref>
⚫
The County Ground opening night for greyhound racing was on 21st May 1932 thus becoming the third major track in Newcastle at the time. It was licenced at different times by both the [[National Greyhound Racing Club]] (NGRC) and the short lived British Greyhound Tracks Control Society (BGTCS). The circumference of the track was 456 yards with initial distances of 420 & 520 yards.


== Opening ==
⚫
Covered stands surrounded the entire track culminating with two major stands on the home and back straights. The north stand on the back straight included a club enclosure downstairs. The Sports Club was situated between the third and fourth bends and the Stadium Club could be found on the opposite side of the track. A large paddock and resident kennels were set back behind the Stadium Club with further isolation kennels and paddocks not far from the second bend area. The racing kennels were near the first bend next to the Northumberland Rugby Union Pavilion, the latter served as the dressing rooms and offices for the Northumberland RFU that used the centre green as their pitch.
⚫
The opening night for greyhound racing was on 21 May 1932 thus becoming the third major track in [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] area at the time. It was licensed at different times by both the [[National Greyhound Racing Club]] (NGRC) and the short lived British Greyhound Tracks Control Society (BGTCS). The circumference of the track was 456 yards with initial distances of 420 and 520 yards.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ash|first=Edward C|title=The Book of the Greyhound|year=1933|publisher=Hutchinson & Co}}</ref>


⚫
Covered stands surrounded the entire track culminating with two major stands on the home and back straights. The north stand on the back straight included a club enclosure downstairs. The Sports Club was situated between the third and fourth bends and the Stadium Club could be found on the opposite side of the track. A large paddock and resident kennels were set back behind the Stadium Club with further isolation kennels and paddocks not far from the second bend area. The racing kennels were near the first bend next to the Northumberland Rugby Union Pavilion, the latter served as the dressing rooms and offices for the [[Northumberland Rugby Football Union|Northumberland RFU]] that used the centre green as their pitch.<ref name=HT>{{cite book|last=Tarter|first=P Howard|title=Greyhound Racing Encyclopedia|year=1949|publisher=Fleet Publishing Company Ltd}}</ref> [[Gosforth Rugby Football Club|Gosforth RFC]] played home games at the stadium before moving to their own ground at North Road in 1955.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Gosforth RFC|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/gosforthrfc/a/history-of-gosforth-rfc-42063.html|website=Gosforth RFC|access-date=14 February 2017}}</ref>
⚫
The Gosforth Stadium Greyhound Racing Company Ltd established the track as a leading Newcastle track just behind [[Newcastle Stadium|Brough Park]] in terms of totalisator turnover and attendances.


== History ==
⚫
Following the closure of [[White City Stadium (Newcastle)|White City - Newcastle]] in 1951 the Racing Manager Mr Greggs joined Gosforth before Mr Martin became Racing Manager succeeded by Mr Slater in 1959. Just like White City the majority of the greyhounds were owned by the company and trained by the resident trainers resulting in very little open race action. Racing took place on Monday and Friday evenings at 7.30pm on a peat surface with an ‘Inside Sumner’ hare.
⚫
The Gosforth Stadium Greyhound Racing Company Ltd established the track being just behind [[Newcastle Stadium|Brough Park]] in terms of [[Tote board|totalisator]] turnover and attendances.<ref>{{cite book|title=Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses|year=1946|publisher=Licensing Authorities}}</ref>


⚫
Following the closure of [[White City Stadium (Newcastle)|White City Stadium in Newcastle]] in 1951 the Racing Manager Mr Greggs joined Gosforth before Mr Martin became Racing Manager succeeded by Mr Slater in 1959. Just like White City the majority of the greyhounds were owned by the company and trained by the resident trainers resulting in very little open race action. Racing took place on Monday and Friday evenings at 7.30pm on a peat surface with an 'Inside Sumner' hare system.<ref name=RG>{{cite book|last=Genders|first=Roy|title=The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing|year=1981|publisher=Pelham Books Ltd|isbn=07207-1106-1}}</ref> In 1959 a grader called Wine Steward (a June 1950 whelp) was retired after competing in 508 races and 118 wins.<ref>{{cite news|title=Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1959) August edition|newspaper=Greyhound Star}}</ref>
⚫
During the sixties the track was acquired by the Totalisators and Greyhound Holdings (T.G.H) who were actively purchasing tracks at the time to increase their portfolio. In 1966 rival track [[Redheugh Park|Gateshead]] closed and in 1974 TGH was bought out by [[Ladbrokes]] who persuaded Arthur Aldridge to leave the [[Greyhound Racing Association]] (GRA) and take over as racing director. Four years later Paul Richardson took over the Racing Managers chair at Brough Park and Gosforth.


⚫
During the 1960s the track was acquired by the Totalisators and Greyhound Holdings (T.G.H) who were actively purchasing tracks at the time to increase their portfolio. In 1966 rival track [[Redheugh Park|Gateshead]] closed and in 1974 TGH was bought out by [[Ladbrokes]] who persuaded Arthur Aldridge to leave the [[Greyhound Racing Association]] (GRA) and take over as racing director.<ref name=RG/> In 1977 a graded greyhound called Gorton Road won her 100th race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://greyhoundstar.co.uk/remember-july-2-6/|title=Remember When - July|date=15 July 2018 |publisher=Greyhound Star}}</ref> One year later in 1978, Paul Richardson took over as Racing Manager at Brough Park and Gosforth.<ref name=RG/>
⚫
== Closure ==
⚫
Ladbrokes began to sell of the tracks in their portfolio and with the sale of Brough Park in 1983 the new promoters of Brough Park stopped their trainers from supplying runners to Gosforth leaving the track in a tight situation for the supply of runners. It was the beginning of the end for Gosforth before the stadium was finally sold for re-development in 1987. The last meeting was held on 7th August 1987 and today the site is covered by an ASDA superstore.


==Rugby==
Rugby arrived on the ground in 1912.<ref name="sitelines"/> The [[Northumberland Rugby Football Union]] had taken a 15-year lease on the Gosforth Cycling Tracks at a cost of £80 per annum in 1912 (the County finally purchased the ground in 1923).Two clubs also played there; [[Northern FC]] until 1937, and [[Newcastle Falcons|Gosforth (Newcastle Falcons)]], until 1955.<ref name="sitelines"/> A brick rugby clubhouse was built in the 1930s to replace an earlier wooden structure at the South West side of the stadium.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}


== See also ==
== Speedway ==
The stadium ran speedway for two years in 1929 and 1930, the latter hosting the [[Newcastle Diamonds|Newcastle speedway team]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Gosforth.htm |title=Newcastle Speedway (Gosforth) |website=Defunct Speedway |access-date=11 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gosforth Speedway closed down |work=Chester-le-Street Chronicle and District Advertiser |date=26 September 1930 |access-date=11 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002932/19300926/084/0005 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
*[[Greyhound racing]]

== Closure ==
[[File:ASDA Gosforth.jpg|thumb|Asda Gosforth was later built on the site of the stadium|alt=A 1980s medium-sized supermarket building, viewed from across the Great North Road]]
⚫
Ladbrokes began to sell off the tracks in their portfolio and with the sale of Brough Park in 1983 the new promoters of Brough Park stopped their trainers from supplying runners to Gosforth, leaving the track under pressure for a supply of runners. The track's promoter Jim Glass made the decision in 1985 to leave the NGRC and race independently blaming NGRC costs as the reason.<ref>{{cite news|title=Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When) October edition|year=2012|newspaper=Greyhound Star}}</ref> It was the beginning of the end for Gosforth before the stadium was finally sold for re-development in 1987. The last meeting was held on 7 August 1987<ref>{{cite news|title=Closures and openings over the past 10 years, July 1993, page 18|year=1993|newspaper=Greyhound Star}}</ref> and today the site is occupied by an [[Asda]] superstore.<ref>{{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Julia|title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File|year=1988|publisher=Ringpress Books|isbn=0-948955-15-5}}</ref>

==Track records==
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%"
|-
!width=50| Distance <br>yards
!width=200| Greyhound
!width=50| Time
!width=150| Date
!width=150| Notes
|-align=center
|300|| Parkroe Sport ||16.94 ||27 June 1964||
|-align=center
|475|| Carefree Rambler ||27.82 ||22 May 1948||
|-align=center
|520|| Traders Token ||30.04 ||1947||
|-align=center
|520|| Jersey Belle ||29.95 ||8 May 1948||
|-align=center
|520|| Fitz's Oliver ||29.78 ||5 July 1965||
|-align=center
|520|| Hack Up Georgie ||29.59 ||1970||
|-align=center
|520|| Lights of Old Head ||29.60 ||23 July 1960||handicap
|-align=center
|520|| Hack Up Georgie ||29.64 ||1970||
|-align=center
|666|| Shady Wonder ||39.13 ||1970||
|-align=center
|666|| Always Lucky ||39.17|| 26 September 1960||handicap
|-align=center
|736|| Shady Steam ||43.58 ||1970||
|-align=center
|736|| The Humbug ||43.30|| 1970||handicap
|-align=center
|936|| Seven Bells ||58.40 || 1970||
|}


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


[[Category:Defunct greyhound racing venues]]
{{English greyhound tracks}}
{{Motorcycle speedway tracks}}
⚫
[[Category:Greyhound racing venues in the United Kingdom]]

⚫
[[Category:Sport in Tyne and Wear]]
⚫
[[Category:Defunct greyhound racing venues in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:1932 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1932 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1987 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:1987 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:Defunct rugby union venues in England]]
⚫
[[Category:Rugby union in Northumberland]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1932]]
[[Category:Sports venues demolished in 1987]]
[[Category:Demolished sports venues in the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 22:13, 20 November 2024

Northumberland County Ground
Map
Former namesGosforth Greyhound Stadium
LocationGosforth, Tyne And Wear
Coordinates55°00′47″N 1°37′09″W / 55.01306°N 1.61917°W / 55.01306; -1.61917
Capacity18,000[1]
Field size456 yards
Surfacepeat
Construction
Opened1932 (1932)
Demolished1988
Tenants
Northumberland Rugby Union

Northumberland County Ground or the Gosforth Greyhound Stadium was a rugby stadium and greyhound racing stadium in Gosforth, Tyne And Wear.

Northumberland County Rugby and Greyhounds Ground, 1965

Origins

[edit]

The urban district of Gosforth hosted greyhound racing from 1932 following the revamping of the existing County Athletic Ground. The athletic ground had been in use since 1900 as the Gosforth Cycling Grounds but when greyhound racing plans were passed it underwent major re-construction.[1] The Northumberland Rugby Football Union took out a 15-year lease on the Gosforth Cycling Tracks at a cost of £80 per annum in 1912 (the County finally purchased the ground in 1923).It was situated south of Harewood Road and north of Hollywood Avenue but could be accessed from the Great North Road or Hollywood Avenue, and at the time had a fraction of the housing that exists in the area today.[2]

Opening

[edit]

The opening night for greyhound racing was on 21 May 1932 thus becoming the third major track in Newcastle area at the time. It was licensed at different times by both the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) and the short lived British Greyhound Tracks Control Society (BGTCS). The circumference of the track was 456 yards with initial distances of 420 and 520 yards.[3]

Covered stands surrounded the entire track culminating with two major stands on the home and back straights. The north stand on the back straight included a club enclosure downstairs. The Sports Club was situated between the third and fourth bends and the Stadium Club could be found on the opposite side of the track. A large paddock and resident kennels were set back behind the Stadium Club with further isolation kennels and paddocks not far from the second bend area. The racing kennels were near the first bend next to the Northumberland Rugby Union Pavilion, the latter served as the dressing rooms and offices for the Northumberland RFU that used the centre green as their pitch.[4] Gosforth RFC played home games at the stadium before moving to their own ground at North Road in 1955.[5]

History

[edit]

The Gosforth Stadium Greyhound Racing Company Ltd established the track being just behind Brough Park in terms of totalisator turnover and attendances.[6]

Following the closure of White City Stadium in Newcastle in 1951 the Racing Manager Mr Greggs joined Gosforth before Mr Martin became Racing Manager succeeded by Mr Slater in 1959. Just like White City the majority of the greyhounds were owned by the company and trained by the resident trainers resulting in very little open race action. Racing took place on Monday and Friday evenings at 7.30pm on a peat surface with an 'Inside Sumner' hare system.[7] In 1959 a grader called Wine Steward (a June 1950 whelp) was retired after competing in 508 races and 118 wins.[8]

During the 1960s the track was acquired by the Totalisators and Greyhound Holdings (T.G.H) who were actively purchasing tracks at the time to increase their portfolio. In 1966 rival track Gateshead closed and in 1974 TGH was bought out by Ladbrokes who persuaded Arthur Aldridge to leave the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) and take over as racing director.[7] In 1977 a graded greyhound called Gorton Road won her 100th race.[9] One year later in 1978, Paul Richardson took over as Racing Manager at Brough Park and Gosforth.[7]

Rugby

[edit]

Rugby arrived on the ground in 1912.[1] The Northumberland Rugby Football Union had taken a 15-year lease on the Gosforth Cycling Tracks at a cost of £80 per annum in 1912 (the County finally purchased the ground in 1923).Two clubs also played there; Northern FC until 1937, and Gosforth (Newcastle Falcons), until 1955.[1] A brick rugby clubhouse was built in the 1930s to replace an earlier wooden structure at the South West side of the stadium.[citation needed]

Speedway

[edit]

The stadium ran speedway for two years in 1929 and 1930, the latter hosting the Newcastle speedway team.[10][11]

Closure

[edit]
A 1980s medium-sized supermarket building, viewed from across the Great North Road
Asda Gosforth was later built on the site of the stadium

Ladbrokes began to sell off the tracks in their portfolio and with the sale of Brough Park in 1983 the new promoters of Brough Park stopped their trainers from supplying runners to Gosforth, leaving the track under pressure for a supply of runners. The track's promoter Jim Glass made the decision in 1985 to leave the NGRC and race independently blaming NGRC costs as the reason.[12] It was the beginning of the end for Gosforth before the stadium was finally sold for re-development in 1987. The last meeting was held on 7 August 1987[13] and today the site is occupied by an Asda superstore.[14]

Track records

[edit]
Distance
yards 		Greyhound Time Date Notes
300 Parkroe Sport 16.94 27 June 1964
475 Carefree Rambler 27.82 22 May 1948
520 Traders Token 30.04 1947
520 Jersey Belle 29.95 8 May 1948
520 Fitz's Oliver 29.78 5 July 1965
520 Hack Up Georgie 29.59 1970
520 Lights of Old Head 29.60 23 July 1960 handicap
520 Hack Up Georgie 29.64 1970
666 Shady Wonder 39.13 1970
666 Always Lucky 39.17 26 September 1960 handicap
736 Shady Steam 43.58 1970
736 The Humbug 43.30 1970 handicap
936 Seven Bells 58.40 1970

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Gosforth, Great North Road, Gosforth Stadium". SiteLines. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  2. ^ "OS County Series Northumberland 1920-1921". old-maps.co.uk.
  3. ^ Ash, Edward C (1933). The Book of the Greyhound. Hutchinson & Co.
  4. ^ Tarter, P Howard (1949). Greyhound Racing Encyclopedia. Fleet Publishing Company Ltd.
  5. ^ "History of Gosforth RFC". Gosforth RFC. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  6. ^ Particulars of Licensed tracks, table 1 Licensed Dog Racecourses. Licensing Authorities. 1946.
  7. ^ a b c Genders, Roy (1981). The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. Pelham Books Ltd. ISBN 07207-1106-1.
  8. ^ "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When 1959) August edition". Greyhound Star.
  9. ^ "Remember When - July". Greyhound Star. 15 July 2018.
  10. ^ "Newcastle Speedway (Gosforth)". Defunct Speedway. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Gosforth Speedway closed down". Chester-le-Street Chronicle and District Advertiser. 26 September 1930. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ^ "Monthly Greyhound Star (Remember When) October edition". Greyhound Star. 2012.
  13. ^ "Closures and openings over the past 10 years, July 1993, page 18". Greyhound Star. 1993.
  14. ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
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