Catford Stadium
Encyclopedia
Catford Stadium was a historic greyhound
track in Catford
, a suburb of London
. It was open between 1932 and 2003, when it was closed by its commercial operator Wembley . The local amateur side, Catford Wanderers
, were mooted to move into the stadium, though this dream was never realised. The stadium has caught on fire and has since been demolished, along with the scoreboard.
, Lester Piggott
, Lennox Lewis
, Frank Bruno
and Leslie Grantham
Adam Waller appeared to present trophies to the winners.
Greyhound racing as a whole in the UK has been in terminal decline for several decades now, as there were once 33 greyhound stadiums alone in London, now only three are left (Crayford, Romford and Wimbledon
).
meetings were held on a track constructed inside the dog track. In 1949 permission was sought to operate speedway
from the stadium again but permission was refused.
Not to be confused with The Mount stadium, another stadium in Catford
.
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
track in Catford
Catford
Catford is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Architecture:...
, a suburb of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was open between 1932 and 2003, when it was closed by its commercial operator Wembley . The local amateur side, Catford Wanderers
Catford Wanderers
Catford Wanderers Sports Club is on Beckenham Hill Road, behind the large Homebase. It consists of 3 sport sections, Cricket, Tennis and Badminton.- Catford Wanderers Cricket Club :...
, were mooted to move into the stadium, though this dream was never realised. The stadium has caught on fire and has since been demolished, along with the scoreboard.
Greyhound racing
In its heyday before the legalisation of bettings shops in the 1960s, the stadium attracted large crowds, and celebrities such as Henry CooperHenry Cooper
Henry Cooper may refer to:*Sir Henry Cooper , British Heavyweight boxer*Henry Cooper from Tennessee*Henry Cooper , English recipient of the Victoria Cross...
, Lester Piggott
Lester Piggott
Lester Keith Piggott is a retired English professional jockey, popularly known as "The Long Fellow". With 4,493 career wins, including nine Epsom Derby victories, he is one of the most well-known English flat racing jockeys of all time....
, Lennox Lewis
Lennox Lewis
Lennox Claudius Lewis, CM, CBE is a retired boxer and the most recent British undisputed world heavyweight champion. He holds dual British and Canadian citizenship...
, Frank Bruno
Frank Bruno
Franklin Roy Bruno MBE is an English former boxer whose career highlight was winning the WBC Heavyweight championship in 1995. Altogether, he won 40 of his 45 contests...
and Leslie Grantham
Leslie Grantham
Leslie Michael Grantham is an English actor best known for his role as "Dirty" Den Watts in the soap opera EastEnders. He is also a convicted murderer, having served 10 years for the killing of a German taxi driver, and he generated significant press coverage as the result of an online sex scandal...
Adam Waller appeared to present trophies to the winners.
Greyhound racing as a whole in the UK has been in terminal decline for several decades now, as there were once 33 greyhound stadiums alone in London, now only three are left (Crayford, Romford and Wimbledon
Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Wimbledon in southwest London, England. It also hosts speedway, stock car and other racing events....
).
Controversy
Before it closed the stadium was embroiled in controversy, when in 2001, a trainer Lennie Knell was caught on camera admitting overfeeding dogs to slow them down , and again in 2002, when a greyhound named Football Focus died of heat exhaustionhttp://bgrd.co.uk/ugo/Tom_Flaherty.htm.Speedway
In 1934 several speedwayMotorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
meetings were held on a track constructed inside the dog track. In 1949 permission was sought to operate speedway
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
from the stadium again but permission was refused.
Not to be confused with The Mount stadium, another stadium in Catford
Catford
Catford is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Architecture:...
.