Great Houghton Greyhound Track | |
Location: | High Street, Great Houghton, South Yorkshire |
Coordinates: | 53.5528°N -1.3508°W |
Opened: | 1935 |
Closed: | 1954 |
Great Houghton Greyhound Track was a greyhound racing track located on High Street, Great Houghton, South Yorkshire.[1]
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]
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]
Due to falling attendances racing stopped in June 1954 and the field was incorporated into the tenancy of the inn.[4]