The Pioneer Sportsground
Map
LocationStation Road, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire
Coordinates52°15′05″N 0°44′37″W / 52.25139°N 0.74361°W / 52.25139; -0.74361
Opened1940s
Closed1970s

Earls Barton Stadium (locally known as the pioneer sportsground) was a greyhound racing and speedway stadium on Station Road, south of Earls Barton and east of Northampton, Northamptonshire

Origins

The stadium was constructed in the 1940s on the east side of Station Road and north of a gravel pit and the River Nene[1]

Greyhound racing

The greyhound racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the National Greyhound Racing Club). It was known as a flapping track which was the nickname given to independent tracks.[2]

Racing took place on Monday and Thursday evenings on an all-grass circuit and race distances of 280, 470 and 680 yards behind an 'Inside Sumner' hare system. Facilities included a licensed club and bar and on course bookmakers.[3]

Other Uses

The stadium was used for Speedway 1949–1957, Go Karting and Banger racing.Recently, it has been used as earls Barton United’s home ground and is now used as a child’s holiday football camp.[4][5]

Closure

The stadium closed during the 1970s and the site is now football pitches called the Earls Barton Pioneer Sports Ground ( locally known ) mainly used by Earls Barton United FC. With 3 overlapping pitches.

References

  1. ^ "OS Plan 1966-1970". old-maps.co.uk.
  2. ^ Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
  3. ^ Furby, R (1968). Independent Greyhound Racing. New Dominion House. p. 54.
  4. ^ "Earls Barton Speedway". Defunct Speedway Tracks.
  5. ^ "the pioneer sportsground and its Speedway track". National Speedway Museum.
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