# Poole Stadium

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Venue and speedway track in Dorset, England

Poole Stadium The stadium's glass fronted grandstand and speedway track Interactive map of Poole Stadium Location Wimborne Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2BP Coordinates 50°43′22″N 1°58′55″W / 50.722905°N 1.982010°W / 50.722905; -1.982010 Tenants Poole Pirates Website poolegreyhounds.com

**Poole Stadium** is a [speedway](/source/Motorcycle_speedway) and former [greyhound racing](/source/Greyhound_racing_in_the_United_Kingdom) venue located in the town centre of [Poole](/source/Poole), Dorset in England.[1] The stadium is owned by the [Borough of Poole](/source/Borough_of_Poole).[2] It was built in the early 1930s in an attempt to provide a source of entertainment to the residents of Poole during the [Great Depression](/source/Great_Depression). It is also often referred to as **Wimborne Road**, which is a road that runs adjacent to the stadium. During weekdays, the stadium's large car park is used to provide parking for [Poole Hospital](/source/Poole_Hospital)'s [park and ride](/source/Park_and_ride) scheme.[3] On 22 September 2020 the permanent closure of greyhound racing at the site was announced.[4]

## Football

In 1933 local semi-professional [football](/source/Association_football) team [Poole Town](/source/Poole_Town_F.C.) moved to Poole Stadium where they began to play their home games in the [Western Football League](/source/Western_Football_League). In the 1946/47 season they had a run in the qualifying rounds of the [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) which took them through to a first round match against [Queens Park Rangers](/source/Queens_Park_Rangers_F.C.). Poole drew 2–2 at [Loftus Road](/source/Loftus_Road) but lost 6–0 in the replay in front of a then record attendance of 10,224. They again reached the first round in the 1962/63 season and held [Watford](/source/Watford_F.C.) to a 2–2 draw at [Vicarage Road](/source/Vicarage_Road), but lost the replay at Poole Stadium in front of an 11,155 crowd.[5]

Poole Town were based at the stadium for 61 years until Poole Council forced them to leave in 1994, citing low attendances.[6] During their stay at the stadium, the club had financed improvements to the stadium such as a 1,100 seater [grandstand](/source/Grandstand) on the east side of the football pitch built in 1960, and covered [terracing](/source/Terrace_(stadium)) on the west side.

## Speedway

The east grandstand

Main article: [Poole Pirates](/source/Poole_Pirates)

The stadium has been home to speedway team the [Poole Pirates](/source/Poole_Pirates) since the club was created in 1948 and speedway has taken place at the stadium every year since.[7] Prior to 1948, a [cycle track](/source/Track_cycling) had surrounded the football pitch until it was replaced with the larger speedway track.[7] Poole Stadium was chosen to host the [2004 Speedway World Cup](/source/2004_Speedway_World_Cup) final by organiser Benfield Sports International (BSI).[8] Poole hosted the qualifying [race-off](/source/2004_Speedway_World_Cup#Race-off) and the [final](/source/2004_Speedway_World_Cup#Final) which took place on 7 August with [Sweden](/source/Sweden_national_speedway_team) becoming the 2004 World Champions.[9] Temporary stands were erected around the corners of the track to provide 2,200 extra seats.[10] The official attendance figure at the stadium for the final was 7,131.[9]

Poole Speedway is officially 299.1m long and the track record is 56.91 set by Sweden's [Antonio Lindback](/source/Antonio_Lindback) on 14 June 2006.[11]

## Sidecar Speedway

A number of top Sidecar meeting have been held at Wimborne Road. The British Championship was held in 2002 and 2003 and two Super Cup rounds were held in 2001. Gary Jackson and Carl Pugh won by British Championships. Craig Cheetham & Clive Reynolds won both rounds in the Super Cup.

## Greyhound racing

Facilities included a modern glass fronted grandstand which incorporated a 312-seat restaurant, two bars, full [Tote](/source/The_Tote) betting facilities and multiple viewing screens.[12] Race nights used to take place on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

### History

Greyhound racing was introduced to the stadium in 1960 after the [Southampton Greyhound Stadium](/source/Banister_Court_Stadium) owners Charlie Knott Sr. & [Charlie Knott Jr.](/source/Charles_Knott) initiated plans to construct a track around the football pitch and speedway track. Charlie Jr. The venue underwent considerable change with a grandstand and terracing being introduced on both sides of the stadium.[13]

On 8 May 1961 the opening meeting took place with the Mayor of Poole Alderman Bill Cole conducting the opening ceremony. There was an eight race card featuring five dogs in each race set up around a 380-yard circuit. The first ever winner was 'Count on Chippelgaun' a 5-1 shot in a time of 29.7 secs. The Racing Manager was aptly named D.J Poole before T.H.Pickett took over the hot seat.[14]

A 1970s' meeting at the stadium

The Knotts remained involved in Poole until 1980 when they sold their interest in the stadium. The leading trainers were Rita Randall and Pat Clarke and Ernie Walsh became the new Racing Manager. Following the sale the greyhound operation ran into difficulties and on 1 January 1985 closed down before the racing was brought back by TGV Ltd headed by Terry Bentham on 5 April that year. Simon Cross took over as Racing Manager from Ernie Walsh and TGV Ltd took the opportunity to conduct some renovations. Cross was soon to be replaced by Geoff Lee. [Scurlogue Champ](/source/Scurlogue_Champ) appeared on 12 July 1986 and broke the track record.[15]

Facilities included a restaurant for 100 covers, a car park for 800 vehicles and two bars with all-sand circuit and an "Outside Sumner" hare. Racing continued on Thursday and Saturday nights until the ownership changed again to a company called Playbell Ltd who then removed the greyhound track to accommodate a larger [football pitch](/source/Association_football_pitch) on 30 June 1990.[7][16]

In February 1992 hopes were revived that greyhound racing could return to Poole after plans were announced by the Derek Block owned Poole Stadium Development Corporation that they were looking to emulate a track such as [Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium](/source/Brighton_%26_Hove_Greyhound_Stadium) and [Romford Greyhound Stadium](/source/Romford_Greyhound_Stadium). This sparked interest from the BS Group and they had discussions with the local authorities regarding the re-opening of Wimborne Road. Even the [Greyhound Racing Association](/source/Greyhound_Racing_Association) made it clear that they were monitoring the situation. The BS Group won the race and secured a long time lease from the Poole Borough Council in 1994 and racing finally returned with the football ceasing.[17] The owners constructed a modern glass fronted grandstand on the east side of the stadium in 1997 which incorporated a 312-seat restaurant, two bars, full [Tote](/source/The_Tote) betting facilities and multiple viewing screens.[12]

The [Golden Crest](/source/Golden_Crest), which had been hosted by the track since 2000, had become the principal event surpassing the significance of the tracks previous main feature competition "The Wessex Vase". A major boost for arrived in 2012 when the track was awarded a BAGS contract for the first time.

In 2018 the stadium signed a deal with [ARC](/source/Arena_Racing_Company) to race every Tuesday and Sunday evening.[18] In 2020, the stadium was closed due to [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic), following the easing of restrictions of the lockdown, Poole Stadium Ltd (under parent company Gaming International) decided not to re-open and later, on 5 August, announced it was under a consultation period with the staff with the possibility of redundancies and the end of the greyhound racing at the venue.[19][20]

On 22 September 2020 the permanent closure of greyhound racing at the site was announced, leaving Gaming International with one remaining site at [Abbey Stadium](/source/Abbey_Stadium_(Swindon)), that later closed in December 2025.[4]

### Competitions

- [Golden Crest](/source/Golden_Crest)

### Track records

**Current**

Distance metres Greyhound Time Date Notes 250 Only One Leemac[21] 14.74 22.04.2017 450 Daddy Knowsbest[22] 26.20 13.07.2013 Golden Crest final 640 Clares Kyletaun[23] 38.56 14.04.2018 840 Blonde Pearl[24] 52.06 16.02.2007

**Former** [25]

Distance Greyhound Time Date Notes 230m Office Whisper 14.39 1989 230m Annekas Gold 14.38 1989 232m Seamans Hope 14.41 25.04.1985 250m Official Figure 14.98 10.04.1998 250m Louisville 14.96 07.02.2004 250m Kews Noble 14.88 31.07.2007 250m Marinas Malouda 14.78 06.05.2011 445m Railroad Tracker 27.43 1989 450m August Twenty 26.70 01.11.1997 450m Rosmon Major 26.45 10.02.2007 Golden Crest Semi-finals 450m Glynnscross Mal 26.45 17.03.2009 450m Miss Crispys 26.44 08.06.2010 450m Buzz Doc 26.37 26.04.2011 Golden Crest heats 450m Fifis Rocket 26.30 30.04.2011 Golden Crest Semi-finals 450m Lode Henry 26.25 02.07.2013 455m Golden Sand 27.34 30.08.1983 630m Chiltern Sarah 39.92 1989 632m Westmead Call 1986 632m Farm Hill Jill 40.00 25.09.1986 640m El Onda 38.96 09.05.1998 640m Manners Slaney 38.74 13.10.2007 640m Wise Totty 38.68 26.04.2011 840 Musical Treat 52.45 15.11.1997 840 Gift of Gold 52.21 09.05.2000 845m Carker Coal 55.48 1989 855m Scurlogue Champ 54.86 12.07.1986 445m H Grove Whistler 28.90 1989

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Track Search"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111225034358/http://www.gbgb.org.uk/tracks.aspx). Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from [the original](http://www.gbgb.org.uk/tracks.aspx) on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Stadium Sale Denied"](https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/1105122.stadium-sale-denied/). *Bournemouth Daily Echo*. [Newsquest](/source/Newsquest). 5 January 2007. Retrieved 31 March 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Park And Ride Sites in Poole"](http://www.boroughofpoole.com/go.php?structureID=U46406d2f2d56e&ref=S464AEBDCE759B). *Borough of Poole*. 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GS22Sep_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GS22Sep_4-1) ["Poole Stadium Closure confirmed"](http://greyhoundstar.co.uk/poole-stadium-closure-confirmed/). *Greyhound Star*. 22 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Poole Town Football Club History"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080531132300/http://www.poole-town.fsnet.co.uk/). *Poole Town Football Club*. 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.poole-town.fsnet.co.uk/) on 31 May 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** "Stadium Boost for Dolphins". *The Bournemouth Daily Echo*. [Newsquest](/source/Newsquest). 10 March 2000.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Home_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Home_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Home_7-2) Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). *Homes of British Speedway*. Stroud: [Tempus Publishing](/source/Tempus_Publishing). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7524-2210-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7524-2210-3)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["World Cup Coup"](https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/5370559.world-cup-coup/). *Bournemouth Daily Echo*. [Newsquest](/source/Newsquest). 21 January 2004. Retrieved 31 March 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SWC_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SWC_9-1) ["Sweden Win World Cup"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050901011230/http://www.speedwayworld.tv/en/news/a3091). SpeedwayWorld.Tv. 6 August 2004. Archived from [the original](http://www.speedwayworld.tv/en/news/a3091) on 1 September 2005. Retrieved 30 March 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Stands ruled out due to cost"](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/search/display.var.2024962.0.stands_ruled_out_due_to_cost.php). *Bournemouth Daily Echo*. [Newsquest](/source/Newsquest). 6 February 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [http://www.poolepirates.co/contact.htm](http://www.poolepirates.co/contact.htm)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Stadium_sale_denied_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Stadium_sale_denied_12-1) ["Stadium sale denied"](https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/1105122.stadium-sale-denied/). *Bournemouth Daily Echo*. [Newsquest](/source/Newsquest). 5 January 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Genders, Roy (1981). *The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing, page 64*. Pelham Books Ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [07207-1106-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/07207-1106-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Barnes, Julia (1988). *Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, page 118*. Ringpress Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-948955-15-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-948955-15-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Genders, Roy (1990). *NGRC book of Greyhound Racing, page 52*. Pelham Books Ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7207-1804-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7207-1804-X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** "Closures and openings over the past 10 years, July 1993, page 18". *Greyhound Star*. 1993.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Hobbs, Jonathan (2002). *Greyhound Annual 2003, page 133*. Raceform. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-904317-07-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-904317-07-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Arc Schedule Released"](http://greyhoundstar.co.uk/arc-announce-2018-bags-fixtures/). *Greyhound Star*. 21 December 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Poole Closure, Gaming International Statement"](http://greyhoundstar.co.uk/poole-closure-statement/). *Greyhound Star*. 5 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["FORD PLEADS FOR FANS TO STAY CALM AMIDST STADIUM SPECULATION"](https://www.poole-speedway.com/news/view/2020-08-06-ford-pleads-for-fans-to-stay-calm-amidst-stadium-speculation). *Poole Speedway*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["2017 track record result"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190104073018/http://www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsRace.aspx?id=1976387). Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from [the original](http://www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsRace.aspx?id=1976387) on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["2013 track record result"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015638/http://www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsRace.aspx?id=328986). Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from [the original](http://www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsRace.aspx?id=328986) on 1 November 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["2018 track record result"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072945/http://www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsRace.aspx?id=2085729). Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from [the original](http://www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsRace.aspx?id=2085729) on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["2007 track record result"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190104073017/http://www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsRace.aspx?id=480695). Greyhound Board of Great Britain. Archived from [the original](http://www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsRace.aspx?id=480695) on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Track records"](http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?page=stadia&st=13013&land=uk&stadiummode=1). Greyhound Data.

v t e English greyhound tracks Licensed tracks Birmingham Hall Green Kings Heath old Perry Barr Perry Barr Blackburn Blackpool Squires Gate St Annes Bolton Bournemouth Bradford City Stadium Greenfield Brighton & Hove Bristol Eastville Knowle Burnley Cambridge Canterbury Castleford (Whitwood) Chesterton Clacton Coventry Brandon Lythalls Cradley Heath Crayford Crayford and Bexleyheath Derby Doncaster Sprotbrough Stainforth Exeter Gateshead Gloucester and Cheltenham Halifax Harlow Henlow Hull Boulevard Old Craven Park New Craven Park Huntingdon Ipswich Kinsley Leeds Elland Road Fullerton Park Parkside Leicester Aylestone Road Blackbird Road Liverpool Breck Park Seaforth Stanley White City London Brixton Catford Charlton Clapton Dagenham Hackney Harringay Hendon New Cross Park Royal Perry Hill Stamford Bridge Walthamstow Wandsworth Watford Wembley West Ham White City Wimbledon Long Eaton Maidstone Manchester Audenshaw Belle Vue White City Mansfield Middlesbrough Mildenhall Milton Keynes Newcastle Brough Park Gosforth White City Norton Canes Norwich Boundary Park City Stadium Nottingham Colwick White City Oldham Oxford Pelaw Grange Peterborough Plymouth (Pennycross) Poole Portsmouth Copnor Tipner Preston Ramsgate Rayleigh Weir Reading Bennet Road Oxford Road Rochdale Rochester Romford Rye House Salford (Albion) Sheffield Darnall Owlerton Sittingbourne Slough Southampton Southend South Shields Spennymoor Staines Stanley Stockport (Hazel Grove) Stoke (Cobridge) Sunderland Swaffham Swindon Tamworth Towcester Wakefield Warrington Willenhall Wisbech Wolverhampton Dunstall Park Monmore Yarmouth Unlicensed tracks (independent / flapping) Aldershot Ashby-de-la-Zouch Ashington Askern Aycliffe Aylesbury (Hartwell) Banbury Barnsley Dillington Park Old Mill Barnstaple Barrow Craven Park Little Park Park Road Barwick Bedford Nelson Street Cardington Road Putnoe Lane Belmont Bickington Bideford Sports Ground Shebbertown Racecourse Bishop's Stortford Bolton (Westhoughton) Blackpool (Borough Park) Boston Shodfriars Lane Sports Stadium Bournemouth (Ensbury Park Racecourse) Brafield Braintree Coggeshall Road Cressing Road Notley Road Brean Sands Bristol (Bedminster) Brownhills Bunwell Bury St Edmunds Cambridge Coldham Lane Cowper Lane Carlisle Gillford Park Harraby Sheepmount Castleford Sports Stadium Caxton Chelmsford New Writtle St Springfield Chester Chesterfield Cleethorpes Coalville Coundon Deeping St James Dover Durham Earls Barton Earl Shilton Easington Ellesmere Port Ely Exeter Fakenham Gillingham Glastonbury Gloucester (Horton Road) Goldthorpe (Highgate) Gosport Great Houghton Hartlepool Hebburn Hinckley Houghton-le-Spring Hull (Craven Street) Keighley Kempston Kettering Kingskerswell King's Lynn Knottingley Langley Mill Leighton Buzzard Lincoln Hykeham Road Rope Walk Lingfield Little Waltham London Battersea Crooked Billet Dagenham old Edmonton Greenford Harlington Corner Mitcham Sidcup Southall Temple Mills London (Welling) Luton Maldon Mansfield Woodhouse March Markfield Melton Mowbray Mexborough Mountnessing Newbold Verdon Newhall (Oversetts Road) Newmarket Newton Abbot Racecourse Recreation Ground Northampton Norwich The Firs Thorpe Nottingham (Olympic) Peterborough (Newark) Plymouth Beacon Castle Beacon Park Devonport Plymstock Pontefract Ramsgate (Newington) Rayleigh O'Tooles Romford (old) Rotherham Hellaby Holmes Millmoor St Austell St Helens Hoghton Rd Park Road Salisbury Castle Road West Harnham Sheffield (Hyde Park) Shirebrook Skegness Somercotes Southend (Kursaal) Stockton-on-Tees Belle Vue Park Victoria Ground Stoke Golding Stoke-on-Trent (Hanley) Stondon Massey Sutton-in-Ashfield Swandlicote Swindon Common Platt Gorse Hill North Wroughton Syston Taunton County Ground Priory Park Thornley Thurnscoe Tilbury Chadfields Stadium Trowbridge Upton Walsgrave Walsoken Wansbeck Warwick Wellingborough Weymouth Wheatley Hill Wigan Poolstock Woodhouse Lane Winsford Wombwell Hough Lane Station Road Woodville Woolston Workington Worksop Yardley Hastings Yarmouth (old) Yeovil Huish Larkhill West Hendford

v t e Motorcycle speedway tracks in the United Kingdom England Aldershot Boxalls Oxenden Ashington Aycliffe Barnsley Barrow Holker Little Park Park Road Berwick Berrington Shielfield Birmingham Hall Green Perry Barr old Perry Barr Wheels Park Bolton Boston Bradford Greenfield Odsal Brafield Bristol Eastville Knowle Brownhills Burnley Buxton Canterbury Castleford Chesterton Coventry Brandon Lythalls Cowdenbeath Cradley Heath Crayford and Bexleyheath Crewe Doncaster Sprotbrough Stainforth Earls Barton Eastbourne Ellesmere Port Exeter County Marsh Barton Fleetwood Halifax Shay Thrum Hastings Highbridge Hull Boulevard Craven Hedon Ipswich Isle of Wight King's Lynn Leeds Leicester Beaumont) Stadium) Liverpool Seaforth Stanley London Catford Dagenham Greenford Hackney Harringay Lea Bridge New Cross Romford Stamford Bridge Walthamstow Wembley West Ham White City Wimbledon Long Eaton Luton Manchester Audenshaw Belle Vue Hyde Rd National White City Mansfield Melton Mowbray Middlesbrough Cleveland South Tees Mildenhall Milton Keynes Nelson New Brighton Newcastle Brough Pk Gosforth Northampton Norwich Nottingham Oxford Peterborough Plymouth Coliseum Pennycross Poole Portsmouth Preston Purfleet Rayleigh Weir Reading Oxford Rd Smallmead Ringwood Rochdale Rochester Rye House St Austell Salford Scunthorpe Ashby V E Wright Quibell Sheffield Sittingbourne Central Park Iwade Skegness Southampton Stockport Stoke-on-Trent Sunderland Swindon Syston Tamworth Warrington Weybridge Weymouth Wigan Poolstock Woodhouse Wolverhampton Wombwell Workington Derwent Lonsdale Northside Yarmouth Scotland Blantyre Craighead Greyhound stadium Coatbridge Cowdenbeath Edinburgh Armadale Marine Gardens Old Meadowbank Powderhall Ellesmere Port Glasgow Carntyne Celtic Park Hampden Park Nelson Saracen Shawfield White City Linlithgow Motherwell Paisley Wales Caerphilly Cardiff Millennium Penarth White City Neath Newport Hayley Somerton Pontypridd Tredegar Ireland Belfast Dublin Chapelizod Shelbourne

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Poole Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poole_Stadium) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poole_Stadium?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.