The Track (stadium)

{{Short description|Multi-use stadium in Saint Sampson, Guernsey}} {{Other uses|Track (disambiguation){{!}}Track}} {{Infobox stadium | name = The Track | nickname = | logo_image = | logo_caption = | image = | caption = | fullname = The Track | former_names = | location = Saint Sampson, Guernsey | coordinates = | broke_ground = | built = | opened = | renovated = | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = Guernsey Amalgamated Football Committee | operator = | surface = Grass | scoreboard = | cost = | architect = | project_manager = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | general_contractor = | main_contractors = | capacity = 3,000 | suites = | record_attendance = 12,692 | dimensions = | acreage = | tenants = Belgrave Wanderers<br />Guernsey official football team | website = }} '''The Track''' is a multi-use stadium in Saint Sampson, Guernsey.<ref name=FA>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/Competitions/FACompetitions/TheFANLSCup/newsandfeatures/2010/nls-guernsey-070410 |title=NLS Final to make history |publisher=The Football Association |date=2010-04-07 |accessdate=2012-06-27}}</ref> It is the home ground of association football team Belgrave Wanderers F.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisguernsey.com/sport/football/2011/11/16/rihoy-scores-the-winner-on-return/ |title=Rihoy scores the winner on return |publisher=This Is Guernsey |date=2011-11-16 |accessdate=2012-06-27}}</ref> and is also used to host Guernsey official football team's home Muratti games.<ref name=BBC /> It also has Guernsey's only<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theislandbowl.com/location.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401072835/http://www.theislandbowl.com/location.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-04-01 |title=Where are we? |publisher=Theislandbowl.com |accessdate=2012-06-27 }}</ref> kart racing track around the outside.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisguernsey.com/latest/2003/09/16/plans-threaten-karts/ |title=Plans threaten karts |publisher=This Is Guernsey |date=2003-09-16 |accessdate=2012-06-27}}</ref>

== Ownership == thumb|Entrance to The Track The Track is owned by the Guernsey Amalgamated Football Committee. Belgrave Wanderers used to share The Track with Guernsey Rangers until 2007 when Guernsey Rangers sold their share in the Guernsey Amalgamated Football Committee after they moved their home games to St. Andrew's.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/guernsey/6437617.stm |title=Rangers sell Track to Wanderers |publisher=BBC News |date=2007-03-10 |access-date=2012-06-27}}</ref> Northerners AC also used to play their games here until 1973 when they moved to their current home at Northfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://northernersathleticclub.co.uk/?page_id=136 |title=Club History |publisher=Northerners AC |accessdate=2012-06-28}}</ref>

== Capacity == The Track's capacity is 3,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisguernsey.com/latest/2010/04/17/capacity-of-3000-for-open-air-show/ |title=Capacity of 3,000 for open-air show |publisher=This Is Guernsey |date=2010-04-17 |accessdate=2012-06-27}}</ref> Its record attendance was 12,692 in 1951<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisguernsey.com/latest/2011/06/18/the-drain-of-live-followers-is-a-worry/ |title=The drain of 'live' followers is a worry |publisher=This Is Guernsey |date=2011-06-18 |accessdate=2012-06-27}}</ref> for the Muratti Final between Guernsey and Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey/content/articles/2006/05/04/football_muratti_statistics_feature.shtml |title=Muratti over the years |publisher=BBC |date= |accessdate=2012-06-27}}</ref>

== Usage == The Track was the main stadium that hosted Guernsey's Muratti tournament games until 2003, when Guernsey's Muratti games were moved to Footes Lane. Because of poor performances at Footes Lane and criticism from fans regarding the stadium's athletics track impairing views of games and affecting the atmosphere, Guernsey's Muratti games were moved back to The Track in 2009.<ref name=BBC>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7920425.stm |title=Muratti heading back to The Track |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2009-03-03 |access-date=2012-06-27}}</ref> The Track has also been used as the home ground for the Guernsey Senior County League representative side in the English FA Inter-League Cup.<ref name=FA />

In 2012, it was suggested that Guernsey F.C. would move from Footes Lane to The Track if they continued to rise through the English football league system as Footes Lane would require further development. This, however, was denied by Guernsey F.C. chairman, Steve Dewsnip.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisguernsey.com/sport/2012/03/31/track-is-a-%E2%80%98no%E2%80%99-go/ |title=Track is a 'NO' go |publisher=This Is Guernsey |date=2012-03-31 |accessdate=2012-06-27}}</ref>

The Track has also been used to host boxing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/8834638.stm |title=Bradley Watson wins final amateur fight |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2010-07-19 |access-date=2012-06-27}}</ref>

A kart track circles the football pitch and karts are available for hire.

===Famous games at the Track=== * 12 May 1948 Guernsey v Tottenham Hotspur F.C.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.priaulxlibrary.co.uk/articles/article/teddy-zabiela-tells-his-days-spurs |title=Teddy Zabiela tells of his days with the Spurs |publisher=Priaulx Library}}</ref>

== Reception == The Track had originally been considered as the best place to watch team sport in Guernsey, but this idea is changing in favour of Footes Lane.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisguernsey.com/comment/rob-batiste/2012/01/14/mr-foote-your-lane-is-a-ok/ |title=Mr Foote: Your lane is A-OK |publisher=This Is Guernsey |date=2012-01-14 |accessdate=2012-06-27}}</ref> It has a reputation of being dusty and having an uneven surface.<ref name=BBC />

== References == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Track, The}} Category:Sports venues in Guernsey Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in Europe Category:Football venues in Guernsey Category:Kart circuits