In 2000 in the dawning embers of what became the "internet" I organised a team outing to Catford dogs. Tenner a head got you in and included burger and chips, one bet and a couple of drinks (or something like that). Then I found that if I booked on line it would only cost £9 per head. I'd already collected cash from everyone so on the night we decided to pool the change and put the resultant £15 on a race. My oppo on the late shift took charge. I have never seen anything like it before or after. He went through the card and the fifteen of us went home as drunk as skunks with more than £50 each from the winnings. What a night! I have never ever won anything else on the dogs.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Other Sport] Hove Greyhounds
- Thread starter Lenny Rider
- Start date
I was a groundsman there for a year or two, back when it was an all turf track. Also worked race nights putting the dogs in the traps and moving them around for the longer distance races. God forbid you let a dog loose and it had to be withdrawn…the boos, lol…
Uh_huh_him
Well-known member
- Sep 28, 2011
- 13,062
i moved to South London in the early 90s.
Catford dogs was just down the road from me, and we would occasionally venture over to Wimbledon.
Catford closed down, without warning, pretty much overnight.
Such a shame. As you say a fun, cheap night out.
BiffyBoy100
Active member
- Apr 20, 2020
- 196
I always enjoyed visiting the Wimbledon track, but glad they got a football stadium out of it.
I could be making this up, but was there once talk of trying to build the ground at the Hove Dogs track or maybe using it as a temporary solution.
S.T.U cgull
Well-known member
Romford is still going (Havering Borough)
No you're right it was discussed, although I'm not sure how seriously or how far discussions went. It was in the late 80s. It was one of the possible sites, along with Waterhall, that was being mentioned as a potential replacement for the Goldstone. It wasn't a particularly popular choice. I remember at the home game after the Townsend Thoresen ferry disaster there was a minute's silence. It was being impeccably observed until a wanker a few yards from me (I was in the North Stand), shouted out "We won't go to the dogs!"
Used to go from time to time between the late 80s and about 11 years ago (I know my daughter was three for a particular reason). I’m pretty sure they used to have a lunchtime meet on Boxing Day and we did the double up of dogs followed by The Goldstone more than once.
Also had a bloke on our local who worked for Ladbrokes and he took three of us to the Derby at Wimbledon one year, which felt a lot more big time than Hove.
Since then I’ve met a couple of people who rescue and home ex racing greyhounds and I couldn’t bring myself to go again.
Also had a bloke on our local who worked for Ladbrokes and he took three of us to the Derby at Wimbledon one year, which felt a lot more big time than Hove.
Since then I’ve met a couple of people who rescue and home ex racing greyhounds and I couldn’t bring myself to go again.
I think that there is a covenant on the land generally in that the owners (betting company) can’t redevelop until a certain date (2030s?). You shouldn’t need planning consent to demolish the gym as it’s not a listed building (!) although they will need it for any new building on the site. It’s got to be odds on for new flats on the site especially with consent having been granted for PPW on the other side of the road.
stewart12
Well-known member
- Jan 16, 2019
- 2,096
In the 1940s there were 77 licensed stadiums in the UK and over 200 independent ones. That's now down to 19 licensed and 1 independent one
Licensed:
Brighton & Hove
Sittingbourne
Doncaster
Harlow
Kinsley
Wolverhampton
Newcastle
Nottingham
Oxford
Sheffield
Chester-le-Street
Birmingham
Romford
Mildenhall
Sunderland
Swindon
Towcester
Ystrad Mynach
Great Yarmouth
Independent:
Thornton
Licensed:
Brighton & Hove
Sittingbourne
Doncaster
Harlow
Kinsley
Wolverhampton
Newcastle
Nottingham
Oxford
Sheffield
Chester-le-Street
Birmingham
Romford
Mildenhall
Sunderland
Swindon
Towcester
Ystrad Mynach
Great Yarmouth
Independent:
Thornton
Thanks. So the gym building isn’t art deco?
Lenny Rider
Well-known member
- Sep 15, 2010
- 6,264
- Thread starter
- #51
Apologies old boy I was under the impression when either Haringey or Wimbledon closed that was it so far as London was concerned.
thedonkeycentrehalf
Moved back to wear the gloves (again)
- Jul 7, 2003
- 9,593
Am I right in thinking that some of those independent ones were called Flapper Tracks? Seem to remember my Dad taking me to one near Burnham On Sea while on holiday many years ago which had a 'non-league' feel compared to the big setup at Hove.
HangletonGull
Well-known member
- Apr 10, 2023
- 2,549
Yep flapping was as dodgy as it came
I went on Boxing Day with family exactly as you said. It was rammed and booked out in around October. Still come to table to take bets and the food was a pretty decent fry up in the morning. Still very much alive and kicking, a good day out
Nobby Cybergoat
Well-known member
- Jul 19, 2021
- 9,311
I've heard someone say this and they mentioned 2030 as well
Nobby Cybergoat
Well-known member
- Jul 19, 2021
- 9,311
It would be great for the women's stadium and I bet the club are interested in the site
But in reality the only question about what's going to happen there is how high are the flats going to be
But in reality the only question about what's going to happen there is how high are the flats going to be
- Mar 23, 2023
- 2,340
I went a few times last year, always a great time. Will be a shame if it goes
The gym was demolished due to the the raac issue with he concrete used to construct It as far as I understood. Repair would have been prohibitively expensive.
Why would anyone want it to? Where would you prefer essential house building to go, than empty brownfield sites?