My dad is the head chef there at the moment, and is annoyed by this news as they've had an uptick in bookings in the last 12 months there.
Problem is greyhound racing in general is on the decline, and though Crayford is one of the few remaining tracks in the London area, it just can't attract enough trainers for races to be full, and when there's only 4 dogs running per race and the card is only 12 races long instead of 16, it's a hard sell
Not doubt will build homes etc there, big bit of land that
It was in the racing post.
ENTAIN yesterday announced that it intends to close Crayford Stadium, ending 38 years of greyhound racing at the track since it opened on its present site in place of the previously closed Crayford and Bexleyheath, which first saw racing in 1932 and was shut by Ladbrokes in 1985. https://greyhoundbet.racingpost.com/#news-story/story_id=601736
Sad to see a local landmark close, but to be honest I miss the OLD stadium there much more, as it also held banger racing and speedway as well, which meant it got a lot more use during the week. I used to really enjoy watching banger racing as a child.
The whole area needs a proper redevelopment plan, as the Sainsbury's carpark is a massive waste of space, the store itself is unnecessarily large while the petrol station is too small.
Gotta say not at all surprised. Last time I went not so long ago was a Saturday evening and out of the 10 races on the card, only 2 had 6 runners, with many only having 4 or less.
That’s a shame, although I haven’t been there for some time.
i must be old, I can remember being gutted when the old one was demolished and the car racing stopped. Used to love going the banger racing there with my old man
Gotta say not at all surprised. Last time I went not so long ago was a Saturday evening and out of the 10 races on the card, only 2 had 6 runners, with many only having 4 or less.
Owners have said only 18% of races this year have had 6 runners
Gotta say not at all surprised. Last time I went not so long ago was a Saturday evening and out of the 10 races on the card, only 2 had 6 runners, with many only having 4 or less.
Owners have said only 18% of races this year have had 6 runners
I went last year, only a few races had 6 dogs, lots of 5 & 4 dog races and even a 3 dog race.
Sad times. I used to love the banger racing as my dad used to race there. We lived on a hill nearby and could hear the cars from our house and it was so popular.
Some of my first ever memories were there and it was a different world back then 😔
Sad times. I used to love the banger racing as my dad used to race there. We lived on a hill nearby and could hear the cars from our house and it was so popular.
Some of my first ever memories were there and it was a different world back then 😔
I loved the figure of 8 destruction derbies. happy days.
Very sad. One of my earliest memories is listening to the sound of the speedway bikes fade in and out when they went round the track. It would rock me to sleep. It's always been a part of Crayford's identity and now we can look forward to some monstrous high density flats that Bexley will wedge into every corner of the site.
Dog racing has been in decline for years, so no surprise.
I think it's a sign we are getting old to be honest, times move on and things change, much like pubs closing.
Not sure why, darts and horse racing have reinvented themselves a bit in the last 10-15 years and are now much more appealing to a younger audience. Not sure why dogs should be any different.
Dog racing has been in decline for years, so no surprise.
I think it's a sign we are getting old to be honest, times move on and things change, much like pubs closing.
Not sure why, darts and horse racing have reinvented themselves a bit in the last 10-15 years and are now much more appealing to a younger audience. Not sure why dogs should be any different.
Thinks horse racing is a dress up day out, often followed by entertainment (that's the one's my daughter goes to anyway).
Darts has become more like football with the spectator interaction.
Dog racing I find it more like a cross between going to an old bookies and a poor 1970's lower league football ground, which is probably why I quite like it! It hasn't;t moved on in 40+ years
I think the 'youth' of today just see that as zero appeal, much like going out drinking. Amazes me how many of the under 30's at work rarely drink, certainly never at lunch and rarely after work - that was a daily occurrence for me. I was out 4 nights a week at their age.
Dog racing has been in decline for years, so no surprise.
I think it's a sign we are getting old to be honest, times move on and things change, much like pubs closing.
Not sure why, darts and horse racing have reinvented themselves a bit in the last 10-15 years and are now much more appealing to a younger audience. Not sure why dogs should be any different.
Thinks horse racing is a dress up day out, often followed by entertainment (that's the one's my daughter goes to anyway).
Darts has become more like football with the spectator interaction.
Dog racing I find it more like a cross between going to an old bookies and a poor 1970's lower league football ground, which is probably why I quite like it! It hasn't;t moved on in 40+ years
I think the 'youth' of today just see that as zero appeal, much like going out drinking. Amazes me how many of the under 30's at work rarely drink, certainly never at lunch and rarely after work - that was a daily occurrence for me. I was out 4 nights a week at their age.
There are concerns about dog welfare too, after they are too old to run. And in a world where you can bet on any sport around the world on your phone, you don't need to go to the dogs for your bit of betting excitement.
Very sad. One of my earliest memories is listening to the sound of the speedway bikes fade in and out when they went round the track. It would rock me to sleep. It's always been a part of Crayford's identity and now we can look forward to some monstrous high density flats that Bexley will wedge into every corner of the site.
To me Crayford lost its identity when the old stadium was demolished, and lost the noise and smell from the speedway and banger racing.
Ah that's a shame. We went there on a family trip for my Grandad's birthday one year, and he did some bonkers combo bet that he had to explain to the rest of us (and possibly the staff member that took it) that came in at something like 120 to 1. It paid for the rest of our drinks for the evening, and has been one of those family folklore stories ever since.
Comments
Not doubt will build homes etc there, big bit of land that
Problem is greyhound racing in general is on the decline, and though Crayford is one of the few remaining tracks in the London area, it just can't attract enough trainers for races to be full, and when there's only 4 dogs running per race and the card is only 12 races long instead of 16, it's a hard sell
https://greyhoundbet.racingpost.com/#news-story/story_id=601736
Well done Charlie.
The whole area needs a proper redevelopment plan, as the Sainsbury's carpark is a massive waste of space, the store itself is unnecessarily large while the petrol station is too small.
Real shame, even the kids in our family love it.
Last time I went not so long ago was a Saturday evening and out of the 10 races on the card, only 2 had 6 runners, with many only having 4 or less.
i must be old, I can remember being gutted when the old one was demolished and the car racing stopped. Used to love going the banger racing there with my old man
Have they announced a close date?
happy days.
I think it's a sign we are getting old to be honest, times move on and things change, much like pubs closing.
Darts has become more like football with the spectator interaction.
Dog racing I find it more like a cross between going to an old bookies and a poor 1970's lower league football ground, which is probably why I quite like it! It hasn't;t moved on in 40+ years
I think the 'youth' of today just see that as zero appeal, much like going out drinking. Amazes me how many of the under 30's at work rarely drink, certainly never at lunch and rarely after work - that was a daily occurrence for me. I was out 4 nights a week at their age.
To me Crayford lost its identity when the old stadium was demolished, and lost the noise and smell from the speedway and banger racing.
very sad day for all those people involved