Shadders Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 (edited) I've been watching some of the greyhound racing from Wimbledon tonight and noticed that the base of the speedway track is still in situ, now used by bangers and stocks presumably. Memories drifted back to Wednesday evenings down at Plough Lane during the late 1980's when I'd travel down on the tube from North London to Wimbledon Park, then walk the mile or so to the stadium to see the Rockets get hammered ... That was a scary walk back at 10pm at night I can tell you!! It seems such a waste when you have a facility like that without speedway. Edited August 11, 2009 by Shadders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Totally agree with you Shadders. Seems like the GRA just arent interested in speedway coming back to Plough Lane as has been discussed on these threads previously. I am sure there have been some enquiries recently. Talking of Wimbledon did you ever go to Plough Lane to see the Gooners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadders Posted August 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Talking of Wimbledon did you ever go to Plough Lane to see the Gooners? Nah, I stopped going to Arsenal away matches in the early 80's when you could just turn up and pay on the gate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25yearfan Posted August 13, 2009 Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 Totally agree with you Shadders. Seems like the GRA just arent interested in speedway coming back to Plough Lane as has been discussed on these threads previously. I am sure there have been some enquiries recently. Talking of Wimbledon did you ever go to Plough Lane to see the Gooners? I think its more a case of GRA's parent company rather than the GRA who won't allow speedway at Wimbledon as they have been been trying to get rid of the stadium for a while now and don't want tenents who need a mid to long term lease who are hard to shift which would be the speedway! I believe this is also the case at Oxford which has all the pits area and speedway track still in place! Speedway runs at Belle Vue and Birmingham Perry Bar both GRA tracks and at the other Birmingham greyhound track Hall Green the GRA would have allowed speedway to take place there if it could ever get planning permission! Yes it is so frustrating that Wimbledon along with Oxford have 2 operational former speedway stadiums that could still be staging the sport today. I'm sure that both the Cheetahs and the Dons could sustain PL racing at least! While their still standing theirs hope and that hope is that the GRA or the stadiums individually get bought by organisation(s) who want to fully exploit their potential as leisure sports venues! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 I've been watching some of the greyhound racing from Wimbledon tonight and noticed that the base of the speedway track is still in situ, now used by bangers and stocks presumably. Memories drifted back to Wednesday evenings down at Plough Lane during the late 1980's when I'd travel down on the tube from North London to Wimbledon Park, then walk the mile or so to the stadium to see the Rockets get hammered ... That was a scary walk back at 10pm at night I can tell you!! It seems such a waste when you have a facility like that without speedway. You should have come back to the main Wimbledon station with me Shadders. Granted a bit further to walk but better lit! Haven't been to Plough Lane for a dog meeting since they booted out the Dons in 1991. I was slightly surprised to see the popular side (the opposite to the starting gate) was no longer opened up for the dogs. When I used to go it used be fairly full with about 6 bookies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 I was slightly surprised to see the popular side (the opposite to the starting gate) was no longer opened up for the dogs. When I used to go it used be fairly full with about 6 bookies. And in 2001, that side was redeveloped with a brand-new, state-of-the-art, glass fronted grandstand dubbed the Mick The Miller Stand. But this facility was hardly ever used and has been shut down (and falling down) for over five years now. If you ever want a case study in how NOT to run a stadium, go no further than the management of Wimbledon Dog Track!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 And in 2001, that side was redeveloped with a brand-new, state-of-the-art, glass fronted grandstand dubbed the Mick The Miller Stand. But this facility was hardly ever used and has been shut down (and falling down) for over five years now. If you ever want a case study in how NOT to run a stadium, go no further than the management of Wimbledon Dog Track!!!! Do they not even open it for the Greyhound Derby Final? Used to be a pretty full stadium for that night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 Do they not even open it for the Greyhound Derby Final? Used to be a pretty full stadium for that night. Not that stand, no... I understand that even though it is, by decades, the most modern part of the stadium it's been neglected so badly it's a H&S risk... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie B Posted September 6, 2009 Report Share Posted September 6, 2009 I remember that after a lateish meeting, walking down Blackshaw Road, with the cemetery beside you was well eerie when I was younger, on my way getting a 155 bus back to Kennington. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted September 6, 2009 Report Share Posted September 6, 2009 QUOTE (Robbie B @ Sep 6 2009, 12:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I remember that after a lateish meeting, walking down Blackshaw Road, with the cemetery beside you was well eerie when I was younger, on my way getting a 155 bus back to Kennington. If that bus went via Streatham it's a certain bet that speedyguy was aboard!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie B Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 If that bus went via Streatham it's a certain bet that speedyguy was aboard!!! If I remember, got the bus outside Kennington Park, down Clapham Road, Clapham Commom, Balham, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway, then off the bus down the bottom of Blackshaw Road. Walked up Blackshaw Road which seemed to go for ever, then into Plough Lane, and then happiness Wimbledon stadium. I done this every Thursday between 76-79 then got took by either car or motorbike. On Bank holidays no 155 bus so had to go by car lift. Must have speedway guy seen without knowing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (Robbie B @ Sep 6 2009, 01:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I remember that after a lateish meeting, walking down Blackshaw Road, with the cemetery beside you was well eerie when I was younger, on my way getting a 155 bus back to Kennington. Are you kidding?Blackshaw Road was ok.The alley that went parallel on the other side of the cemetery and past the Sewage works, through to Colliers Wood.Now that was bloody scary I only went down that way about 3 times after a speedway meeting. Edited September 9, 2009 by iris123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie B Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 Are you kidding?Blackshaw Road was ok.The alley that went parallel on the other side of the cemetery and past the Sewage works, through to Colliers Wood.Now that was bloody scary I only went down that way about 3 times after a speedway meeting. Iris123 I said eerie not scarey. I wasn't that old at first, sometimes I could swear I heard people moving around the graveyard (my imagination I guess) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 QUOTE (Robbie B @ Sep 9 2009, 08:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Iris123 I said eerie not scarey. I wasn't that old at first, sometimes I could swear I heard people moving around the graveyard (my imagination I guess) I know what you said.I said Blackshaw Road was ok and the alley was scary.And i was 12 and then older when i walked back to Colliers Wood along Blackshaw Road.Sometimes with mates,sometimes alone.I think i went along the alley once with my dad and a couple of times with my mad mate Sean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie B Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 I think it's just me Iris123, I have never liked graveyards, and do intend going into one, for as long as I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 I know what you said.I said Blackshaw Road was ok and the alley was scary.And i was 12 and then older when i walked back to Colliers Wood along Blackshaw Road.Sometimes with mates,sometimes alone.I think i went along the alley once with my dad and a couple of times with my mad mate Sean the alley you are talking about was mead path. it is no longer there having been built on a few years ago. i do agree with you though it was pretty scary down there, you would have to be very brave or stupid to walk down there after dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WembleyLion Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 the alley you are talking about was mead path. it is no longer there having been built on a few years ago. i do agree with you though it was pretty scary down there, you would have to be very brave or stupid to walk down there after dark. Much safer to get on the 220 bus to Harlesden and then the no. 18 back home to Wembley. Ah those were the days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 the alley you are talking about was mead path. it is no longer there having been built on a few years ago. i do agree with you though it was pretty scary down there, you would have to be very brave or stupid to walk down there after dark. I remember once when i was in my 20s and ready to take on the world walking down there,only to get as far as the spot where it narrowed right down,to find it blocked off ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 I used to walk to Earlsfield station and get the train up to London from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 10, 2009 Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 Much safer to get on the 220 bus to Harlesden and then the no. 18 back home to Wembley. Ah those were the days. The 220 must have been one of the longest routes ever back then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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