Staff break down in tears as historic race track forced to close after more than 90 years
TEARS were shed as hundreds of fans came out to watch the last-ever meet at a famous dog racing track.
Crayford Greyhound Stadium closed its doors for the final time in front of a large crowd on Sunday after 90 years of racing.
Entain, which owns brands including Ladbrokes and Coral, declared its intention to close the South East London track in November.
They said it was no longer financially viable to continue due to “dwindling support and attendance”.
Originally built in 1932 and named the Crayford & Bexleyheath Stadium, Crayford Stadium was sold to Ladbrokes in 1984.
After 15 of the ground’s 20 acres were sold to Sainsbury’s, a new venue was built on the remaining five acres which opened in 1986.
Emotional staff could be seen hugging and wiping tears away from their eyes as time was called on the historic venue.
Queues of spectators lined up outside before filling the stands and placing bets on the last 12 greyhound races with friends and family.
Commentator Robin Carter, the long-time caller, raised his microphone for the final time.
He announced: “Away we go for the last race ever at Crayford.”
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The stadium previously had to cancel race meetings due to an ongoing shortage of runners.
But, others working in the industry noted a shift in the “business model” after an increase in streaming and online gambling.
The closure leaves Romford as the sole outlet for the sport in Greater London.
The current fixture schedule will be fulfilled at tracks in Romford, Hove and Monmore.
Ladbroke said the decision to close the venue had “not been taken lightly”.
Entain‘s communications director Simon Clare added: “We’ve been exploring various avenues to avoid this decision for some time but, ultimately, it is no longer viable for us to continue operating the site.
“We will also continue to support all trainers impacted by the decision and hope that many of them will continue to race their dogs at other UK greyhound tracks.”
As it stands, there are now only 19 out of the previous 77 venues licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
After attracting huge audiences and royal visitors in the 20th century, most dog racing venues in the capital have closed.
The Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium saw its last night of racing after 89 years in 2017 before the site was demolished.
Back in 2008, the Walthamstow Stadium in the London Borough of Waltham Forest in East London also closed.
It was widely regarded as the leading greyhound racing stadium in Britain following the closure of White City in 1984.