Athletic Ground (Cobridge)
| Full name | Burslem Football and Athletic Grounds |
|---|---|
| Location | Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, England |
| Field size | 115 by 75 yards[1] |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 4 September 1886[1] |
| Demolished | 1991[2] |
| Construction cost | £1,500[1] |
| Tenants | |
| Port Vale F.C. (1886–1913) Albion Greyhounds Ltd (1932–54) Independent Greyhounds (1982–91) |
|
The Athletic Ground was a football stadium and greyhound stadium, located in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent.[3]
Football
The ground was home to Port Vale for 27 years, hosting twelve Football League seasons.
It was located opposite the church on Waterloo Road, directly on the Hanley and Burslem tram line.[1] The seven-acre site was obtained from the Sandbach Charity on a 21-year lease.[1] It was surrounded by a 430 yard cinder track for athletics and cycling, hence the name. On the north side was a 1,000 capacity grandstand, along with three shower baths and a gymnasium.[1]
They left the stadium for The Old Recreation Ground in 1913, and it was demolished in the 1980s after decades of use for amateur football.[2] A Mercedes garage was later built near the site.[4]
Greyhound Racing
In 1932 a Glasgow company called Albion Greyhounds affiliated to the National Greyhound Racing Society formed Albion Greyhounds (Stoke) Ltd by raising £40,000 capital in £1 shares. The stadium underwent significant change and racing got underway on 19 July 1932.
The circuit was 428 yards in circumference with distances of 280, 500 & 650 yards being used. The final meeting was on 1 October 1954 before greyhounds returned again on 24 July 1982. The lease would change hands several times before finally closing in 1991 when the council sold the site for housing that now includes the Greyhound Way and Stadium Court.[5]
References
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