Earls Barton Stadium (locally known as the pioneer sportsground) was a

greyhound racing Greyhound racing is an organized, competitive sport in which greyhounds are raced around a track. There are two forms of greyhound racing, track racing (normally around an oval track) and coursing; the latter is now banned in most countries. Tra ...

and speedway stadium on Station Road, south of Earls Barton and east of

Northampton Northampton () is a market town and civil parish in the East Midlands of England, on the River Nene, north-west of London and south-east of Birmingham. The county town of Northamptonshire, Northampton is one of the largest towns in England; ...

, Northamptonshire

Origins

The stadium was constructed in the 1940s on the east side of Station Road and north of a gravel pit and the River Nene

Greyhound racing

The greyhound racing was independent (not affiliated to the sports governing body the National Greyhound Racing Club). It was known as a flapping track which was the nickname given to independent tracks. Racing took place on Monday and Thursday evenings on an all-grass circuit and race distances of 280, 470 and 680 yards behind an 'Inside Sumner' hare system. Facilities included a licensed club and bar and on course bookmakers.

Other Uses

The stadium was used for Speedway 1949–1957, Go Karting and Banger racing.Recently, it has been used as earls Barton United’s home ground and is now used as a child’s holiday football camp.

Closure

The stadium closed during the 1970s and the site is now football pitches called the Earls Barton Pioneer Sports Ground ( locally known ) mainly used by Earls Barton United FC. With 3 overlapping pitches.

References

{{Motorcycle speedway tracks Defunct greyhound racing venues in the United Kingdom Defunct speedway venues in England

Stadium A stadium ( : stadiums or stadia) is a place or venue for (mostly) outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a tiered structure designed to allow spectators to stand o ...