Long Eaton Stadium
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| Location | Long Eaton, Derbyshire | ||||
| Coordinates | 52°53′56″N 1°15′41″W / 52.89889°N 1.26139°WCoordinates: 52°53′56″N 1°15′41″W / 52.89889°N 1.26139°W | ||||
| Establishment | 1887 (first recorded match) | ||||
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As of 15 August 2010 Source: Ground profile | |||||
Long Eaton Stadium, previously the Recreation Ground, was a multi-use sports ground in Long Eaton, Derbyshire that staged cricket, football, greyhound racing and speedway.
Cricket
The first recorded match on the ground was in 1887, when Derbyshire hosted Lancashire in the ground's first and only first-class match.[1] The match was played on a 'fiery' wicket, with the match, scheduled for three days, ending after two days in Lancashire's favour.[2]
Cricket continued to be played on the ground until at least 1961, when the last recorded match on the ground, between Long Eaton Cricket Association and Derbyshire Juniors, was held.[3]
Football
The Recreation Ground was the home ground of Long Eaton Rangers F.C. In 1887 the club won the Birmingham Challenge Cup by beating West Bromwich Albion. The club during its existence played Nottingham Forest, Newton Heath and Sheffield Wednesday in the Football Alliance.
Post-1928
After 1928 the original ground was demolished, making way initially for a Greyhound racing track. The new stadium was constructed by F. Perks and Son and had seven wooden grandstands, although most were destroyed by fire in 1948. In 1929, a cinder track was laid to cater for speedway. The idea was to enter a Long Eaton speedway team into the English league, although when initial races attracted only modest crowds, it was decided not to enter a team. Speedway reappeared, with Long Eaton Archers joining the National League Division Three in 1951. Speedway continued at the venue until 1997, with the home team name being changed a number of times to the Rangers, Nottingham Outlaws and lastly the Invaders, with the Invaders winning the National League title in 1984.
As well as speedway, the ground also hosted Stock car racing, becoming one of the main venues in the United Kingdom for the sport. During the 1950s, cycling, midget car racing and trotting becoming staple events. The 1960s brought the arrival of hot rod and banger racing. The stadium continued to host events until its doors finally closed in 1997.
Following its closure, the ground became derelict and what locals considered an eyesore. In June 2010, bulldozers moved in to clear the site for housing.[4]
References
External links
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