Castleford Speedway

Whitwood Stadium, Altofts Lane, Whitwood, Near Castleford, West Yorkshire. The Kings operated between 12th June 1979 and July 1980.  The circuit was a real tiddler measuring only 202 yards.

This is the opening meeting programme: -

John says: Newcastle's Rod Hunter deputising for the Diamond's star man, Tom Owen, won the inaugural Castleford meeting. No finer sight than Rod at full throttle blasting around the very outside of the track.  I used to will him to miss the gate so he would have to pass.

Ray Watkins

Courtesy of Martin Jackson

Emails from Chris Wallett arrived with the following pics and text, thank you Chris : -

Chris says: Was this week up in Yorkshire so thought I would take a look at a speedway venue I last visited in 1979 to see a junior match with the Stoke Potters. Castleford Kings rode at the Greyhound Stadium Altofts Lane so I visited the site.

Unfortunately the track has gone but the main bar remains as a reminder. It is now called the "Wheatsheaf" and is used as a banqueting and function suite. The track area is now inside a modern industrial type estate although the track area is still undeveloped.  I was reliably told the Greyhound Stadium closed about 15 years ago. A shame as it is the perfect area for a speedway track i.e. nowhere near any homes. No chance of sport of any kind ever returning though. Hope these pics are of use to you.

This strange looking building is the Wheatsheaf a pub of some sort.  Castleford's track was in this area and, as you can see there is now no chance of speedway there.  I don't know what the building behind the pub is?  Maybe it is England's answer to the USA's Cape Canaveral.  A moon rocket shot may well be planned for the next few days!  If you are local to Castleford, maybe you can tell us what now occupies the space of Castleford speedway email me if you can please by clicking on the following name John

The above graphic is from Martin Sherrif who says:

Hi John, Please see the above document.

This gives an overview of where the former Whitwood Greyhound Stadium was located. It was directly behind the Wheatsheaf Public House and the bungalow to the right of the Wheatsheaf.

I may be wrong but after the demise of Castleford Kings, a golf driving range was located on the inside of the greyhound track. Also the bar you refer to was originally the Wilton Ballroom.

Castleford Kings Badges

Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop

Not much yet on Castleford, so If you can scan any pictures, programmes or badges send me an email  Castleford must have had plenty of fans, some of whom, will have photos etc. Please pass on my appeal for items for the website:  John

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