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29/12/09
COVENTRY’s
dog racing stadium looks to have run its last race. Following the Boxing
Day meeting at the Brandon-based track, stipendiary steward Irene Haselwood
acquired all identity books for greyhound racing to be held there. Rumours
that the track was in trouble have been circling for several weeks and those
fears were confirmed after Saturday’s meeting when Haselwood moved
in to declare the stadium closed. She said: “Following discussions
with several parties involved in running the stadium, I’ve subsequently
spoken to trainers attached to Coventry and informed them that racing will
cease until further notice.
“It’s regrettable when a track stops racing but wheels are already
firmly in motion in dealing with the trainers and greyhounds affected.”
In April 2004 the stadium welcomed a return of greyhound racing following
a lapse of many years with owner Avtar Sandhu and Malcolm Francis at the
helm but the latter then assumed sole control before ill-health forced him
to retire in 2007. Local businessman and greyhound owner John Flounders
then leased the business although speculation suggests Sandhu remained a
key figure. Greyhound racing has toiled to secure off-track confidence with
numerous problems making it unlikely to be considered for crucial contract
for racing in betting shops.
Please
feel free to leave a comment at the end of this link-
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/coventry-warwickshire-sport/other-sport/2009/12/29/coventry-s-dog-racing-stadium-looks-to-have-run-last-race-92746-25483862/
Please join the national campaign to close more greyhound tracks in the
UK by visiting http://www.greyhoundaction.org.uk
email info@greyhoundaction.org.uk
by Derek Brown, Coventry
Telegraph