Leeds (Fullerton Park) Greyhound Track

The Fullerton Park Stadium in Leeds known as ‘The Kennels’ was reconstructed Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) in 1927 and opened for greyhound racing on Tuesday 4th October 1927. It followed hot on the heels of the Elland Road greyhound track located exactly opposite. Gates opened at 6.30pm with a first race time of 7.30pm and when it first opened patrons were able to reserve boxes in the grandstand to view the racing.

Situated next door to the Elland Road Football Ground on the west side it rivalled the Elland Road Greyhound Stadium which was run by the Leeds Greyhound Association Ltd (LGA). As the banking was completed in the popular rings a boast was made that it could accommodate 30,000 spectators. Trials featured Leeds greyhounds and greyhounds from the new Bradford Greenfield track because their hare had not yet been installed.

Four licenced trainers took up residence looking after 100 greyhounds on site made up from runners sent from other GRA tracks at Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, White City and Harringay. The new General Manager was Captain McNaughton and the Racing Manager was George Malcaster and racing was planned for Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Incredibly permits had been issued to 127 on course bookmakers issued as follows – the ‘10s and 5s Tattersall’s ring (25), the 2s 4d enclosure (20), the 1s 4d enclosure (82).

Despite this breathtaking organisation the racing only lasted until April 30th 1928 after the GRA made the decision not to continue with the venture. There had been some bad blood between the LGA and GRA resulting in the LGA taking the GRA to court in 1927 for false advertising. The GRA had claimed that they had sole rights of greyhounds chasing electric hares which had upset other companies because it implied that they were the only company allowed to race greyhounds.

It is not known what prompted the GRA to close Fullerton Park but it is believed that they came to an agreement with the LGA with some percentage of investment into Elland Road.

The empty stadium soon had speedway when promoters acquired an option from the GRA. The grass greyhound circuit was dug up and widened for the dirt track. The speedway continued for another ten years until 1938 when it closed. It was demolished and today it is a car park for the football stadium.

More information about this track is available in the downloadable PDF