Preston (speedway)
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| Preston | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club information | |||
| Track address | Farringdon Park New Hall Lane Preston Lancashire. | ||
| Country | England | ||
| Founded | 1929 | ||
| Closed | 1932 | ||
| League | English Dirt Track League Northern League | ||
| Major team honours | |||
| |||
Preston were a British speedway team that existed from 1929 to 1932 and raced at Farringdon Park.
From 18 September 1924, Farringdon Park was leased by Preston Grasshoppers R.F.C.[1] and in 1929 the club agreed a six-year sub-tenancy with Preston Speedways Ltd, and a dirt track was constructed around the perimeter of the rugby pitch.[2]
The speedway, run by Preston Speedways Ltd,[3] was very popular with regular crowds of 14,000 fans.[4] George Formby won a race at the stadium on a two stroke machine. The track marshall was Norman Jackson and the team raced for three years.[5] The track was one of the most dangerous circuits in the country with three fatalities within 14 months. John Proctor Stockdale died on 18 May 1929,[6] John Seith was killed on 18 August 1929[7] and on 24 July 1930, James Carnie became the third racing death.[8]
They team first competed in the English Dirt Track League (effectively the Northern League) in 1929 when they were runners-up to Leeds Lions.[9][10] In the same season they won the English Dirt Track Knockout Cup beating Halifax in the final.
The team raced for the 1930 Speedway Northern League[11] but Preston Speedways Ltd was wound up in December 1930.[12] However, Oswald 'Ossie' Wade took over a three year sub-lease and installed Norman Jackman as manager for the 1931 season. The speedway ended for good at the end of the 1931 season.[5]