THE END OF THE WIMBLEDON OVAL

No more racing in the capital as London’s last racing oval closes

The bulldozers have arrived outside London’s last oval motor racing circuit, after it closed its doors for the final time. Following five decades of thrills and many, many spills, Wimbledon Stadium is to be demolished to make way for 600 new homes and AFC Wimbledon’s new football ground.

Campaigners had argued the unique circuit should be preserved after the loss of other London ovals such as White City, West Ham and Walthamstow.

Wimbledon Stadium opened as a greyhound racing track in 1928 and became a regular venue for short oval racing in 1962. More recently, some of the spectator stands were closed for health and safety reasons and despite a battle to preserve the complex, the site is set to be flattened.

The stadium featured most famously in the film The Long Good Friday. The final greyhound meeting on March 25 was a full house, bringing to an end dog racing in London, an endeavour that was once supported by 33 oval circuits.