London’s Last Dog Track: The Untold Stories Behind The Blur Album Cover and David Beckham’s Debut Performance
The aroma of vinegar-drenched chips and lager wafts through the air as taxi driver Keith Moore eyes the greyhound in trap six, confidently asserting that it’s poised to claim victory.
Shouts of “go on my son” and passionate declarations of “come on number two” fill the atmosphere as the dogs dash around the sandy track.
9
9
9
As the race nears the finish line, number six begins to pull ahead, prompting Keith to shout, “Go on, baby! Oi, oi — another grand!”
The 66-year-old Gooner, who is a greyhound owner, soon celebrates his winnings, neatly stacked in crisp £100 notes. Even those who don’t win seem to enjoy the lively banter, drinks, and camaraderie of the atmosphere.
Nevertheless, if you listen to the skeptics, the once-thriving working-class sport of greyhound racing appears to be in decline.
Last Sunday saw the final closure of the track at Crayford, situated on the edges of South East London, as its mechanical hare was stowed away for the last time.
READ MORE ON GREYHOUND RACING
Previously, 33 greyhound tracks operated within the M25. Now, only Romford remains.
This week, I ventured on the Elizabeth Line to visit the hometowns of Richard Madeley, Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson, and the legendary Romford Pele himself, Ray Parlour, to see if the dogs have genuinely seen better times.
‘I’ve won a few quid and it’s free to get in’
On a brisk Wednesday evening in Romford, where the East End meets Essex, I arrived at a hidden gem near the railway line.
The Coral Romford Greyhound Stadium holds a unique place in the had a significant role in the history of Britpop.
With a touch of casual elegance, Blur chose to feature an image of racing greyhounds from Romford on the cover of their influential 1994 Parklife album.
Singer Damon Albarn even became a partially invested greyhound owner, leading one cultural observer to suggest that “the lesser sibling of horse racing has now blossomed into its trendy younger brother.”
Crayford Greyhound Track attack: Shocking moment handler is punched and kicked by racecourse ‘invader’
Although I didn’t spot any notable Britpop figures, the stadium’s glass-fronted Coral Stand — complete with three inviting bars — attracted a lively mix of midweek regulars and festive revelers.
Michael Goodridge, an executive chauffeur operating a Rolls Royce Cullinan, shared, “I’ve placed modest bets on a couple of dogs without luck so far, but it’s such an exhilarating evening.”
Accompanied by his in-laws, Michael, 38, from Manor Park, East London, added: “It’s important to not let the gambling aspect dominate; only spend what you can comfortably lose.”
“You have the option to bet or simply enjoy a night out with food and drinks. It really is an affordable evening.”
Entry costs are quite low compared to attending a Premier League football match.
Free admission is offered from Monday to Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
At other times, entry is only £7.
A café serves £4 beef burgers and hotdogs, while cheesy chips are available for £4.50.
For those in search of heartier meals, the Pavilion Restaurant offers dishes like pork belly and T-bone steaks.
