Clampdown on greyhound race betting fraud results in jail time

Greyhound racing began in this country back in 1926 when the first track opened at Belle Vue in Manchester and the popularity of the sport spread to Preston in May 1932 when the Preston Greyhound Stadium opened on Acregate Lane.

- with Keith Johnson

With social club premises built over the stands the sport flourished in Preston with meetings held three times a week on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in its heyday. It was certainly a fast and furious way to lose your money with races taking barely 30 seconds to complete.

During the Second World War greyhound racing, unlike many other sports, continued to take place, although the chance of a flutter was restricted initially to a Saturday afternoon.

In January 1942 there were suspicions that some visitors to the track had been fraudulently presenting tickets which had been altered to claim winnings from the Tote and the police became involved. As a result five young men appeared before the Preston magistrates charged with stealing by trick £32 from the Preston Greyhound Racing Association.