Quibell Park Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, owned by North Lincolnshire Council, primarily used for athletics, cycling, and American football. The stadium consists of an outdoor velodrome, an athletics track, and a sports field. It is the current home stadium for the Scunthorpe Alphas American football team who play in the BAFA National Leagues.

History

The area was first opened as a showground and park in 1949 by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. It was named Quibell Park after Labour Party politician David Quibell, 1st Baron Quibell.[1] In 1965, the stadium was opened.[2]

Speedway in Scunthorpe began on 3 May 1971 at the Quibell Park Stadium[3] and a team known as the Scunthorpe Saints raced at the stadium from 1971 to 1978.[4]

During 1978, the relationship between the athletics club, the North Lincolnshire council and speedway team deteriorated, over issues about the track conditions. Promoter Brian Osborn was eventually forced to find a new home at Ashby Ville Stadium for the 1979 season.[5][6]

In 2008, the stadium was chosen as a possible training venue for the 2012 Summer Olympics.[7] The stadium is surrounded by a velodrome.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Royal Tour of Scunthorpe". Grimsby Daily Telegraph. 23 July 1949. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  2. ^ "Memories of Quibell Park from the American Football to speedway superstars". Scunthorpetelegraph. 2 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Speedway Racing". Gainsborough Evening News. 20 April 1971. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "1973 fixtures and results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Speedway Ashby Ville". Defunct Speedway. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Brewery boost for Stadium". Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph. 16 February 1978. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Quibell Park Stadium in Scunthorpe chosen as training camp for London 2012 Olympics". North Lincolnshire Council. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2009.[dead link]
  8. ^ Grose, Tim (21 March 1999). "Quibell Park Stadium". UK Running Track Directory. Retrieved 20 September 2009.

53°35′00″N 0°40′39″W / 53.583322°N 0.677511°W / 53.583322; -0.677511