Humbug Park
{{Short description|Sports venue in Fife, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Humbug Park
Crossgates Greyhound Stadium
| nickname =
| image =
| location = Inverkeithing Road
Crossgates
Fife
| coordinates = {{coord|56.081722|-3.376694|region:GB-FIF_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Scotland Fife
| pushpin_label = Humbug Park
| opened = 1911
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| owner = Fife Council
| operator = Crossgates Primrose
| surface = Grass
| capacity = 2,000
| tenants = Crossgates Thistle (1911–1916)
Crossgates Primrose (1926–1960, 1983–present)
Greyhound racing (1937–1953)
}}
Humbug Park also previously known as Crossgates Greyhound Stadium is a football ground and former greyhound racing track,{{cite web|url=https://greyhoundracingtimes.co.uk/2019/01/23/crossgates/ |title=Crossgates |website=Greyhound Racing Times |access-date=7 December 2024 }} on Inverkeithing Road in Crossgates, Fife, Scotland.{{cite web|url=https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/314420/688502/12/101070|title=OS County Series Fifeshire 1915|publisher=old-maps.co.uk}}
Origins
The name Humbug Park derives from a disused pit of the former Cuttlehill Colliery on which the ground is located.[http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/mmartin/fifepits/starter/central/pits/h/pit-9.htm Humbug Pits (Cuttlehill/Fordell)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315110806/http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/mmartin/fifepits/starter/central/pits/h/pit-9.htm |date=15 March 2012 }} Fife Pits and Memorial Book, by Michael Martin
Football
The ground is the home to Crossgates Primrose, a Scottish football club who play in the East of Scotland League.
Greyhound racing
In 1938, a greyhound promoter with ties to Kirkcaldy Greyhound Stadium, called Thomas Scott, took out a 15-year lease and made extensive alterations to the stadium, including the installation of lighting and the erection of a covered enclosure.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19381029/167/0009 |title=Luxury Ground for Juniors |work=Dundee Courier |date=29 October 1938 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 December 2024 }} The first race meeting is believed to have been held on 19 June.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19390119/169/0009 |title=Greyhound Track for Crossgates |work=Dundee Courier |date=19 January 1939 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 December 2024 }}
The racing distance was 275 yards and the racing took place regularly between 1937 until 1953. The track was independent (unlicensed) and took place on Friday and Saturday evenings and had a large mining community following.{{cite book|last=Barnes|first=Julia|title=Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File|page =413|year=1988|publisher=Ringpress Books|isbn=0-948955-15-5}}
In 1945, Scott applied for betting facilities for the 5,000 capacity venue, under the Betting and Lotteries Act 1934.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001062/19450804/008/0001 |title=Betting and Lotteries Act 1934 |work=Fife Free Press |date=4 August 1945 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 December 2024 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Scottish greyhound tracks}}
{{Football venues in Scotland}}
{{Football in Fife}}
Category:Football venues in Scotland
Category:Defunct greyhound racing venues in the United Kingdom
Category:Greyhound racing in Scotland
Category:Sports venues in Fife