A Look Into Histories 2

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SEVEN

NELSON SPEEDWAY AND NELSON FC

Nelson, 3 miles north of Burnley developed as a Lancashire mill town in the Industrial Revolution and its football club, founder members of the Lancashire League in 1889-90 came to the notice of the Nation in 1921 when they were elected into the newly formed Football League Division Three North playing at the Park Ground, Carr Road, Seedhill. In 1923 they won their division and were promoted but only lasted one season, came second bottom and returned to Division Three until a last place in 1931 meant they failed to be re-elected after winning only 6 games. Having folded in 1936 the modern club was formed in 1946 and played in the Lancashire Combination until 1982, then the North West Counties League up to the present save 4 season in 1988 in the West Lancashire League. The ground was their home from 1905 until 1968 when they moved to the Victoria Park.

In the meantime, Mike Parker Promotions, having failed to set up Speedway in Blackpool used the facility of Stock Cars to form Nelson Admirals in 1967 with challenge matches prior to joining the new British League Division Two in 1968 as founder members and finished runners-up. In 1969 they were 13th but, halfway through the season of 1970 after only 10 matches they shut up shop at Nelson and moved the whole operation over the Pennines to Bradford commencing with a match against Eastbourne on June 24th. Stock Cars continued but the stadium was eventually demolished in 1980 to make way for the M85. Some parts are still extant.

Our Match Programme is for that final match for the Admirals, a league encounter with Peterborough Panthers on Saturday June 20th 1970 and the editorial knew that readers would “have a lump in your throat”. They hoped to be back next season and there was even an advert for a Trophy Match on July 4th, Adults 5/- and Children 3/- but neither happened. That final result was a resounding 56-22 victory for the Admirals with Robin Adlington winning the last race.