The Boulevard is a multi-purpose stadium in Hull, England. The venue was saved from demolition and reopened on 25 October 2007 as the home of greyhound racing in the city. It can also be used as a community stadium hosting amateur rugby league matches.^[1]

[edit] History

In the past the ground was used mostly for rugby league matches and was the home stadium of Hull FC prior to the opening of KC Stadium. The main entrance was on Airlie Street, giving rise to Hull's nickname as 'the Airlie Birds'. When it closed, the stadium's capacity was 10,500 people. It hosted four matches in various Rugby League World Cups.

The stadium has also been used for football with Hull City A.F.C. using the ground at times for their home matches.

The ground consisted of three stands, the most popular being the Threepenny stand, where the majority of singing and chanting occurred. It was given its name when the stadium opened as it was 3 old pence for entry. The ground has a strong connection with the city's former fishing industry being not far from Hessle Road. A plaque was unveiled on the 'new' threepenny stand some years ago by STAND and Hull FC. Now rescued, the plaque will be returned as the Boulevard moves to a new era, not forgetting its past.

In 2000 the after Hull FC left its home ground a new promoter gained a lease from Hull City Council for two years with the intention of running greyhounds once again. Whilst they were negotiating for a possible third year the stadium's future looked in doubt due to a hostile takeover by a well known Stainforth promoter and an accountant Philip Webster of Cherry Burton. He failed to file a new lease and do repairs the council considered necessary so they refused to extend the lease.

On 25 October 2007 The Boulevard reopened for greyhound racing for the first time in 28 months. There were eight races in total. The stadium will also be used for reserve rugby league games.

[edit] Closure

On 17 June 2009 it was announced that the Boulevard will close to greyhound racing once again after less than 2 years. After going to once a week racing, promoter Dave Marshall pulled the plug on funding for the stadium. It is unknown what will happen to the stadium after its closure.^[2]

[edit] References

v • d • e Greyhound stadiums in Great Britain Licensed Stadiums Belle Vue Stadium • Brighton & Hove Stadium • Coventry Stadium • Crayford Stadium • Doncaster Stadium • Hall Green Stadium • Harlow Stadium • Henlow Stadium • Hull Stadium • Kinsley Stadium • Mildenhall Stadium • Monmore Green Stadium • Newcastle Stadium • Nottingham Stadium • Oxford Stadium • Pelaw Grange • Perry Barr Stadium • Peterborough Stadium • Poole Stadium • Portsmouth Stadium • Romford Stadium • Rye House Stadium •Shawfield Stadium • Sheffield Stadium • Sittingbourne Stadium • Sunderland Stadium • Swindon Stadium • Wimbledon Stadium • Yarmouth Stadium

v • d • e Hull City Association Football Club The club History · Players · Managers · Directors and chairmen · Seasons · Records · Kits · All articles Grounds The Boulevard · Anlaby Road · Boothferry Park · KC Stadium Other teams Hull City Women A.F.C. · Reserves and Academy Miscellaneous 2008 Football League Championship play-off Final · All matches · City Psychos Seasons 2008–09 · 2009–10

v • d • e Sport in Hull Football Hull City · North Ferriby United · Hall Road Rangers Hull City Women · Hull City Reserves Rugby League Hull F.C. · Hull Kingston Rovers East Hull · West Hull · Hull Dockers · Skirlaugh · Hull Isberg Ice Hockey (Defunct) Hull Stingrays Hull Thunder · Kingston Hawks · Humberside Hawks · Humberside Seahawks Other Sports (Defunct) Rugby Union: Hull Ionians · American Football: Hull Hornets · Speedway: Hull Vikings Venues (Defunct) KC Stadium · Craven Park · Hull Arena · Gemtec Arena · The Boulevard Old Craven Park · Boothferry Park · Anlaby Road · The Circle · Town Cricket Club Ground

Coordinates: 53°44′22″N 0°22′9″W / 53.73944°N 0.36917°W / 53.73944; -0.36917