GBGB decision signals the end for Coventry Dogs

Coventry Dogs had announced that last Saturday’s meeting would be their last after it was revealed the sale of the stadium site in Brandon was ‘imminent’.

A lack of long-term security and an inability to sign up sponsors were cited as reasons for its closure.

However, there was a U-turn after a mystery backer stepped in, with plans in place to return to racing tomorrow night and Saturday subject to Greyhound Board approval.

But following a meeting with the GBGB in which their licence was revoked it seems there is no way back for the track.

General manager Bob Webb plans to fight the decision but, with no appeals process in place, he admits it looks a forlorn task.

“The GBGB said that because we said we were closing last Saturday we had to stick to it,” said Webb.

“We don’t accept it and we are sending a legal letter but I don’t think it will make any difference.

“We were solid and had a backer in place but unless we get a change of decision in the next 48 hours all our trainers will have jumped ship and everything we have built up will have gone.”

Coventry reopened in 2012 with promoter Harry Findlay ruffling industry feathers with his grandiose plans to shake up the greyhound scene.

The renowned gambler promised to take money from the bookmakers and promoters and give it back to the punters and Webb feels that despite Findlay having walked away from Coventry, his association with the track influenced the GBGB decision.

“We were revolutionary and Harry was anti-establishment.

“They were just looking for an excuse to close us down.”