Old Meadowbank Stadium: A History of Football and Speedway
Before the modern sporting complexes of Edinburgh were established, Old Meadowbank served as a versatile hub for athletic competition. From the early 20th century until its redevelopment for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, the site hosted a variety of sporting events, most notably football and motorcycle speedway, leaving a lasting mark on the city's sporting heritage.
Football at Old Meadowbank
From the 1930s until their dissolution in 1955, Leith Athletic called Old Meadowbank their home. The venue was not only a base for league play but also a site for experimental sporting events. In the early 1950s, the stadium hosted a match against an invitation XI featuring Arsenal player and Edinburgh native Jimmy Logie.
This particular event was significant because it was played under temporary floodlights—artificial lighting used to allow games to take place after dark. Notably, this occurred before Edinburgh's two primary senior clubs, Hearts and Hibernian, had installed their own permanent floodlighting systems.
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The Era of Motorcycle Speedway
Old Meadowbank is perhaps most remembered as a motorcycle speedway track. Speedway is a form of motorcycle racing held on oval tracks with a dirt surface. The track operated in two distinct periods: from 1948 to 1954, and again from 1960 to 1967. Geographically, the track was situated between the current Meadowbank Stadium and the Meadowbank Velodrome, positioned roughly perpendicular to the modern 5-aside football pitch.
The Edinburgh Monarchs and Early Success
The stadium was the home of the Edinburgh Monarchs. While the team struggled for collective success in the early years, they were instrumental in introducing Australian rider Jack Young to the UK scene. Young achieved global stardom, winning the World Championship in 1951 while riding for the Monarchs.
Despite this individual success, the sport faced economic hardship. In 1954, speedway ceased operations at the site because the post-war entertainment tax made the sport financially unviable.
Tragedy and the Return of Racing
The track was also the site of a profound tragedy. On September 20, 1963, Peter Craven, a two-time World Champion (1955 and 1962) from England, was involved in a fatal accident. While attempting to avoid the fallen race leader, George Hunter, who had suffered engine failure, Craven struck the fence. He succumbed to serious head injuries four days later in the hospital.
Following the abolition of the entertainment tax, speedway returned to Edinburgh in 1960. During the late 1950s, the track had been used for training and hosted an Edinburgh Students Charities meeting in 1959. The revived Monarchs became founder members of the Provincial League (1960–1964) and later the British League in 1965.
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Redevelopment and Legacy
The tenure of the Monarchs at Old Meadowbank ended in 1967 to make way for the redevelopment of the stadium for the 1970 Commonwealth Games. Speedway was excluded from the new facility because the government refused to fund stadiums used by professional sports.
The displaced Monarchs spent two seasons racing at Cliftonhill in Coatbridge before the promotion sold the license to a consortium that reopened Wembley Stadium for speedway. The sport eventually returned to Edinburgh at Powderhall Stadium from 1977 to 1995. Today, the Edinburgh Monarchs are based at the Armadale Stadium in West Lothian.
Key Facts
- Leith Athletic played at the site from the 1930s until 1955.
- Jack Young won the 1951 World Speedway Championship as a Monarchs rider.
- The track operated in two phases: 1948–1954 and 1960–1967.
- Peter Craven, a two-time World Champion, died following a crash at the track in 1963.
- The site was redeveloped for the 1970 Commonwealth Games.
| Sport/Event | Period/Date | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Football (Leith Athletic) | 1930s–1955 | Hosted early floodlit matches. |
| Speedway (Phase 1) | 1948–1954 | Home to Jack Young (1951 World Champion). |
| Speedway (Phase 2) | 1960–1967 | Founder members of Provincial and British Leagues. |
| Commonwealth Games | 1970 | Reason for the stadium's redevelopment. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which football team played at Old Meadowbank?
Leith Athletic played at the stadium from the 1930s until the club ceased to exist in 1955.
Why did speedway stop at Old Meadowbank in 1954?
The sport became unprofitable due to the imposition of the post-war entertainment tax.
Who was Jack Young?
Jack Young was an Australian speedway rider for the Edinburgh Monarchs who won the World Championship in 1951.
What happened to the Edinburgh Monarchs after 1967?
They raced at Cliftonhill in Coatbridge for two seasons before the license was sold. The team later returned to Edinburgh at Powderhall Stadium (1977–1995) and is currently based at Armadale Stadium.
Why wasn't speedway included in the 1970 Commonwealth Games stadium?
The government of the time would not provide funding for stadiums that were used by professional sports.