Found this on - http://www.newportpast.com/hd/chronology.htm

"1932 Somerton Park is purchased by the Cardiff Arms Park Co. and Newport County play their first match there on August 27th against Clapton (Leyton) Orient."

anyone know what the connection was with Cardiff Arms Park ?

penycwm county wrote:Found this on - http://www.newportpast.com/hd/chronology.htm

"1932 Somerton Park is purchased by the Cardiff Arms Park Co. and Newport County play their first match there on August 27th against Clapton (Leyton) Orient."

anyone know what the connection was with Cardiff Arms Park ?

Greyhound racing.

I wondered why a rugby company would build a stadium for greyhound racing and football in Newport

The dog track lease on the old Arms Park ran until the 70s, there's a famous photo of Gareth Edwards coming up covered head to toe in indeterminate brown stuff after diving to score in a corner.

It was the presence of greyhound racing that was one of the reasons why County had to leave Somerton Park during WW11. Because of the blackout, evening dog races were not allowed. The stadium owners decided to give priority to the dogs on Saturday afternoons so leaving County with no ground. After playing a few matches at Rodney Parade and Rexville which did not bring in enough money to pay the wages they decided to suspend activities for the duration.

i thought the whole football league was suspended during the war ?

Micheal wrote:i thought the whole football league was suspended during the war ?

Correct, but Wartime Leagues were formed on a regional basis.

I still have a love/hate relationship with that old stadium. Some of my earliest and happiest memories are of being there with my late Dad but.....

After more than 55 years I cannot get the smell of those urinals out of my mind.

Cornish Exile wrote:

Micheal wrote:i thought the whole football league was suspended during the war ?

Correct, but Wartime Leagues were formed on a regional basis.

thanks i never knew that