An Oral History of Speedway at Wimbledon Stadium
This project is being run by digital-works in conjunction with Wimbledon in Sporting History and The Dons Den.
For 77 years going to see the Wimbledon Dons speedway team race was a huge part of the history of leisure in Wimbledon and yet there is little to no trace of it. From the 1930s to the 50s it attracted sell-out crowds and thousands of Londoners would regularly go to their "home" track to see their team. The Stadium opened in 1928 and provided a source of entertainment and income to local people with staffing, cafes and tickets sales providing jobs. At the first meeting after WW2 a crowd of 46,000 were in the stadium with a further 10,000+ unable to gain access.
Speedway in Wimbledon was a family based sport covering multi generations, the husband and wife who followed the Dons in the 1930s then took their children in the 1940/50s, who in turn brought along their children in the 1970s. This would predominantly be a white working class fan base but the fans also reflected the international nature of the team with riders from across the world, in particular the Polish community who came from the local area to support their riders. The gradual then rapid decline of the sport reflects social changes around leisure time with a move towards TV and other sports with the final meeting for the original Dons team in 2005.
The project will explore, record and share this rich heritage using oral history as the primary means of research. A group of volunteers will be trained by digital-works to carry out the interviewing and recording that will lead to a documentary film. The full interviews will also be available to listen to on this website and all materials to be depositied with Merton Archives.
This project has been made possible with funding from the Merton Culture and Heritage Grants Programme and Wimbledon in Sporting History. We are grateful to AFC Wimbledon for their support.
Would you like to share your stories for an Oral History Project exploring stories of Speedway meetings at Wimbledon Stadium?
Oral history specialists digital-works are working with Wimbledon in Sporting History and Dons Den on a project that will explore and record the history of Londoners riding, visiting or working in speedway racing at Wimbledon Stadium.
We are looking for anyone who can spare an hour to share stories of their memories.
The interviews will form an important addition to Wimbledon in Sporting History, Merton and Dons Den archives and will form the basis of an educational documentary film.
You’ll be making history in this fun and fascinating project.
To find out more please contact:
Matthew Rosenberg
e mat@digital-works.co.uk
t 07949 107023
Oral history specialists digital-works are working with Wimbledon in Sporting History and Dons Den on a project that will explore the history of Londoners' experiences of Speedway Racing at Wimbledon Stadium.
We are inviting people to join this wonderful project. You will be part of a team, attend talks from historians, meet the people who made speedway racing one of London's most popular pastimes, go on a visit to a speedway race meeting and receive training in oral history techniques including interview and audio recording skills. After training you will be interviewing riders, stadium workers, fans and others involved in speedway leading to the production of a documentary film.
You will need to be a Merton Borough resident and available for three training days on the 13th, 16th & 17th April 2026, plus two further days interviewing the following week. An optional trip to Oxford Stadium is also being planned.
Training and interviews will take place between 10-4pm at AFC Wimbledon's stadium in Plough Lane.
No experience needed. Expenses covered. All welcome!
If you are interested in taking part in this fun and informative activity please contact:
Sav Kyriacou
sav@digital-works.co.uk
