Belgrave Cricket & Cycle Ground

In 1879, the Belgrave Road Cricket and Bicycle Ground Company was established with £10,000 in share capital. By November of the same year, they secured an 8-acre plot under a 21-year lease for £80 annually to construct their new grounds. Plans included a cycle track measuring three laps to the mile, along with a gymnasium and a trotting track. The grounds were rapidly completed at a cost of £1,400 and opened during Whitsuntide in 1880. The cinder cycle track was a nearly circular 440 yards in length and 15 feet wide.

The track’s inaugural meeting took place on May 15th, 1880, with the main attraction being a one-mile race for a championship belt and a £20 prize. John Keen emerged victorious, followed by Walter Phillips and Robert Patrick, clocking a time of 3 minutes and 15.6 seconds. The second day of the sports drew a significant crowd of 10,000 spectators. The opening year of 1880 proved to be very active for Belgrave Road. Following the initial opening, numerous meetings were held throughout the month, culminating in a large event during the August bank holiday. Additionally, a series of Monday evening bicycle races were organized throughout the summer. This impressive first year was achieved despite strong competition from the Aylestone Road Ground, which had opened two years prior in 1878.

The popularity of bicycle racing persisted throughout the 1880s, and the Belgrave Road organisers staged a series of track championship races to attract audiences. On March 28th, a 20-mile race held in front of 8,000 spectators resulted in a tie between Dick Howell and Fred Lees. Championship races covering distances of 20, 25, and 30 miles were held throughout the summer. To address criticisms of slow pacing, additional five-shilling prizes were awarded to the leading riders at the end of each mile.

A concerning report appeared in the December 17th, 1885 edition of The Sportsman, titled “Disposal of the Belgrave Road Grounds, Leicester.” The article detailed the financial pressures to redevelop the extensive grounds for commercial buildings, a common trend in the late 1880s and 1890s that led to the closure of many prominent cycle tracks. The track’s financial viability was undermined by competition from Aylestone Road, the lack of success of trotting races at Belgrave Road, and the repeated denial of a premises license by local magistrates. In 1885, an offer of £5,000 was made for the track’s leasehold, and the directors were advised to accept it.

However, the leasehold offer was apparently not taken up, as bicycle racing continued in 1886 with little change, although attendance began to decline. Bicycle race meetings became less frequent in the 1890s, and by 1894, a 20-mile professional race attracted only four participants. By 1895, bicycle racing at Belgrave Road had ceased altogether.

Today, the Belgrave Ground is primarily remembered for its links with Leicester Fosse (later Leicester City) and Leicester Football Club (Tigers – rugby). Notably, in June 1881, it also hosted a Leicestershire County Cricket Club match against an All England XI. Leicester Fosse’s tenure at the Belgrave Ground was brief, lasting only the 1887-88 season, during which they played up to 13 matches. Their sole competitive fixture there saw them defeat St Saviour’s 5-0 in the first round of the Leicestershire Senior Cup. The original tie, which Fosse won 4-2, was ordered to be replayed due to fading light. Records exist for only five friendly matches, with Fosse securing a single victory against Leicester Wanderers and losing four. The outcomes of the remaining matches are unknown, and there is uncertainty regarding whether some of the games listed in historical records actually took place. During the 1887-88 season, Leicester Fosse Reserves played their home games at Victoria Park and Spinney Hill Park.

The Belgrave Road Grounds ultimately closed in 1901, and the site was redeveloped with houses and shops, now known as Roberts Road and Buller Road. A portion of the land between MacDonald and Law Street was developed by The British United Shoe Company, Leicester’s largest manufacturing firm. Their Union Works operated from 1899 to 2000 and employed 4,000 people at its peak.

Description of the ground:….. “a handsome ground, suitable for cricket and trotting matches, bicycle races, athletic sports, flower shows, and all kinds of outdoor fete. There are two entrances, both from Belgrave road, close to which he dressing rooms are placed. These are fitted with every convenience for competitors. Other rooms are provided, one of which is to be the committee room. The trotting track is well laid, with a width of 25 feet, and three laps to the mile. Inside this is the bicycle course, equally well laid, 15 feet wide, and four laps to the mile. At the top end , also on the Belgrave side, he two tracks join, and continue together for some distance, but the requisite distinction is clearly drawn by rail fence. On the Ross’s walk side there are other two entrances through which will be admitted the paraphernalia belonging to travelling shows which may at any time occupy the ground. For sprint races, a track 200 yards long has been formed, and will be found exceedingly useful. Mr E T Hutchinson, of Humberstone-road, had the contract for levelling, and constructing the track, and the boundary wall erected by Mr W Cox, of Burton-street. Although the preparations are in a very forwards state, it must not be supposed that the ground is complete – in fact there has not been time enough to carry out the scheme of the company in all its details. It is proposed to build a stand, capable of holding 2,000 or 3,000 persons, while a gymnasium and hotel form part of the plans…..” Leicester Chronicle– 22 May 1880