Speedway racing comes to New Cross Stadium on April 18, 1934, when promoter Fred Mockford relocates his Crystal Palace team in the new stadium at Hornshay Street, just off the Old Kent Road. New Cross beats West Ham 32-21 in a National League match before a rambunctious Wednesday night crowd of over 14,000.
New Cross entertained the "Wednesday Nighters" when riders such as Ron Johnson, George Newton, "American Ace" Jack Milne and Tommy Farndon tore up the 262 yard track (it was lengthened to 278 yards when it was reopened in 1959). Jack Milne lost his right thumb in 1937 and while recovering practiced a new-style throttle control on his hospital bed rail. Once out of the hospital he carried on as good as ever even finishing the season as the new World Champion, taking the title from the Australian Lionel van Praag.
The Stadium was home of the National League Speedway Champions in 1938 & 1948 and also to winners of the London Cup in 1934, 1937 and again in 1947.
The New Cross Rangers Speedway team operated from 1937 until their closure in 1953. New Cross were originally known as the New Cross Lambs from 1934 to 1935 and then the New Cross Tamers in 1936.
The track was often referred to as 'The Frying Pan'. It was built inside the greyhound track and had banking all the way round.
New Cross Stadium was used as a film set for some of the action and crowd scenes for the film "Once a Jolly Swagman" which starred Dirk Bogarde.
