History

In its present form the FBGOA was formed in the 1980s and was invited by the British Greyhound Racing Board to represent owners at Board level.

Chairman Stuart Locke-Hart explains what the FBGOA is ....

"My involvement with the FBGOA started some six years ago when I stood for the committee as I thought owners got a rather raw deal considering what they bring to the sport - the dogs themselves! I was elected as Chairman a year ago and will continue to fight better recognition for owners. "The FBGOA is an organisation that represents affiliated owners' associations from all NGRC-affiliated tracks. * It has voice at the very highest level with two committee members sitting on the Board of the BGRB. One also sits on the Board of the British Greyhound Racing Fund (BGRF) - so all owners through their association can have a real say.

Connections of BGRB Greyhound of the Year 2004 Fire Height Dan

Owner Roy Flemingham with his Derby finalist Big Freeze plus trainer Brian Clemenson and team

and what it can do for you..

"The Federation is committed to promoting the advantage of having an owners' association at all stadiums. We will come and help set up the basic association for anyone keen to get involved. It should be done with the help of the track management as most now recognise that owners and their patronage and promotion of the facilities is an important part of the whole business.

"The FBGOA is very aware that the three main topics that concern owners are;

* prize money - we feel that it should bee a fair recognition to the investment we make in the track through our greyhounds.

* track welfare - our greyhounds are canine athletes that should be running on the best prepared and maintained surface.

* retired greyhounds - we all want our greyhounds to find a good home when they stop racing

"The Federation has representation on the committees that effect funding in all these areas (including the BGRB Racing Committee, the BGRB Welfare Committee and the BGRB itself. We also have members who are trustees of the Retired Greyhound Trust.)

"Most tracks have a retired greyhound body that help to re-home greyhounds which is usually run at least partly by owners and usually with the assistance of track management. An FBGOA membership at a track can help maintain communication with the national organisations including the RGT and may help secure funding and support from the national charity.

How to get involved

A joining fee for each affiliated Association of £35 is payable on October 1st each year. Only Bona Fide Owner's Associations or their equivalent at registered NGRC stadiums can apply*. Membership is not open to individuals, partnerships or syndicates and the Federation has the right to accept/reject or expel members is circumstances prevail. Each Association upon joining as a member may nominate a representative to attend FBGOA meetings and vote. Ultimately you could become one of the two members of the FBGOA Committee to take a place of the Board of the BGRB.

(*However, there are various owners' associations, trainers' associations and some combined at many tracks that would be welcome to join the FBGOA. Please get in touch and we will happily come and speak to your body about the benefits of being FBGOA affiliated for just £35 a year.)

Member Tracks

Belle Vue
North West Owners and Breeders Group
Secretary: Carole Hardy-Fenwick - Tel: 0161 338 2816

Brighton & Hove
Secretary: Mrs J Abraham - Tel: 01403 865979 Email: theabrahamhouse@aol.com
Treasurer: Miss J. A. Bunting

Brough Park & Sunderland - C/o M. Fieldson, E-mail: FldsKt@aol.com

Hall Green
Chairman: Dr Terry Veasey - Tel: 0121 475 2391

Kinsley
Chairman: John Curran - Tel: 01977 610946 Email: michandakgs@aol.com

Milton Keynes
Chairman: George Murphy - Tel: 01908 318318
Roger Dimmock - Tel: 01908 320697

Oxford
Chairman: Stuart Locke-Hart - Tel: 01494 673185
Email: stuartlockehart@aol.com Mobile: 07802 22654
Treasurer: John Alcock - Tel: 01865 715140

Perry Bar
Perry Barr Owners Group: C/o Stephen Rea - Tel: 0870 840 7410

Poole
Chairman: Clive Evans - Tel: 01202 759502 Mobile: 07887 514552

Portsmouth
Owners Group: C/o Eric Graham - Tel: 02392 663232

Romford
Chairman: Doug Hayes - Tel: 01708 284364
Steve Simmons - Mobile: 07956 686480

Sheffield
Chairman: Mrs Joan Bell - Tel: 01142 694306
Kevin Griffiths - Tel: 01226 726986 Mobile: 07976 278008

Sittingbourne
Roger Cearns - Sittingbourne Greyhound Owners Group - Tel: 01795 475547

Walthamstow
Chairman: Mick Faithfull
Treasurer: Mr Clegg - Tel: 0208 5293286

Wimbledon
Chairman: Jim Boothby - Tel: 020 8230 8541
Secretary: John Waldron - Tel: 020 8647 6547
Email: jlwaldron@btinternet.com Mobile: 07849 641694

Yarmouth
Chairman: Gerard J. Nichols - Tel: 01493 740435