The stadium was constructed in 1929 on a former power station ash tip. It was built for Birchfield Harriers athletics club. The Harriers badge carved by Bloye - a running stag - is still visible on the (now Perry Barr Greyhound) Stadium.
It was the venue used by Birchfield Cycling Club and the Sunbac Speedway Club dirt-track racing (speedway). Aston Villa Football Club teams also trained at the Stadium in the 1930s/40s.
It was requisitioned in WW2 and used by the Home Guard, as well as accommodating Italian prisoners of war; the last of these leaving in 1946 when the Harriers returned.
Floodlighting was installed for speedway events. The first floodlit athletics meeting in the UK was held in 1948 and floodlit horse jumping competitions were also held.
The Harriers moved to a newly built 'Alexander Stadium' in 1977 with the original venue renamed "Perry Barr Stadium".
Three 1939 images of Festival of Fitness displays at the grounds. Viv.
![image.jpeg image.jpeg](https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/data/attachments/46/46242-d7bd22b9336b4166d09298b3aff45dbc.jpg?hash=170iuTNrQW)
![image.jpeg image.jpeg](https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/data/attachments/46/46252-2b05f8edc3a1b18971d87c8d0efbaffd.jpg?hash=KwX47cOhsY)
It was the venue used by Birchfield Cycling Club and the Sunbac Speedway Club dirt-track racing (speedway). Aston Villa Football Club teams also trained at the Stadium in the 1930s/40s.
It was requisitioned in WW2 and used by the Home Guard, as well as accommodating Italian prisoners of war; the last of these leaving in 1946 when the Harriers returned.
Floodlighting was installed for speedway events. The first floodlit athletics meeting in the UK was held in 1948 and floodlit horse jumping competitions were also held.
The Harriers moved to a newly built 'Alexander Stadium' in 1977 with the original venue renamed "Perry Barr Stadium".
Three 1939 images of Festival of Fitness displays at the grounds. Viv.
![image.jpeg image.jpeg](https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/data/attachments/46/46241-a1868b831a6bacf434af04bfcfa51646.jpg?hash=oYaLgxprrP)
![image.jpeg image.jpeg](https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/data/attachments/46/46242-d7bd22b9336b4166d09298b3aff45dbc.jpg?hash=170iuTNrQW)
![image.jpeg image.jpeg](https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/data/attachments/46/46252-2b05f8edc3a1b18971d87c8d0efbaffd.jpg?hash=KwX47cOhsY)
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