The Dagenham Scandal

Dagenham Stadium opened in 1930 on previously unused fields located a mile south of Dagenham. This independent track featured a straightforward 380-yard oval where greyhounds could be trained or raced on event days. It was a laid-back venue for racing enthusiasts to gather, watch the races, and place bets. Alongside greyhound racing, speedway racing also took place at the track, making it a popular destination.

In 1935, the stadium was purchased by the owner of Romford Greyhound Stadium, marking the end of its status as an independent track and its transition to a licensed venue operating under the regulations of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC). 

The stadium underwent significant reconstruction in 1938, and when it reopened nearly a year later, it looked completely transformed. New stands were constructed, the track was modernised, a betting office was established, and betting shops were opened. As a result, 1939 is often regarded as the official opening date for the racecourse. Dagenham Stadium managed to endure both the Great Depression and World War II, but ultimately fell victim to the clever, albeit somewhat devious, strategies of a few inventive Londoners.

The Dagenham "Coup"

History does not reveal the reasons why Dagenham Stadium was chosen to host what the world in 1964 called the Dagenham coup, or Operation Sandpaper.

The plan of action was devised by a 37-year-old retired army officer from the Midlands who owned a small business, John Turner.

Alongside bookmaker Leslie Carey, who provided the funding for the venture, they executed one of the boldest schemes that nearly led to the downfall of bookmakers in England. The preparation for this "coup" spanned three months, with her bankroll totaling £6,000—£4,000 allocated for placing bets and £2,000 earmarked for expenses, which included compensating 170 hired assistants. The aim of the Dagenham court operation wasn't to destroy the stadium or harm the bookmakers, nor was it driven by personal vendetta or malice; rather, it was motivated by the allure of substantial financial gain and the timeless pursuit of profit.

The coup plan and its implementation

On Tuesday, June 30, 1964, the sixth edition of the 840-metre marathon took place with six competing dogs. Among them, two were clear underdogs, while the remaining greyhounds were expected to vie for the top positions.

Following the passage of the Law on the Legalisation of Bookmakers in 1961, bettors were no longer required to place their wagers at the stadium; they could instead bet remotely from bookmakers' offices. The first group of attendees utilised this option, making combination bets on four potential winners through London offices.

Meanwhile, the second group was present at the racecourse, where they occupied all the betting windows. They placed 11,000 bets of 2 shillings on the two underdogs, meticulously using small coins to avoid detection while dismissing others who sought to place their own bets. This surge in betting drove the odds for the stronger dogs up to a staggering, 9872 to 1.

A third group blocked all the phone lines at the track just before the race, preventing bookmakers from making necessary adjustments due to their suspicions.

At the stadium, only one winning ticket belonged to John Turner, who won £2,000—an amount Dagenham Stadium was obligated to pay him. However, bookmakers had issued an additional 300 winning tickets, collectively worth £600,000, which would equate to around £11 million in 2015.

Lawsuits and Proceedings

The bookmakers, devastated by the incident, chose not to honour any winning tickets. A group of fifty prominent bookmakers, including Ladbrokes, Coral, and William Hill, convened at the Victoria Club in London, where they collectively decided to void bets placed on the race and issue refunds. Additionally, they planned to take legal action against the management of Dagenham Racecourse for allowing improper betting practices. 

They also filed a lawsuit against John Turner, the organiser of the scam, who subsequently countersued Romford Stadiums Ltd., the owners of Dagenham. This initiated a lengthy legal process that lasted nearly three years. 

The scandal stirred significant public interest, with discussions erupting across homes, workplaces, and public transport about the unfolding situation. The bookmakers’ refusal to pay winnings, despite it being an unwritten rule in betting, resulted in a loss of public trust. Ultimately, some bookmakers opted to compensate players who had not participated in the scheme, as well as their regular customers.

At the end of the trial, Mr Justice Poll found John Turner and his team not guilty. He praised his ingenuity and regretted that the law prevented a lawsuit against bookmakers who defaulted on their money. He also awarded Dagenham Stadium costs and the payment of John Turner's winning ticket.

Dagenham Stadium Closure

The Dagenham coup scandal generated significant negative publicity for the stadium, prompting the Romford Greyhound Company to put the site up for sale before the legal proceedings concluded. In an attempt to save face, they attributed the sale not to the Dagenham incident, but to government restrictions mandating that races be held simultaneously at both the Romford and Dagenham venues, a situation that would have dramatically decreased attendance at both tracks.

Reynolds Packaging ultimately purchased the property for £185,000, planning to construct new warehouses. The final race took place on March 23, 1965, after which the racecourse fell into neglect for two years before all buildings were demolished.

John Turner became infamous in British dog racing history for orchestrating the largest scam in the industry. Was he satisfied with the case's outcome? The bookmakers didn’t pay him, leading to the loss of a substantial jackpot. This incident served as a cautionary tale, resulting in strengthened security measures and a crackdown on potential fraud. The principle of fair play has since been restored at the racetracks.