It is with great sadness that we report the death of Peter Billingham.

One of the best know faces on the Midlands racing scene for at least four decades, the former WBA footballer trained greyhounds at Kings Heath, Cradley Heath, and Norton Canes but will be best remember for his long association with Monmore Green, where daughter Kim is still attached.

General Manager Paul Mason said: “This has come as a terrible shock. Kim is away on holiday at the moment but I have managed to get a message to her and send our sadness at this very difficult time.

“I haven’t seen Peter for a few weeks, but he has remained a regular visitor to the track and seemed in great spirits. I believe Peter may have succumbed to a stroke, though that is still to be confirmed.

“Peter will be remembered with great fondness by everyone at Monmore. He was a very popular man, always had a great story to tell and his experience of the industry was just immense. We tapped into that expertise on many many occasions.

“Our thoughts at the moment are with Kim and the family and we pass on more information when it becomes available.”