The first bicycle race at the ground was during the 6th annual Selby Floral and Horticultural Association show on 20th July 1876. There was a two miles bicycle race in the sports, but unfortunately there were only two competitors. By 1881, these sports were held annually and the popularity of bicycle racing had increased and there were two bicycle races. The Selby Flower Show, with bicycle races would be held for the next 40 years, with attendances peaking at 4,000.
The Selby Londesborough Cricket Club sports were held on 6th August 1886 and included a one mile bicycle race.
Three American cyclists visited Selby on 18th August 1887 and competed in a series of races, the American riders were Ralph Temple (Chicago), William Woodside (Philadelphia) and the manager of the team William J Morgan (New York). They raced against two British professionals, W Tyre of Newcastle and J Wood of London. In addition to the races, Temple gave an exhibition of trick riding.
At the 1891 flower show there were three bicycle races, watched by over 2,500 people. In spite of the organisers trying to stamp out betting at their meetings, the Selby Times reported "there were a number of professional book-makers present, who entirely disregarded the warnings so conspicuously posted around the field ‘No betting allowed.'"
Selby Abbey Band held an evening sports meeting on 30th July 1895, which included a one mile bicycle race. Selby Wheelers cycling club held an evening meeting on 20th July 1899 with four bicycle races.
Mr Bowman, the proprietor of the Londesborough Arms Hotel retired in 1899 and the community of Selby were concerned that the Earl of Londesborough might sell the Bowling Green to developers, so a petition was given to him expressing their fears. The Earl died in 1900, but the Bowling Green continued to be used by permission of the new Earl.
For the Coronation of Edward VII, a special fete and sports were held in 1902. The Selby Cottage Hospital Gala was first held in 24th July 1903, it included a bicycle race. The gala also included a 16 mile walking race, finishing at the Green, and "the proprietors of OXO provided each man with a flask of their sustaining drink." The Cottage Hospital Gala was held just after the flower show, but both events seemed to flourish.
The Cottage Hospital sports seemed to run all through the First World War, through to 1922. After that there was a parade and gala on the recreation ground. The Selby Flower Show ran until the First World, it was succeeded by the Selby Agricultural and Athletic Society Show which commenced on 7th July 1921, and included a one mile bicycle race, but this show soon disappeared.
Selby Bowling Club was formed in 1901, their home ground was the Bowling Green and the club entered into a 21 year tenancy for the ground in 1910. It seemed that after the First World War, organisations had difficulty in obtaining permission to use the Bowling Green for sports and other activities.
Selby Town FC moved from the Bowling Green to their current home Flaxley Road ground in the 1950s. Selby Bowling Club still play at the Bowling Green. Part of the site was developed as a car park for Morrisons supermarket and a Jehovah Witnesses church was also built there.
** The Earl of Londesborough inherited the land from his father who had purchased the manor of Selby and other estates for about £270,000 in 1854.