NATHAN Corden believes the future is bright for Nottingham Greyhound Stadium.

With greyhound tracks around the country either closing or being threatened with closure, Corden insists the Colwick Park venue has what it takes to be a success.

"It's going to be hard work," he said. "That's one thing I'm sure about but the prospects are good and we have a good team at Nottingham. They have the ability to make the stadium the best it can possibly be."

Corden returns to the track as director of sales, marketing and public relations after four years working for Arena Leisure, running Warwick Racecourse for a short spell and Southwell Racecourse.

He finishes at the Rolleston track with his last horse race meeting this Sunday and then embarks on a family holiday before taking up his duties alongside his sister Rachel, who is the managing director, and general manger Dave Baldwin, at the beginning of next month.

"I left the greyhound track because I wanted to broaden my experience and improve my business education," he said. "I've had a fantastic four years at Southwell and would like to pay a huge tribute to all the staff there for their hard work and dedication.

"I've definitely learned a lot in the last four years. However, my heart has always been in greyhound racing and I'm really looking forward to returning.

"Everyone at the track has their own strengths and we can work together to make it a success. I'm looking to bringing some of the ideas I've learned from my time in horse racing to benefit the track.

"I believe the customers are out there, I've just got to help to get them coming down to our track."

During his tenure at Southwell, it has been enjoying booming crowds and record entries.

The attendance figures jumped for the last four years and their Ladies Day meeting in August attracted a record crowd of more than 5,000, while their big jump's fixture family day earlier this season attracted more than 3,000.

Racing at the greyhound stadium takes place three times a week, all year round, and with more than 2,000 spectators per week.

On a typical race night, the restaurant and snack bar are full to capacity and the kitchens have to cater for around 350 dinners.

"Hopefully, we can have the same success at Nottingham," said Corden. "I know times are difficult for greyhound racing but I believe we have the staff and facilities at the track to be a success."

The old Nottingham White City track was sold for development in 1970 and re-opened on its present site in 1980. Nathan's dad, Terry, took over in 1988 after he sold Derby.

Terry's interest in greyhounds was ignited in 1959 when he went to Wolverhampton to watch the Charity Shield match between Forest and Wolves.

"Back in those days the Charity Shield was played at the ground of the League champions who happened to be Wolverhampton that year," said Nathan.

"My dad, who was a big Forest fan, went to watch the match and got talking to some of their fans.

"He asked them what they did at night for a bit of fun and they said they usually went to the dogs. He joined them, got hooked and the rest is history."

Soon after, Terry got a part-time job at the old White City track on Meadow Lane and, from there, moved to Derby where he worked his way up to be in charge.

He liked it so much he bought the lease on the Derby track and then sold it for a healthy profit at the height of the property boom in 1988.

At one stage, Corden senior owned the Nottingham, Sheffield and Derby tracks. He sold the Sheffield track soon after the Hillsborough disaster, when the council closed it for safety reasons.

After that he decided to form a limited company with Nathan and his daughter Rachel, and they put their combined efforts into the Nottingham track.

Now Nathan is back where his heart is and Terry can continue to take a back seat while Nathan and Rachel run the set-up.