More than likely! Although Cradley Heath were also blocked from bringing in a lower average rider in 1979 (Teromaa for Bastable), because it still left them over the point limit, which was 50 by then. At some point after that, it was allowed to make a change as long as the rider coming in had a lower average, even if that change still left you above the limit (i.e. the rule that has stayed in place to this day). I've never completely understood how the 1977 points limit worked. I think it was based on start of season averages rather than how they developed across the season. By 1979, it was current averages and several teams ran squad systems at the start of the season to manipulate a way around the 50 point limit!    

Thanks for the update Lenny. With regard to track work, does that include any alterations (i.e. shape, alterations etc) or just pre-season preparation work?

1st home meeting 2 weeks after Pairs & CLRC

Except that's only half the story. Proch actually replaced Glynn Taylor - which brought the Reading team's average down. Add Silver's spurious claim that Reading should only have one work permit rider and the latitude allowed Bristol and White City then I will continue to assert we were stiched up.

It was actually 52 (including bonus) in 1977.  Reading were the first team to come a cropper, when it was found their new signing (Boleslaw Proch) had transgressed the rules and they had to release him - but not before Reg Fearman had run his team above the limit for a couple of months! 

Getting too technical for me 😄 As for Harris/ did they drop him, or did he prefer a move?  Can only think that Oxford/B'ham are competing for Thorsell?