The White Knight

Jolly good Post.

Also by Peterborough, Swindon - these are also "big names" in Speedway too.

Crumbs - I didn't know Chris had been promoted. 😉🤣

Will the 'powers that be' do anything about this though? Personally - I doubt it.

Maybe that is the way Speedway is going right now, unfortunately.

How very true.

I got hooked in 1964. Speedway, of which I new little or nothing, arrived in Sunderland in 1964. The Sunderland 'Saints' were born. I attended the first Meeting not sure what to expect. From the first race I was captured by the noise, the smell (Castrol 'R') the excitement, the thrills and the spills. What a Sport, I thought - this is for me. Nine weeks later it was all over. Granted the weather was not very kind to us, however we had no rain offs. The 'Saints' closed because of weather and lack of support, so the Promoters said. However, the Gates were not that bad - I know because I was there at all of the Meetings. The Promoters though had a hidden agenda. Newcastle 'Diamonds' who were third in the League took our Ken Sharples and the Wolverhampton ''Wolves' who were bottom of the League acquired Jim Airey, Gordon Guasco, and Colin McKee. That Season, Newcastle finished as League Champions with Sharples scoring well for them and Wolverhampton finished in third place thanks to getting our riders. Promoters Bridgett and Parker claimed that the crowds were too low. The penultimate Meeting had an attendance of 6,000 (source - Sunderland Echo). No, it wasn't crowds or weather that closed Sunderland, it was the fact that both Promoters wanted to strengthen, what they regarded as their premier Teams. Sunderland was sacrificed purely in the interests of Newcastle 'Diamonds' and Wolverhampton 'Wolves'. Am I bitter - well the answer to that is a resounding YES. Even after fifty six years, it still leaves a sour, nasty taste in my mouth.

Personally, I blame the GP System. I honestly think that Speedway was a much better Sport to watch before the GP's started. I thought from the first time the GP System was brought in to existence, in Speedway that it would be the long, slow death knell of British Speedway. I believe that, desperately sadly, I have been proved right. A number of things have contributed to people's disillusionment with British Speedway. Firstly, the League system we have is challenging, to say the least, with the 'Play Off' system and fitting all the Meetings in before the end of the Season. Secondly, not all tracks have a 'One'Off' Individual Meeting - a source of great pleasure to the Supporters - those who pay to attend, by the way. Pairs Meetings, Four Team Tournaments are now, it seems, no longer fashionable and no longer exist. Thirdly, the Bikes are far and away too fast for the Tracks that the riders are expected to race on, resulting in more injuries. Said Tracks are STILL very similar to those Tracks back in the years Speedway started (1920's). Bikes and Accessories have moved forward with development, the Tracks have not. Finally, I believe that the introduction of the Four Valve Engine was another contributor to Speedway's demise. If only we could go back to 2 Valve engines, 'One Off'World Finals, Second Halves, no 'Play Off' so the Team that actually win the League really do win it. Integrity is important and folks don't like to be cheated of the fair and just result. I know most folk will think that I am talking nonsense to which I can only say - LOOK AT SPEEDWAY NOW AND LOOK AT SPEEDWAY THEN. There is a tremendous difference, and NOT for the better either. No the wonder people are walking away, the Price to go to a Meeting has risen enormously for the Meeting only, with no extras like the old Second Half. All of these things are contributors to the decline of our Sport.

Such a shame. I never saw him ride, but my condolences go out to his family and friends. Tragic. R.I.P. +

Judging by your insight, experience and knowledge - you are probably right.

Thanks for the many happy memories you've conjured up, and for all of your efforts over the years. 👍🙂

Yup!!!

Thank you very much for your efforts Doug. They are/were very much appreciated.

We must agree to differ. 🙂

I edited my Post. I have enjoyed our discussion. It is good that we can discuss these things amicably. 👍 I really hope that you enjoy your Speedway too. That, in the end, is what it is all about. 🙂