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I know more pressing matters at moment, but sent off £480 in January for season tickets. Had an acknowledgement but cheque not cashed till I believe March. I have doubts that we will see any Speedway this season , in fact the longer this goes on I fear we will not see Panthers again. Asked for money back and told request sent to accounts department, nothing heard since. If it helps Panthers I am willing to let things be , but I am not willing to help management who treat disabled fans in such a shameful and callous way.

Compare the stats with those of another 'magnificent 7'. Ivan Mauger averaged 9.00+ for 14 consecutive seasons, with 11 seasons at 10.00+ and 8 seasons at 11.00+ Barry Briggs averaged 9.00+ in 20 consecutive full seasons he competed (he missed one and virtually all of another), with 13 seasons over 10.00 and 3 over 11.00 Ronnie Moore averaged 9.00+ in 16 consecutive seasons in which he competed (he missed 1957 and 1964 to 1968), with 11 over 10.00 and 2 over 11.00 Bjorn Knutson averaged 9.00+ in 5 consecutive seasons, but only competed in 6 in Britain, with 2 seasons over 10.00 Peter Craven averaged 9.00+ in 8 consecutive seasons until his tragic loss, with 6 over 10.00 and 2 above 11.00 Ove Fundin averaged 9.00+ in 12 consecutive seasons in which he competed (with the commuting Swedes banned from the British League in 1965), with 9 above 10.00 and 4 above 11.00 Ole Olsen averaged 9.00+ in 15 consecutive seasons, with 11 above 10.00 and 3 over 11.00

No, it was bloody awful wasn't it. The crowd booed and stormed out of the stadium never to return. It's pretty clear you're just trolling now. I'm no Harris fan but that was one of the greatest moments in recent speedway history... in fact of all time.

Thought long and hard about this. I was lucky enough to watch the great Ipswich sides of the '70's and had a Dad who took me to lots of away meetings. The 1975-76 seasons, which Ipswich won with a team of home grown, local riders, all born within 20 miles of the stadium plus Billy Sanders who'd only ridden for the Witches since he was 16, were great. Never properly recognised for the achievement it was and also proved you can compete and be successful without using guests. Saw every Ipswich home and away in '81. 82, 84 and 98, seeing the Cowboy develop in 81 was fantastic, the 84 league and cup double a pleasant surprise and the 98 super team was a little dull to watch at home but superb away. But I'm not picking any of them. I'm going for 1990, another season I was fortunate enough to watch every match home and away . After John Berry left we had three disastrous, embarrassing seasons under the ownership of the charlatan Chris Shears. When he was finally kicked out we dropped down to the National League and it was like a breath of fresh air. The two seasons, 1989 and 90 provided great speedway, the Northern tours and were immense fun, with 1990 just shading '89 for entertainment. A young exciting side lead by for me the most entertaining (and brave to the point of lunacy!) rider to ever wear the Witch - Moggo. Great days, but we actually won bugger all that year!

Gave the chap on Tesco checkout a fiver yesterday to have a pint on me. You'd have thought I'd offered to pay he's mortgage he was so grateful. Made me think I don't reckon many had made the gesture. Then again I don't know where he's going to buy the pint

Anyone can have an Audi, BMW, Mercedes etc. these days if they’re willing to pay monthly and never own the vehicle. Doesn’t mean the fans are affluent, just that they might not have their priorities in the right place. Speedway fans, Speedway mindset.

Were they really two of the greatest races ever seen? Would the similar races in a league match be seen the same way? It was the very fact that they were World Final races in a packed Wembley stadium that made those races stand out through time. For me, possibly the best race I've ever seen was the heat 13 at Belle Vue, when Max Fricke went from last to first while the other 3 riders kept changing positions. The races between Penhall and Olsen/Knudsen never came close to that. But they are the ones that will go down in history. And that is because they were at a Wembley world final. You talk about poor racing at Cardiff, but Harris beating Hancock to win a Grand Prix final was on a par with the Penhall races from Wembley.

Cardiff definitely shouldn't be removed from the calendar for Manchester, Manchester should be added to the list with Cardiff

Well I found that to be a great hour and a half’s watch, really enjoyed it. The main thing I got from it was the family’s desire to give something back to the area in which they grew up. I’ve not been since 2009 and what a transformation the stadium and track has undergone, and what a professional outfit the club is. The best bit was the visit to the home of the bloke with the track in his garden Just one criticism, not enough Paulco

Looking at the league averages achieved in the top division as a measure of consistency shows the following: The peak years of the seven riders measured by the consecutive seasons in which they attained a 9.00+ average Terry Betts 1966-1977 (12 seasons) Nigel Boocock 1963-1972 (10) Eric Boocock 1965-1974 (10) Martin Ashby 1968-1977 (10) Ray Wilson 1967-1976 (10) Malcolm Simmons 1973-1980 (8) John Louis 1972-1979 (7) - there was a further season when he averaged 8.99 Nigel Boocock and John Louis averaged above 11.00 in one season each. The number of seasons in which the riders averaged over 10.00 in the league was: Eric Boocock 8 Nigel Boocock and Martin Ashby 7 Malcolm Simmons 5 Terry Betts 4 John Louis 4 Ray Wilson 2

All at Speedway Star are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Eric Linden, our founder and first-ever editor in 1952. Quite simply, without Eric, there would be no Speedway Star. Our thoughts are with his family and we will have a full tribute to Eric in next week's issue

I do! Whittaker somehow holding off every attempt by Moggo with Louis just pipping Galvin for third. I also remember the return match later in the season on a somewhat over watered track! Back to Moggo, the number of times you were left saying 'How the f--- did he do that?'

After doing the double in '88 it was obvious Hackney were going to lose a couple of riders to our new 'sister track.' It was no surprise to see Loram and Louis go but we were gutted to lose Moggo, because as you say he was entertainment personified! Remember the fantastic match between the clubs at Foxhall in 1990 when you beat us by a point? What a final heat with Whittaker, Moggo, Louis and Galvin!

Except that (a) Trevor Hedge didn't join Wimbledon until 1965, he was still at Norwich in 1964 (b) Trevor didn't ride at reserve in 1964

Sorry I'm not as old as you! Actually, I was born in 1962, so there was a small chance...

Another reason was Trevor Hedge. He was proving a match winner for Wimbledon going off scratch at reserve. I remember an article in SS I think by Eric Linden analysing his performance as an indictment of the handicap system.

Consecutive seasons in Britain with a 9.00+ average: Nielsen 16, Gundersen 9 (until injury ended his career), S Moran 8, Penhall all 5 seasons that he competed, K Moran 2 Number of seasons with an average of 10.00+ (not consecutive): Nielsen 13, Gundersen 6, Penhall 3, S Moran 1, K Moran 0 Number of seasons with an average of 11.00+ Nielsen 4, Gundersen 1, Penhall 1, S Moran 0, K Moran 0

Fancy you and Chunky both missing racing at the best track ever!

If I remember correctly, I think Nordin was one of the reasons the handicapping of The Big Five (or three by then) came to an end. Apart from not liking it anyway, when Nordin rode for Wimbledon in 1964, Fundin, Briggs and Knutson complained that they shouldn't have to give 10 yards to Nordin as he was as good as they were and most fans agreed. I think it was Briggo who settled the matter in the end by threatening to quit British speedway altogether if handicapping was not ended.

When this crisis is over, there will be less people prepared to pay those prices. Keeping a roof over their head will be the priority.

No disrespect to either of the above posts, but its not about you enjoying it live (As we all do) But it is at this time, airing it to a newer, wider audience and capturing their imagination as to what it would be like attending a live meeting. This is why it does not move forward to new audiences, as long as it suits me I don't care!!!!!!!!!!

Often quoted as the best rider never to win the world title.

some riders that night didn't fancy it

Isn't the aim to reward those in the NHS and not profit from them ? I would hope that the oft quoted wonderful BSF community, if they saw a NHS newcomer at a match, would actually buy them a drink / meal as a personal thank you and not rely on them buying their own; whoever gets the profits..

Colin Pratt also deserves a mention as a former Provincial League rider who came good.

Massive track and stadium. Enjoyed visiting New Cross, Wimbledon, Ackney, West Am, Wembley, never got to White City. Also loved the Coventry and Worky track and stadium, all sadly gone now.

I am blinkered sometimes !!!!! but the Briggs record is mighty impressive longevity the most impressive aspect. Looking through some stats from 1946/56 very interesting indeed how totally reliable they are i don't know.? TOP scorers from each year 1946.- Eric Langton-11.13. 1947. Vice Duggan - 11.54. 1948. Vice Duggan- 11.47. 1949.Vic Duggan- 10.64. 1950. Graham Warren.- 10.55. 1951. Aub Lawson- 10.31 1952. Ronnie Moore- 11.36. 1953. Jack Young - 10.61. 1954. Ronnie Moore- 10.59. 1955. Ronnie Moore- 10.87. 1956. Barry Briggs- 10.53. Mirac again with Duggan were both very dominant Mirac being in the top two riders from 1951 until 1956 an often forgotten LEGEND.

Much prefer a Strawberry Mivi, but if needs must

Great post BL impressive stats for all concerned, a year that always interested me was in 1969.Ivan Mauger dropped only a misely 9 points in 35 matches averaging 11.74 beating the immortal Vic Duggan who dropped only 11 points in 1947. This was the first time any rider had achieved an average dropping only single figures.

Crowds have improved recently(2019) as the track improvements have produced better racing. First time visitors more likely to return if the racings like last year. Still room for improvement with lengthy tractor breaks and presentation but its really dream land for us just now. Very few huge home wins maybe shows how fair the tracks now become too.

I'd like to see every multi millionaire/billionaire in this country, treat every one of the NHS key workers to a free holiday in the sun, once this is all over.

I'm told that when the self isolation is over, a volunteer force is to paint everything that stands still in the stadium. I assume that Sings will be one of them ? After all, it was his idea to start with.

1982. First full season watching. League champions, with a fellow kiwi, all time favourite rider Larry Ross riding at number 1. Mort and Pc in heat 13. A 16 year old andy Smith making his debut. Quality visiting riders who excelled around Hyde Rd, such as Carter, Gundersen, Penhall, S Moran. Good times!

No, but in the days when Peterborough rode matches there they were easier to stomach and had a bit more bite than many Panthers performances thats for sure only thing the same they both were normally battered

nice gesture, but unfortunately there are very few clubs that benefit from in stadium purchases these days

That's it for this year.

BARSBY, Charles Robert (Charlie) Born: April 29, 1930, Lowesby, Leicestershire, England.* Charlie was an exciting and occasionally wild riding performer who devoted the whole of his racing career to his local club, Leicester. He started his career at a Wilf Jay Training School near Chesterfield and had practice rides at Sheffield before making his debut for the ‘Hunters’ in April 1952. Once established in the side he cemented his place with a string of heart warming shows but his hectic style upset many rival riders and fans alike. Charlie’s best season came in 1956 when he finished with an average of 6.27 points per match, a figure which put him third in the ‘Hunters’ averages behind Ken McKinlay and Gordon McGregor and included twelve paid double figure scores. That winter he travelled for a racing season in Australia but suffered a fractured skull in a track accident and a combination of the recovery from the injury along with the fact that Leicester were now a top flight club meant his scoring never reached the same levels again. Charlie managed to retain his immense popularity at Blackbird Road and retired after ten years with the club had seen him make 239 league and cup appearances. 1952 Leicester NL2 44 92 82 18 100 4.35 1953 Leicester NL2 36 138 178 22 200 5.80 1954 Leicester NL2 20 74 87 10 97 5.24 1955 Leicester NL2 34 143 158 26 184 5.15 1956 Leicester NL2 32 169 225 40 265 6.27 1957 Leicester NL 19 69 49 17 66 3.83 1958 Leicester NL 12 43 37 9 46 4.28 1959 Leicester NL 12 48 40 11 51 4.25 1960 Leicester NL 19 57 51 13 64 4.49 - 1961 Leicester NL 11 39 40 8 48 4.92

That Bloody stand gave me a headache year in year out and will continue to do so for whoever now deals with the LCC!