salty

Sore point after the Norwegian issue!! No hard feelings really though so I'll have another go. The 70's started with a load of Aussies in the British League yet by the mid -80's they were struggling to get a decent WTC quartet let alone a Test team. My favourite Aussie of the 70's was (of course as a Heathen) Johnny Boulger. Came to Dudley Wood in 1974 (the year the Swedes were banned) and in 3 seasons for Cradley proved a genuine Number 1, which if I recall was his motivation for moving from Leicester where he was in the shadow of Ray Wilson. I loved Johnny B - I can remember me and my mate spending over an hour on a car journey down to Poole singing "NaNaNa, NaNaNa, Wheyhey, Johnny Boulger" until my Dad threatened to turn back at Devizes! Crucially gave Cradley some respectability after a rotten 1973 season. Shout out here to Bob Valentine, who just had one season at Cradley before returning back to Aussie but had a super year. In the 80's as top flight Aussies got rarer I had a soft spot for Billy Sanders. I had a mate who was a Lynn fan and during Billy's year for the Stars we watched him at places like Reading and Hackney where I loved to see him blast off the fourth bend. Always had hopes that the likes of Steve Baker, Mark Fiora and Rod Hunter would break through to International class, but the latter two at least were big hitters in the National League. As a Plough Lane regular in the 80's I have to mention Todd "The Fastest Alive over the First 25" Wiltshire who oozed class and also Nathan Simpson who we saw develop so much as a Don. I always liked the Aussie riders in those days, which is why its sad when you read the negative comments on this Forum about so many of the current crew from Down Under.

Another excellent issue. Will definitely get the sister publication to read more about Jim Airey. However, was shocked to read in the article on Norwegians that my comments about Reidar Eide and Odd Fossengen were attributed to "Sidney the Robin" rather than myself. Can't say too much as the matter is in the hands of my legal team, but Sidney getting the credit!!!!!

Good 1. That first meeting at a dark, damp Dudley Wood at the end of the 1968 season. Hooked straight away. 2. Becoming a Dudley Wood regular from the start of the 1969 season. Getting a first hero in Bernie Persson 3. Bernie getting so close to winning the World Title in 1972. 4. Cradley winning their first league title at Eastbourne in 1981. Hitched down from London, but was able to get a lift back on the supporters coach. 5. Late 80's at Wimbledon. Having moved to London 10 years before I became a Plough Lane regular but really enjoyed the Russell Lanning seasons with the "Montine" Dons. Bad 1. The riders who lost their lives or suffered life changing injuries. 2. Dudley Wood closing - and the subsequent loss of the legal battle with the loathsome Barratts. 3. Wimbledon closing - even though I'm long gone from London, watching the decline of the stadium under the stewardship of Luke Johnson and his money grabbing venture capitalists has been very sad. 4. Erik's accident at Bradford. 5. Watching the slow decline of the sport in the UK.

Sad news. Was only reminiscing about him on the Norwegian riders thread the other day. RIP.

The problem with the averages is the inconsistency. Re-assess them all or none (as Najjer says). When some are done and others aren't then experience tells us that there are vested interests involved, with some teams benefiting at other teams expense. As ever, it is hard to see any logic behind the decision.

My Norwegian memories...... Reider Eide was always a good value visitor (and Guest) at Dudley Wood in the early 70's. At the time I didn't understand why he moved clubs so much during that era. We only heard the tales about his allegedly difficult attitude in later years, but a top British League heat leader. My overriding memory of Odd Fossengen is when I went to Wimborne Road in 1969 and the Pirates were closing in on the League title. The summer holiday crowd seemed massive and under the covered stands the atmosphere was different to the one I was used to at Dudley Wood. The one rider who the home fans seemed to go mad for was Odd and he quickly became my favourite Pirate. No question who my favourite Norwegian was though - Dag. Afaik, he had a tough baptism in British Speedway at Newcastle in a struggling side but was persevered with (nowadays he'd likely be replaced by the end of May) and then blossomed at Reading. I remember reading an article where he spoke of riding round his garden as a youngster on his trike and waving flowers at the imaginary crowd following his "victories". Something that definitely struck a chord! Whatever the reason Dag became one of my favourite riders other than the Heathens and he always seemed brilliant whenever he visited Cradley and I usually managed to nag my Dad to take us to Monmore if Dag was in town. Imagine my delight when his elder brother turned up in Heathens colours at the end of 1973, unfortunately for only a short lived stint.

Rune Holta is the top man in my supporting time (from 1968 onwards). His move to represent Poland internationally enables him to add a couple of World Team Cup medals to his CV not to mention a fourth in the world spot. As far as I recall his Polish citizenship was encouraged by his Polish club, but he also felt it allowed him to ride in the WTC and keep his profile high. Still riding at a high level as well. Had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times whilst in Prague for a GP and he was an absolute gentleman.

I left Ladbrokes before league Speedway was televised and in the late 90's there wouldn't have been a market for Speedway betting. However, I would have thought the reporting limits for Speedway bets would be very low. Any out of the norm betting would be quickly spotted. Surely the perfect opportunity for a fixed event would have been the end of season play off between Sheffield and Leicester?

Afaik Aces are allowed to votes on matters which pertain to the Prem only, but not allowed to vote on General Council matters.

Saw him ride for the Bees, RIP.

If one of my pupils had presented me with that, it would have received a C at best. Pirates and Poole the wrong way round.

As far as I'm aware Matt can't stop any asset (who he's not including in the 1-7) riding elsewhere. Can make it hard by asking daft loan fees or "insisting" on a full transfer, but essentially it would be seen as a restraint of trade?

Classic stuff from Brain dead Bob. Though it is surprising given that Matt has been chasing Vaculik since he was an embryo and the Slovakian himself has often said that he dreamt of riding for Poole whilst in the cradle.

August 19th edition of the Star "it seems inconceivable they (Hancock and Holder) wouldn't be selected, especially with both key players for main SGP sponsor Monster Energy"Certainly at least one other piece in the mag where it mentions the sponsorship as a likely factor in the nomination choices.

Second. He got one the year following his bad injury, which was fair enough. I would have been annoyed if he'd got a pick instead of Vaculik, but can't really get too mad about his selection. Having said that, I hate the thought of Monster's sponsorship playing a part.

Not keen on the choice of Holder - would have preferred Iversen - but at least the Monster sponsored rider didn't get in at the expense of Vaculik, as that would have been truly unfair.

Big Rune fan and its been great to see him still banging in the performances. However, a few years ago when he was one of the top 8 on a regular basis, he knew if he ever slipped out of the top 8 he was unlikely to get a pick as his dual national status counted against him. Was probably the reason why his late season performances were always so strong as he knew he needed to qualify by right, whereas other riders knew their nationality would help them get selected. A situation mirrored somewhat this year with the respective showings towards the end of the series of Zagar and Holder.

If true, a monstrous decision.

They might like a second Swede (or Dane) but nobody has made anything like a convincing case to be chosen imo. I will be very disappointed if Vaculik gets overlooked in favour of Holder, but I would expect a 4 of Greg, NKI, Vaculik and Holder.

Congrats to Doyle. Well deserved. Holder Snr riding like he either knows the game is up or he's been tipped he's got a nomination in the bag.

Afaik, selection of meeting reserves was strictly on performance in the Aussie Champs, Kurtz was way ahead of Holder and as you say was known to be riding over a week ago. Can't see how Holder can be banned because a sick note trumps everything, but you would like to think promoters would steer clear for next year. However, with his brother on a "bargain" average I wouldn't be surprised to see the pair of them as Pirates for next year.

Cynics would say the reason he was left alone was because a) he was given permission by Peterborough making things a wee bit murky legally and any action in the form of a ban would have affected Poole.

Wasn't the worst meeting, despite the conditions causing the track to be very slick. Always enjoy seeing Palm Toft ride and it was also good to see Georgie Wood do well. How anyone could choose to watch West Brom play anti-football over Speedway is beyond me. As for the whole promotion/relegation farce - can it not just be binned for once and for all, certainly whilst doubling up exists. Pretty sure when the concept was introduced the time before, Terry Russell said the sport needed p/r to give it "credibility". How ironic.

No problem with the BSPA finally dealing with this issue, as long as they do it across the board and consistently. As far as I'm aware the Management Committee have invoked this rule which opens the thorny problem of vested interests.....

As a Cradley fan of a certain vintage there is no doubt who my favourite Swede was. Our Bernie. His arrival at Dudley Wood coincided with my first full season following the Heathens and to my 7 year old eyes Bernie could do no wrong. His first 5 years cemented his position as my hero as he carried the Heathens flag against the other top riders of that era, for a team who were generally near the bottom of the table. Who can forget Wembley 1972 where he so nearly won the ultimate prize. Ok so he was lucky that Olsen fell when they met and we'll gloss over the coming together with Briggo, but he had two bites of the cherry against Ivan to win the thing. Ultimately, the Kiwi maestro outwitted him twice at he gates but I'll never forget the roar as Bernie nearly pulled level coming off the second bend on the last lap. Even so we basked in the glory of his silver medal and the fact he finished ahead of the dreaded Olsen from down the road. Bernie's Heathens career may have finished with a growing plethora of missed meetings but for those of us who saw him in the early '70's he always makes any all time Heathens 1-7's regardless of the World Champions who followed. Of the other Swedes in that era who rode elsewhere the one who made the most lasting impression was Christer Lofqvist. I can't have seen him ride too often but he was so exciting to watch. Of the later crowd I thought Jan Andersson was a class act. He always appeared so introverted which was kind of refreshing compared to the self confidence of the Carter's, Penhall's and their ilk. Not to mention his loyalty to Reading and the veritable points machine that he became. Lesser known Swedes: Lars Hultberg - Bernie's protege in 1973 who looked like he was going to settle and score good points when injury finished his season and ultimately his British career. Anders Eriksson at Wimbledon looked like he could develop to something good but failed to build on his initial promise and fell foul of the points requirement to get work permit. Eastbourne's trio of Swedes in 1982 - Hammarberg, Ring and Johansson none of whom could score the points to back up the strong top half of their team.