salty

Just wishing to pick the brains of the BSP gang. Last week in the Star's feature on "Greatest Gaffers" Peter made reference to a rule whereby in 1982 BL teams could name four reserves and use any two of them in a meeting. I don't have any recollection of that rule myself, though I can remember Cradley declaring their numbers 8,9 and 10. Anybody got a better memory?

Sad to hear this, but what a life! RIP Olle.

Cradley v Newport September 1968. Heathens - Graham Coombes, Chris Julian have passed away. Bob Andrews, Roy Trigg, Ken Wakefield, Alan Totney and Archie Wilkinson still with us afaik Wasps - Jimmy Gooch (rider replacement that evening), Cyril Francis, Bob Hughes and Alby Golden have passed Norman Strachan, Jon Erskine and Tommy Sweetman (guest) still around.

King's Lynn v Leicester 1980. Two excellent rides from Colin... 1980 Kings Lynn v Leicester BL, Heat 8. - YouTube 1980 Kings Lynn v Leicester BL, Heat 2 - YouTube Make that 3 1980 Kings Lynn v Leicester BL, Heat 6 - YouTube

With Clark Osborne involved the only thing that would surprise me is if they end up with the promised new stadium.

Sad to hear. Thoughts with all family and friends.

Halsgrove Publishing: Saving Speedway, General List, 9780857043481

I think its getting posted out this week.

"Scotsman's Bonk"

A super rider and, by all accounts, a smashing fella. RIP.

I might be wrong, but when the short lived London Lions rode at the short lived London Stadium I think the pits were in front of the main grandstand. Certainly can remember away riders being situated there.

Sad he's leaving the sport, but glad he's fit and healthy. Loved watching him celebrate the title this year and have really enjoyed his riding over the years.

Saw him riding for Cradley at the start of 1981. It was sad to see him struggling so much, Peter Adams ran out of patience and replaced him with John McNeill. Prefer to remember the quality rider he was in his pomp round Owlerton.

Brafield still operating....http://www.spedeworth.co.uk/venue.php?name=northampton Sorry to hear of Pete's passing. RIP

Superb footage. Thanks for posting.

Funnily enough I watched some footage of the 1982 Overseas Final the other day and was struck by how many helmet colours were off within a lap or two. One of the things that have improved over the years.

I remember when K's were located at Richmond Road before they moved to Kingsmeadow, which incidentally used to be Norbiton Sports ground. Ironically I used to play there and we lost it as our pitch when the K's took over the site. Dont know the full details but it does appear they have been shafted. As for Plough Lane I'm glad the football team are back home, just a shame it's took so long and it has been at the expense of the dog track. Plenty of villains in this story not least RCP who have presided over so many stadium sales as owners of the GRA.

Sportspages closed its doors in London about 15 years ago. The one in Manchester, I believe closed following the Arndale bomb. Pretty sure the shop owner John Gaustad passed away a couple of years ago. I spent many an hour browsing away in the shop in London. Edit. Just checked my copy of "Speedway in London", which was purchased from Sportspages, and indeed it is autographed by Mark Loram.

Think it was at Kings Lynn? Just checked - the Dow Diamond Trophy at the start if 1975 ended with 5 riders tied on 12 points. 4 man run off with Jim McMillan eliminated on fastest times. Except they made a mistake on the times (which was only realised after the run-off) and John Louis, who won the run-off, should have been the one placed 5th. Matters righted by a wee bit extra in Jimmy Mac's pay packet.

They can't all have got maximums? Just checked - Airey got beat by Alby Golden in heat 2. when Cradley won 64-14 it was none other than Gundersen who missed out. Airey and Gundersen - what's the odds?

My first Speedway hero. 1969 was my first full season and Bernie quickly became the darling of Dudley Wood following his arrival from Coatbridge. His Cradley career sadly petered out in a plethora of missed meetings, but in the early 70's our Bernie was, for us, the greatest. So close to winning at Wembley in 1972. RIP

Can't begrudge BZ that win. Fantastic ride to win the final. Hope he goes on to win in Torun.

The packaging is definitely the issue I reckon. I subscribe to a monthly Music Mag that has been consistently late by up to 2 weeks in recent months. Changed from clear packaging to paper this month and arrived on time.

Looking forward to reading Triggy's account of that night at Cradley. I was there as a wide eyed 7 year old, but standing on the second bend was obviously unaware of the gun incident. For the onlooking crowd the abiding memory of the night was Mike Gardner whacking Middleton on the head with his crash helmet following an incident near the end of the meeting, after which the nearest anyone in the crowd got to seeing Middleton was a blanket in the back of a car as it inched out of the stadium.

Previously every point counted towards the title. According to Bellamy to ensure the riders keep riding throughout the meeting they change it so now they don't. I work with kids with Severe Learning difficulties and even they would see flaws in that logic.