tigerowl

Looking brighter at 4:30 than the last update - sky half blue and half grey. Still showers forecast for later.

Well, another youngster then instead of rider replacement. That was my point. Weather check - overcast at the moment in Sheffield. We have had no rain all day although there are some showers forecast for later. Don't hang about in Nottingham too long - Sheffield is a much nicer place.

I think it will be a real shame if the Scrowlers use r/r for Steve Worrall. The league should be about bringing on young riders and, whilst Scunthorpe have done more than most, the sport would be better served with a youngster at number 7 (and not an ageing team manager with all due respect). The are likely to massacre the Islanders as they are and should beat Belle Vue pretty easily as well.

I'm a bit closer but it is hard going. The 1940s and 1950s took about ten years altogether but this one wont take anywhere near that time. I've just taken over the Speedway Researcher web site as well which has slowed be down a bit. I've done about 150 pages of the third disc and am doing a bit more every day.

I'm sure he was a good looking chap but he wasn't really my type. However, he was born in Salford on July 12, 1947.

The Speedway Researcher is currently being reorganised and brought up to date. I have taken over the site and will be rebuilding it over the next few weeks. Please keep using the site and if anyone would want to contribute to the magazine, it helps to fund the site and keep it running. Thanks Matt

I was thinking earlier about the top two in the GP and how much they are putting the younger end of the field to shame. It got me pondering on who would be around in the GP in five years time and who of the current crop of youngsters will force their way in. Of the current line-up I think that Hancock, Gollob, Crump, Holta and Pedersen will be too old and will have gone, whilst I can't see a long term future in the competition for Jonsson, Harris or Lindback. Kolodziej and Laguta, I am not sure about. I can still see Holder, Bjerre, Sayfutdinov, Hampel and Lindgren in the GP in five years and that would leave room for ten new faces. Darcy Ward seems a nailed on certainty as does Pawlicki. I can see Lasse Bjerre joining Kenneth in 2016 and possibly a couple more of the young Danes like Michael and/or Mikkel Jensen. Tai seems the best British hope and the Poles will no doubt continue their production line. My 2016 line up would look something like this - Chris Holder Emil Sayfutdinov Jarek Hampel Freddie Lindgren Kenneth Bjerre Artem Laguta Darcy Ward Przemyslaw Pawlicki Lasse Bjerre Tai Woffinden Michael Jepsen Jensen Maciej Janowski Tomas Jonasson Kenni Larsen Linus Sundstom Anyone else suggest a line-up?

Alan Michael Kite born 21 January 1947, Maidstone, Kent

Barnsley - Arthur Moore, Charlie Ward, Tommy Thompson, Billy Halstead, Tom Lindley, Joe Chance, Geoff Kilburn, Tommy Allott, Bill O'Neill, Jim Quarmby, Charlie Kirby, W. Hodnett Belle Vue - Arthur Franklyn, Frank Varey, Eric Langton, Bob Harrison, Percy Dunn, Dusty Haigh, Oliver Langton, Bruce McCullum, Clem Cort, Acorn Dobson, Reg Pointer, Dick Fletcher, Len Woods, Ernie Evans, Len Blunt, George Corney, Frank Burgess, Smoke Robinson, Ernest Young, Sid Hicks, Sid Hipworth, Lionel Davey, Ray Higson, A.E. Simons, Cracker Simpson, Ivor Creek, Len Myerscough, Chun Moore, Norman Hartley Edinburgh - Len Stewart, George MacKenzie, Drew McQueen, Sid Parsons, Gordon Spalding, Bob McGregor, Bill Barclay, Bob Dawson Glasgow - Billy Galloway, Andy Nicholl, Col Stewart, Arthur Mann, Bill Llewellyn, Jack White, Arthur Moser, Bill Naismith, Norrie Isbister, Sam Aitkinhead, Alfie Williams, Hugh Adamson Leicester Super - Bert Spencer, Fred Wilkinson, Hal Herbert, Arthur Sherlock, Harold Stevens, Freddy Hore, Nev Wheeler, George Marsh, Mark Sheldon, Alec Bowerman, Billy Hadfield, Bill Russell, Jack Martin, Bill Styring, Ken Hamilton Liverpool - Ginger Lees, Les Wooton, Tommy Price (not the World Champion), Larry Boulton, Eric Blain, Tony Golding, Frank Chiswell, Skid Plevin, Chris Hughes, Eddie Myerscough Manchester White City - Frank Charles, Max Grosskreutz, Wally Hull, Cliff Watson, Arthur Jervis, Fred Strecker, Arthur Wilcock, Hubert Jervis, Cyril Wilcock, Stewie St. George, Sid Newiss, Fred Davenport, A.J. Ward, Eric Worswick, Ivor Creek, Norman Hartley Newcastle - Tommy Storey, Tiger Sanderson, Tommy Harrison, Harry Huntley, Arnie Cattell, Buzz Hibberd, Alec Hill, Gordon Byers, Frank Parker Preston - Ham Burrill, Joe Abbott, George Reynard, Jack Chiswell, Frank Smith, Jack Tye, Claude Rye, Tommy Price (not the World Champion), Ivor Creek, Chris Tattersall, Fred Williams, Jim Carnie Rochdale - Austin Humphries, Jack Atkinson, Scott Michie, Geoff Wilson, Buster Breaks, Skid Nock, Bill Sticpewich, Tom Proctor, Ernie Ingham, Fred Ibbotson, Harry Robinson, Harold Leach Sheffield - Clem Beckett, Jack Chapman, Chun Moore, Norman Hartley, Broncho Dixon, Dick Wise, Jack Barber, Gus Platts, Arthur Moore, Laurie Packer Warrington - Norman Dawson, Charlie Hornby, George Milton, Tommy Hatch, Speed Formby, Harry Solomon, Oliver Langton, Alec McLachlan, Len Myerscough, Stan Collins Wombwell - Fred Ledger, Billy Burrows, Tommy Gamble, Geoff Kilburn, Jack Dudding, Rowland Crowe

Rob Mear may not be amongst the top British riders but he has shown some real bottle by riding in the Elite League and scoring well rather than swanning about in the Premier League year on year. It's about time ambition like this was rewarded and might encourage some of the lads who ought to be in the Elite League but are having 'one more year in the Premier' to make the step up. If England / Great Britain are ever going to compete again with Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Australia there needs to be more lads like Rob willing to take the plunge. Congratulations Rob, a well deserved selection.

Saturday 2 October 1971 Hackney, London 1. Malcolm Shakespeare (Long Eaton) 2 3 3 3 2 - 13 (2nd) 2. John Louis (Ipswich) 3 3 2 3 3 - 14 (1st) 3. Phil Crump (Crewe) 1 1 3 3 3 - 11 (5th) 4. Kevin Holden (Romford) 0 2 F 0 0 - 2 (15th) 5. Dave Baugh (Bradford) 2 0 1 1 1 - 5 (12th) 6. Bruce Forrester (Teesside) 1 0 0 1 1 - 3 (14th) 7. Ross Gilbertson (Canterbury) 3 R 1 1 0 - 5 (11th) 8. Doug Wyer (Berwick) 0 3 2 0 0 - 5 (10th) 9. Reg Wilson (Hull) R 2 F 2 2 - 6 (8th) 10. George Major (Birmingham) 2 1 2 2 1 - 8 (7th) 11. Hugh Saunders (Rayleigh) 3 3 2 2 2 - 12 (3rd) 12. Malcolm Ballard (Eastbourne) R 1 R N N - 1 (17th) 13. Russ Dent (Sunderland) 1 1 3 1 0 - 6 (9th) 14. Arthur Price (Boston) 3 2 X 2 3 - 10 (6th) 15. Peter Collins (Rochdale) X 2 3 3 3 - 11 (4th) 16. Malcolm Mackay (Workington) 2 F 1 0 1 - 4 (13th) 17. Richard Greer (Peterborough) 0 - 0 (18th) 18. Roger Mills (Long Eaton) 2 - 2 (16th)

I'm not sure if any of the above clubs actually had nicknames. The nickname idea seemed to come in a couple of years later with Wimbledon, Wembley, Belle Vue etc. leading the way. I've tried to get back on your web site and it asks me for a password. Any ideas?

1930 SOUTHERN LEAGUE TABLE Team Matches Won Drawn Lost For Against Points Wembley 24 20 1 3 768 496 41 Southampton 24 17 1 6 716 560 35 Stamford Bridge 24 16 1 7 728½ 551½ 33 Wimbledon 24 16 1 7 695 578 33 Hall Green 24 13 1 10 647 632 27 Coventry 24 13 1 10 629 634 27 Crystal Palace 24 11 1 12 667 613 23 Lea Bridge 24 10 1 13 602½ 672½ 21 West Ham 24 10 0 14 627 647 20 Leicester 24 8 1 15 586½ 689½ 17 High Beech 24 8 0 16 555 720 16 Harringay 24 7 0 17 572½ 707½ 14 Nottingham 24 2 1 21 489 782 5 Birm’ham (Expunged) 4 1 0 3 81 135 2

I can't guarantee 100% accuracy but... Birmingham - withdrew after 4 matches Wally Lloyd, Clem Mitchell, Arthur Johnson, Joe Dallison, Bill Ashcroft, Joe Hassall, Geoff Siddaway, Gordon Baxter Coventry Jack Parker, Tom Farndon, Norman Parker, Arthur Tims, John Deeley, Wilmot Evans, Bill Stanley, George Allbrook, Lew Lancaster, Cecil Walker, Stan Greatrex Crystal Palace Roger Frogley, Ron Johnson, Triss Sharp, Jack Barrett, Joe Francis, Bryan Donkin, Buster Buckland, Wally Lloyd, Clem Mitchell, Harry Shepherd, George Lovick, Arthur Willmott, Bert Gerrish, George MacKenzie, Jim Cowie, Jack Luke, Will Nicholas Hall Green Harry Taft, Jimmy Gent, Billy Dallison, Bunny Wilcox, Les Patrick, Cyril Taft, Reg Hutchings, Tommy McDonald, Cyril Locke, Stan Baines Harringay Vic Huxley, Colin Watson, Stan Spencer, Will Dennis, Howard Traynor, Alf Sawford, Jack Kidwell, Ron Thompson, Bill Clibbett, Percy Bryant, Wally Hicklin, Ivor Hill, Eric Spencer, George Preston High Beech Syd Edmonds, Phil Bishop, Fred Law, Jack Barnett, George Bishop, Stan Baines, Champ Upham, Jack Sharp, Charlie King, Rory O'Connor, George Lovell, Stan Taylor, Norman Humphrey Lea Bridge Harold Hastings, Reg Stanley, Jimmy Stevens, Howie Osment, Alf Foulds, Stiffy Aston, Ned Kelly, Charlie Spinks, Stew Fairbairn, Harry Mangham, Alec Peel, Alec Slow, Fred Hawken, George Heard, Charlie Jackson Leicester Syd Jackson, Squib Burton, Nobby Kendrick, Bill Pitcher, Bill Crouch, Cyclone Smith, Arthur Johnson, Jack Rowley, Slider Shuttleworth, George Clow, Tommy Deadman, Tom Taylor, Ned Woodoff, Al Wilkinson, Tim Reid Nottingham George Wigfield, Rocky Burnham, Wally Humphrey, Buster Brown, Spencer Stratton, Joe Gooding, Reg Lucas, Nobby Key, A.E. Lester, Billy Ellmore, Ian Ritchings, Bill Henstock, Les Otter, Fred Townsend Southampton Frank Goulden, Jimmy Hayes, Geoff Taylor, Vic Collins, Dave Kemp, Eric Lister, Ken Purser, Sprouts Elder, Arnie Hansen, Dick Sulway, Frank Bond, Clarrie Eldridge, Tommy Cullis, Ernie Rickman, Albert Wakerley, Winks Rice Stamford Bridge Frank Arthur, Gus Kuhn, Colin Ford, Arthur Warwick, Les Blakebrough, Nick Nichol, Wal Phillips, Bill White, Don Boswell, Fred Ralph, Bert Bolt, Ernie Mayne, Les Ralph, Len Stuart Wembley Arthur Atkinson, Jack Ormston, George Greenwood, Harry Whitfield, Stan Catlett, Wally Kilmister, Bert Fairweather, Buster Frogley, Colin Watson, Norman Evans, Charlie Shelton, Charlie Barrett, Cliff Parkinson, Jack Jackson, Art Warren, Terry White, Tom Pidock, Gus Mordue, Ron Hieatt, Tiger Sanderson West Ham Tiger Stevenson, Bluey Wilkinson, Don Taylor, Les Maguire, Arthur Westwood, Don Durant, Allen Kilfoyle, Tommy Croombs, Roy Dook, Bert Jones, Reg Bounds, Cecil Bounds, Wally Trumble, Will Maguire, Tommy York, Maurice Bradshaw, Ron Stokes, Reg Kavagnah, Con Cantwell, Stan Clark Wimbledon Jim Kempster, Mart Seiffert, Ray Tauser, Len Parker, Billy Lamont, Dick Case, Del Forster, Harold Crook, Dudley Cox, Les Dearth, Vic Deale, Nick Carter, Jack Kelly, Ivor Hill

He is potentially brilliant if he can avoid injury and keep his head together. He has so much raw talent it is unreal.

Stenner's was the bible of speedway in the immediate post war period. I think the Stenner's were brothers (Tom and Jim) and the books ran annually from 1946 to 1954. In 1948 there were also three smaller editions for summer, autumn and winter.

www.speedwayatoz.co.uk YATES, John Canning Born: January 28, 1925, London, England.* A war time paratrooper, John was the younger brother of Fred Yates and joined Fred at the Belle Vue Training School in 1947. He actually started that season in the ‘Aces’ team but made way after just three appearances to accommodate new signing Brian Wilson before moving on to have short spells with Wombwell and Birmingham. Like so many juniors from the Hyde Road track, John ended up at Coventry when the Third Division was introduced to Brandon in 1948 and he was to spend the majority of the rest of his career with the ‘Bees’. He made 136 official appearances for the club, although he never rose above a second string role, and also had two spells at St. Austell where he proved to be a popular and occasionally useful performer in Division Three.

The meeting in question was Sheffield v St. Austell in the Provincial League on July 18, 1963. Sheffield won 44-34 with Clive Featherby and Tommy Roper scoring 11, Ron Bagley 8, John Dews 5, Alan Jay 4, Ken Handscombe 3 and Tony Robinson 2. For St. Austell Chris Julian had 10, George Major 9, Ray Cresp 6, Glyn Chandler 5, Trevor Redmond 4, Ray Wickett 0 and the unfortunate Lew 0. Lew spent many weeks in hospital in Sheffield and tried again at Weymouth in 1964 but quickly retired again. Lew passed away in 1995 or thereabouts.

Hi Tom, He was born Christopher Blewett in Toronto on June 18 1929. He died in June 2002. Career Record - Plymouth 1961-62, Neath 1962, St. Austell 1963, Glasgow 1964, Exeter 1964-69 Matt

I spoke to Chris before he passed away and he told me that he was born in Toronto, Canada. I'm a bit sad I never saw him ride as he retired before I started going to the speedway but would have loved to have seen him in full flight around the Country Ground.

Glasgow (White City) v Plymouth National League Division Two - 30 August 1950 Glasgow 61 Junior Bainbridge 12, Tommy Miller 12, Gordon McGregor 9+2, Norman Lindsay 8+2, Jack Hodgson 7+1, Frank Hodgson 6+2, Joe Crowther 5+1, Peter Dykes 2+1 Plymouth 23 Pete Lansdale 7, Len Read 6, Peter Robinson 4, Alan Smith 3, George Wall 2, Johnny Bradford 1, Bill Thatcher 0, Wally Mawdsley 0

I'm working hard on the CD - it's coming together nicely but I don't want to rush it and be disappointed with it. I spoke to Neville Slee whilst doing the research for the current CD - a very nice chap. Born at Booleroo, South Australia, 14 November 1940

Gary Riddell, 20 February 1962, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear

It's no point arguing with some of the 'Elitists'. Let them watch their processional rubbish and we'll watch the proper racing.

Robin Archer - born Newcastle 28/8/63 Ian Gibson - born Halifax 25/7/62 Terry Mussett - born Carshalton 12/6/65 Andy Nightingale - born Ipswich 4/1/65 Chris Pailor - born Hartlepool 18/7/61 Jay Pleece - born Epsom 6/4/62 Billy Pinder - born Weymouth 2/6/65