iris123

Didn’t find anything specific. Interesting. The figure for 01.08 was even higher than in that article though and possibly still on the rise then

Seems the new cases of Covid hit a new daily record (Poland) yesterday. What with all the problems around Europe, well mainly in the UK, but not only, we could end up with new stricter regs coming in

Thanks norbold. New to me.Didn’t know there were modern issues. I imagined they were all fairly old and one came with each packet of cigarettes

Seen Tommy was featured in a set of cigarette cards that I didn't know about. Stars of Scottish speedway. Guess this was a historical collection, but does anyone know when it came out and all of the 25(?) riders included. See that Ken McKinlay was in as was George Hunter. And as his mentions he began riding in 1958 it was issued after Miller had retired

Just seen the match has been awarded 40-0 and 4 riders had the right licence. Total chaos from a club that went to the Polish league because of the trouble they claimed to have in the Bundesliga. But I guess we have to wait for the official statement... which could be good, knowing previous statements from Wittstock. Seems from reading the german forum the other 3 only had a licence to ride in individual meetings, rather than league........but the situation probably saved Poznan from having to call the meeting off anyway due to the track conditions.

Think some people are confusing things that are necessary like shopping, with things that are encouraged, like recreation and things that don't come into either of those are at deemed bottom of the list, even if we like them like entertainment

Is more known about him ? Was he involved in UK speedway or maybe lived in Australia ?

Managed to track down the H. Tovey who I mentioned was manager of the team in Australia in 1950-51. Also was the manager on the next tour according to the photo here. But who was he ? http://justsolos.homestead.com/molly5.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53602362

Well I think we all had hoped this would have died down by now. As I said elsewhere I was really looking forward to this season with Vojens back in the Superliga and Wittstock in Poland etc

It looks like we are almost back to the beginning again......I know the German government said months back that people shouldn't travel because they weren't going to bring them all back like they had to in the Spring. Now we have the UK/Spain situation https://www.bbc.com/news/53595962

And what happens if government regulations change and put a stop to people from certain countries entering again. Or allow them to enter, but have to go into self isolation ? Is there a plan b ?

Great to see Robert take a major title- well of course a lot have made fun of the competition in the past. Also good to see that all the hard work has paid off, despite getting a lot of criticism going to Germany at such a young age. I do remember having to defend him somewhat because it wasn't the british way of doing things. And although it isn't for everyone, if you are determined, getting on a 500cc at an early age can pay off. Good on ya

Great stuff, although I thought both Rech and Levai were naturalised. And tbh I thought Sandor rode in the National League rather than lower down. Thanks

Mixing a bit of the original theme and where it had headed. Miller was replaced in the Coventry team by P.O.Söderman. Was he the first foreign rider in the lower league ? How and when were they allowed to ride, and when were they banned, as it was the 80s and Rye House that forced the door open again. So I guess maybe they weren't banned, it was just a promoters agreement ?

Unbelievable. How could he !!!!

The thing is with Millwall, with Arsenal, Dulwich or even speedway and caravanning, is the likely worry of being in a mainly white crowd for some. It would be the same for a white person going to a mainly black or Asian event. There was though a small crowd of black fans at the Den. Ian Wright was/is a Millwall fan. Not sure if he went at all before his career, but I do remember seeing him with the Lions fans at Wembley v Wigan. There was/is also British heavyweight champion Julius Francis He also admits to being one of Millwall's rare black hooligans - 'At first they thought I was an undercover policeman.' He has a real sense of humour

I doubt you are going to get the desired diversity on the track until you get the sort of diversity you are seeking on the terraces. Not sure why, but black and Asian people don't seem attracted to speedway meetings on the whole. But, back in the 70s when I was going with some local friends, one was an Asian kid. Plus I know one of my extended family who is an indian woman also attends at least Cardiff, now that Wimbledon is shut. Interesting that in the US at least black bikers are on the rise in numbers.

Found a piece about his tour to Australia in 1950-51 Apparently after the first test where Tommy wore the no.13 race jacket and only scored 5 pts, he refused to wear it again. Team manager H. Tovey retired the no.13 and so Tommy wore no.16 in the 2nd test and duly scored 2 pts !!! Sadly this was the meeting Ken le Breton tragically crashed and later died. Wasn't a particularly good series for England losing all 7 tests, though Tommy did have a few decent meetings and also finished equal 2nd with Aub Lawson in the Australian 4 lap championship, which Jack Parker won. Tommy also had the fastest heat win of the meeting in Sydney where in the first 15 heats the track records was broken in 12 heats and equalled in 3 others !!! Tommy was also involved in an accident when driving a lorry taking the bikes to the Bathurst test. Seems the wheels locked and he crashed into another vehicle. Some of the bikes were damaged and Tommy's wife, who was also with him had to receive treatment when they arrived at the track. Eddie Riggs, Eric Williams and Tommy were unhurt. A big problem it seems was that whilst the other 3 riders managed to get replacement bikes, Tommy's was special because of his small size with a low saddle and high foot rest and he couldn't find a suitable replacement.

Thanks for that. I was going to try and research that. You have saved me the work and probably done a better job that me anyway

It was an amazing feat. I wonder if there was ever such a rise and fall in the speedway world in such a short time. Very sad and his early death just adds to it all

Wittstock Wolves v Team Czecho 25.07.2020

Thanks. I had seen the Blantyre project piece, but not the other Seems he smashed the Motherwell track record by 3 seconds !!! Took the Wembley 3 lap track record and the Lions management got in touch with Ian Hoskins in the hope of signing him. But Hoskins said the Glasgow fans would kill him if he let Tommy go

Tommy Miller !!! What a sensation ......not a thread on here about the wonder kid of Scottish speedway, so I hope someone or more can help maybe with first hand knowledge of just how good he was ? The averages for his Coventry years are on speedway researcher, but by then sadly he was on the decline 1954 9.22 for all meetings and 2nd in the team averages, although in just league meetings he was top 1955 8.10 and 3rd 1956 7.10 and 4th Quite a dramatic decline, but I think he was also involved in a short attempt to bring speedway back to his first love of Glasgow, which might have been a distraction. If though I am reading Ian Hoskins (who describes Tommy as the best rider he was involved in alongside Bluey Wilkinson, which is quite some comparison) right he states Tommy had an average of 10.56 from the 4 years at Glasgow (1950-53) then he went to Motherwell for a short spell and then the Bees. Did his career then end in 1956, as he isn't at Coventry after that ?

No chance. I have made that mistake already and taken her to a meeting. I doubt I would get that chance again, and certainly not on her birthday