norbold

Absolutely right, sotonian. How could we forget dear old Phil, the man who is said to have broken every bone in his body.

I did have to leave out the Crystal Palace bit but Johnno's career at Crystal Palace does get referred to on more than one occasion. Sorry I'm not sure what the p&p to Germany is. I can find out for you if you're interested... Yes, of course, you're quite right about Squibby. I'd forgotten he had a few outings at Southampton in 1939, so that gives him five decades, the same as Johnson. I'm not sure when Geoff Pymar first rode. He certainly rode at Norwich in 1930 but whether he rode anywhere before that in the 20s I'm not sure. I'm sure Bryan will know. He continued until the 60s of course, so if he did ride in the 20s that would give him five decades as well. I'm fairly sure Wal Morton didn't ride in the 20s. I think he started somewhere round about 1932 or 3.

I haven't written his biography, but Tommy Price himself wrote in "Tommy Price's Speedway Mixture", published c. 1950, that his first speedway race was at Harringay in 1934 after he had been spotted riding grass track at Barnet by Frank Arthur.

If he rode from the 40s to the 70s that's four decades - one LESS than Johnson, so how does he hold the record?

I don't think Tommy Price was around in the 20s. He started about 1934/5. I think the longest decade spanner has to be Ron Johnson, who first rode in Australia in 1926 and had his last outing at New Cross in 1963, so that's five decades. From the time he arrived in England in 1928, practically the whole of that career was with the Crystal Palace/New Cross set up. (You can read all about it in a new book just out I believe. )

Yes, he rode in two matches and was swapped for Reg Trott (Wimbledon). Bit of a mistake by our Bob there!

Ken McKinlay, Reg Trott, Sverre Harrfeldt, Brian Leonard, Norman Hunter, Malcolm Simmons, Tony Clarke, Ted Ede Also Ray Wickett, Stan Stevens and of course, Dave Wills, who was tragically killed before he had a chance to make his mark.

So was that 1965, 66, 67 or 68?

Dave was West Ham's Press & Publicity officer in 1965, but he did stand in as manager on occasion. He was manager for the greatest match of all time on 14 August, when West Ham beat Wimbledon in the Knock Out Cup Quarter Final replay.

Don't be too sure. That's what us old 'uns used to think about Savalas Clouting. Where is he now?

He can't have been, otherwise someone would have mentioned it before.

£12.99 (Free p&p when ordered from the author!)

Just to let you all know that the long-awaited history of New Cross Speedway has now been published. I received my copy today and they should be generally available in the shops (or from the author!) as from next week.

Try Here

John Fitzpatrick rode for New Cross in 1961. Des Lukehurst rode for New Cross in 1963.

That's ok...as long as he charged double his normal fee for his appearance money.

Terry has done a lot of work but I think Elaine and Mac should be credited as well for all the work they have put in to it.

When I was at school there was a boy called Tony Swaby who said he played in a group (as bands were called then!) called the Monotones. In 1963 they had a minor hit with a cover version of "Wipe Out" by the Surfaris and their photograph appeared in the Record Mirror, but surprisingly Tony was not featured in the line-up. When we showed him the photograph he said that he hadn't been very well on the day they took the photo!

George Wilks started on the grass tracks and graduated to speedway at Barnet. In 1934, the famous Australian pioneer, Frank Arthur, now Harringay captain, visited Barnet and was so impressed by Wilks and two of his team mates, Tommy Price and Charlie Traynor, that he recommended them to Haringay promoter, Tom Bradbury-Pratt. Bradbury-Pratt put them in to a second half junior race at Harringay and Price shot away and led easily for three laps, but on the last lap he overslid and fell and Wilks came past to win. On the strength of this victory, Wilks was signed up for Harringay. In 1935 he moved to Hackney and in 1938 was transferred to Wembley for £350. In his first season with Wembley he averaged 6.91 points, just a fraction behind third heat leader, another youngster, Malcolm Craven. After the War he returned to Wembley to become one of a trio of strong heat leaders in the first post-war season, 1946, along with his old friend Tommy Price and Bill Kitchen. He continued as a heat leader with the unbeatable Lions, becoming top scorer in 1948 in a team that included Price, Split Waterman, Bill Gilbert and Freddie Williams. He spent part of the 1949 season on loan to West Ham in place of the injured Eric Chitty but could not recapture his Wembley form, although to be fair, he was returning himself after a serious leg injury sustained in 1948. He returned to the Lions in 1950 to once again become a heat leader with an average of 8.44. He started the 1950 season well, but his form dropped during the season and was overtaken by a new breed of Wembley youngsters, including Bob Oakley and Bruce Abernethy. He continued to ride for Wembley until 1952 as a good second string when he retired. Oh yes, and he rode in the Isle of Man TT in 1929. He is no longer with us.

I wasn't referring to your original question, Brian, I was referring to a slight but important (from Danny's point of view anyway!) error speedyguy made which he has now corrected.

I think you mean dear old Danny!

At last. Photographs from the first year anniversary celebrations: Click Here Nos 30-37 (the last 8).

This week's Speedway Star carries a discount voucher for Paradise Wildlife Park. £8 per person for up to 6 people. (Normal entry price is £13 per person).

No, as it happens, it wasn't. It was a buffet inside a marquee. But it was wonderful. Peter really laid on a spread! There were a number of celebs there, including Freddie Williams, Len Silver, Vic White, Vic Gooden, Trevor Hedge, Colin Pratt, Bert Harkins, Terry Stone, Les Beaumont, Pete Saunders, Dingle Brown and Peter Sampson of course. I was hoping to have some photos on the web before now, but Mrs norbold took the photos with her new Canon 400 which takes Flash Cards. For some reason my computer absolutely refuses to download photos from a Flash Card. So I've been waiting for her to download them but she has so far not done so saying something about getting the garden straight being more important than a lot of old geezers at a speedway reunion. Women!

Yes, you're right about Lea Bridge/Clapton. They also rode in the Second Division as The Cubs in 1938. Walthamstow Wolves should read: 1934; 1949 - 1951. Also Harringay Canaries 1929 - 1931 Harringay Tigers 1934 - 1939 Harringay Racers 1947 - 1954