norbold

You said it!

By the way, don't forget my Webshots Hackney page: Here

Bob Andrews was a second string with Wimbledon in 1960 when he qualified as a reserve in a team that included Ronie Moore, Ron How and Cyril Maidment. In 1961 and 1962 he came fifth in the World Final - so I think he probably did deserve his place in the final.

Yes, in 1956 when an Eastbourne rider.

I'm sorry star ghost, but I would agree with Brian. Arne Pander certainly, but Sandor Levai, hmm.....

Cyril Roger was born in 1922, so he would be 85 or 86 now.

I remember Leo well at New Cross, 1960 and 1961. He was probably the best of the second strings, just ahead of Jimmy Gooch. Leo had been a major force in the old Southern Area League. Leo lives in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

Are you talking about riders riding since 1936?...because obviously the best rider never to reach a World Final was Tom Farndon with Frank Arthur a close runner-up.

Perhaps your brain cells are suffering from all those red lights you keep seeing...and ignoring!

I've just added New Cross and Crystal Palace to your site along with some Wembley riders.

I think you've both missed the point! These are teams that are NOT currently listed on Baille's web site - so presumably Canterbury and Crayford are. Just looked at the site - Canterbury is listed; Crayford isn't.

Doesn't Mr Kemp have the programmes?

His address is still given as Great Missenden in the WSRA handbook.

Keep going star ghost. You haven't got to it yet! Enter the site by clicking anywhere on Tom Farndon and then go to the bottom of the first page.

The New Cross signature tune can be heard on Jim's excellent New Cross tribute site: Here Just follow the links and it's just like race night at the Frying Pan....dear me, excuse me while I go and have little cry...

Yes, he rode for Wembley from 1929 - 1932.

What about Norwich, star ghost?!?

When you ask for all-time greats for each team, are you talking about how good they were when they were actually riding for the team? For example, Ivan Mauger rode for Rye House in the 50s but was so poor he was dropped! But, of course, he is an all-time great.

And his mate, Geoff Pymar, probably. I'll have to try and work those two out!

Thanks for the extra info, star ghost. Very interesting and helpful.

Thanks for the info, speedyguy. A quick amendment to the book...

Not as far as I know, but his debut match for New Cross was at West Ham. See below for extract from a forthcoming book...: "One addition to the team came in the form of Cyril Roger’s brother, Bert, who was said to be at least as good a prospect as his brother, if not better. Bert was originally a road racer and finished 11th in the 1947 Isle of Man Junior T.T. In 1948, when his brother began to make a name for himself in speedway, Bert asked Mockford if he could try out as well. Mockford immediately saw his potential and signed him up, loaning him out to third division, Exeter to gain more experience. Although only in his first year as a speedway rider he topped the Exeter points chart with an average of 9.74, and Mockford recalled him to the New Cross side for the 1949 season. "New Cross’s first league match of the season was against West Ham. Bert Roger astounded everyone by beating West Ham’s star rider, Aub Lawson, who was ranked number four in the world. This was Roger’s first-ever ride in Division One speedway. He also won his other race for a debut reserves’ maximum."

It's the site of a new indoor arena for the Olympics.

Having looked at this thread again to find out what was said about Cyril Roger before, I would like to combine it with the Memories of Waterden Road thread as on the programme for the first match of the 1963 revival, Bert Roger was programmed in to ride for New Cross. He didn't make it, nor did he ever ride again, but it seems he was almost tempted out of retirement 7 years after his last match for West Ham.

No, I don't know about Cliff Watson. I'll see if I can find out. P.S. I've found the thread about Cyril Roger: It's Here