norbold

Robert Baker Ron Cooper Andy Cowan John Howell Brenton Langlois John McNeill Peter Michelides Geoff Mudge Geoff Snider Peter Thompson John Wilkins

Aaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!!

Talking of getting killed, there was Dave Wills, Australian youngster who rode for West Ham Talking of West Ham, there was Ray Cresp.

Cliff Watson was a New Zealander. Born in Christchurch. However he had his first rides at Sydney and rode for Australia in Test matches...He was a bit like Ronnie Moore in reverse!

He was on Wolverhampton's retained list in 1974... It was just that he was unable to fulfill any fixtures. It happens sometimes.

Does this posting give you a clue, speedyguy?

Yes, I thought I'd gloss over 1974....

I think Steve Langton may have been the first Australian to use the foot forward method of riding. He was certainly an early exponent of it.

It's still Sticpewich!

The name is Sticpewich

Right, let's go back pre-War again. Sorry if any of these have already been mentioned... Max Grosskreutz Jack Sharp Jack Chapman Vic Duggan Ray Duggan Arnie Hansen Ron Johnson Tiger Hart (Both of the above were born in Great Britain but emigrated to Australia at a young age and were counted as Aussies) Bill Longley Charlie Spinks Bert Spencer Col Stewart more later....

His name was Sticpewich. He also rode for Wembley 1929-30 Some other Australians who rode for Wembley pre-War: Stan Catlett, Lionel Van Praag, Billy Lamont, Aub Lawson, Dicky Smythe, Dicky Case, Wally Little, Ken Kirkman, Jack Millward, Andy Menzies, Frank Woodroffe. But no A's, so I won't mention them yet...

Definitely an Aussie

Tony Clarke spent quite a few years in the sport. I remember his team debut for West Ham at Wimbledon in the Knock-Out Cup quarter final replay on 14 August 1965, now immortalised as chapter 10 in that fine book, Speedway's Classic Meetings. For the rest of that year whenever he rode in the West Ham team, the Hammers never lost. He became a sort of lucky mascot. He moved to Oxford in 1966, returned to West Ham in 1967 where he stayed until 1970. He then moved to Wembley in 1971, Newport in 1972, Wimbledon for the start of 1972 before going on to Wolverhampton later in the season, remaining there until 1975. I'm not sure what happened to him after that, or where he is now.

Well, let's start at the beginning then... Frank Arthur

Of course Bluey Wilkinson's name was Arthur so I suppose he counts....

Do you mean all Australians who have ever ridden in British leagues? This could be a long thread.....

Ole Olsen rode for Wolverhampton in 1975 and went to Coventry in 1976. I don't think the old rider allocation was scientifically worked out on averages. As barrow boy says, it was more a case of just taking a top rider away from the top team(s) and allocating them to teams at the bottom. A number of riders refused to go to the teams they were allocated to. Sometimes they got away with, other times they didn't. I suppose it depended on how strong a character you were.

Jimmy Tannock? Tell me more... p.s. That reminds me...Dick Campbell

Yes. He rode for Belle Vue

The first New Zealander to ride in Britain was Stewie St George in 1928, but I don't think he ever actually rode for a league team.

Still not sure about it then, eh, Grachan?

I'm here...if you meant me. But I have nothing to add to Knowle. I would say he is right about the values, but then I am an historian not a valuer. At the BM we weren't allowed to give values!

There is a photo of the 1959 tractor trio in "Two Wimbledon Legends" and a photo of the 1960 tractor trio in "Norwich Speedway" - two highly recommended books.....I think I still have the originals. I'll look them out. Do you want me to scan them and send them if I have them?