norbold

Jimmy Gooch was my first favourite rider because in the first match I ever saw he was the only New Cross rider to beat Norwich's Aub Lawson, who scored paid 17 from 6 rides. He performed better that night than Split Waterman or Eric Williams. Do you mean Jack Milne, spartan? Cordy Milne never rode for New Cross.

The local newspaper cutting I have reporting Max Pearce's death does not mention he was the son of Frank Pearce. That's not to say he wasn't, of course. It just says he came from Melbourne. p.s. Incidentally, with reference to what this thread is all about, Stenner's Annual reporting his death says, "Pearce [was] the last man of the 50 rider Australian invasion to arrive..." The Stenner's report also does not mention Frank Pearce. Bill Harris is mentioned in the 1949 Who's Who. It says, as speedyguy says, that he arrived in England in 1947 to ride for Tamworth. He also rode for them in 1948. He stayed at Tamworth in 1949, moving on to Hanley (Stoke) in 1950 and 1951.

The interesting thing about Steve Langton is that in the report of his first meeting at Eastbourne his style of riding is remarked upon as he was using a foot-forward style unlike everyone else who, were, of course, leg trailing.

According to Bryan Tungate on the Vintage Forum: The track was "round a cricket pitch...Thrum Hall, Halifax. After the War Halifax was round a football pitch so they did it both ways."

Well now, let me see...At a complete guess I'd say it's Halifax and the riders are Geo. Reynard, G. Wilson, Riskit Riley and B. Harrison. Thank you Bryan and Jim on the Vintage Speedway Forum. It's a Forum well worth taking a look at. Just click here

Having just written books on Wembley and Eastbourne both with year by year statistics I have all the riders averages for pre-War Wembley and Eastbourne 1938 - 2004, if you are interested.

I've just had a message from a friend of mine - and Norwich expert - Bryan Tungate to say: REG HAY, from Tasmania, who rode for Norwich and Newcastle MICK SIMMONS (Melbourne?) who had a season at Norwich in the 50s

It's just that I'm full of pre-War Wembley statistics and 1950s Eastbourne stats at the moment!

Ever or British League?

Frank Pearce was certainly here in the early days, in 1928 in fact. I'm not sure how many years he was here. Owen Gyles broke a bone in his neck after falling and being hit by another rider on 27 March 1948 at Bradford. The accident wasn't fatal.

Great site, Steve. Excellent. Well done. I notice you don't have the full date for Frank Charles' death. It was 15 July 1939.

Max Pearce died in Yarmouth Hospital on the morning of 14 July 1948 following injuries suffered in an accident at Yarmouth the night before. He was lying fourth after a bad start and was trying to make up ground on the straight. His bike wobbled, struck the fence and dragged him across the track. He came from Melbourne and had only arrived in England a few weeks before. He originally signed for Norwich but was soon transferred to Yarmouth. He was the second Yarmouth rider that year to lose his life in a riding accident; the first being Reg Craven. Pearce's accident happened on 13 July in Yarmouth's 13 meeting of the season. p.s. Frank Pearce didn't ride for Harringay in 1939. I don't know if he rode for anyone else, but I can't find any record of him racing in 1939 in England.

Bob Sharp

Bob Sharp

As always Shazzy, your wish is my command: 1979: Dave Perks Mike Sampson Kevin Hawkins Glenn McDonald Les Sawyer Nigel Wasley Craig Featherby John Homer Mark Williams There were also a few who only rode in one or two matches: Tony Garad, Paul Share, Neil Collins, Terry Freeman, Roger Lambert. 1980: Mike Sampson Ivan Blacka Glenn McDonald Craig Featherby Mark Collins Arthur Price Steve Sant Mark Williams Peter Bacon John Homer Steve Mildoon (Paul Bosley rode for them once)

No, he didn't ride for Nottingham.

Mike Sampson rode for Nottingham in both 1979 and 1980. In 1980 he topped their averages with a cma of 9.88.

Bob Kilby is English Bob Sharp is an Australian. He rode for Ipswich in the old National League. Dick Wise was an Australian. He rode for - and managed - Norwich. I don't think Triss Sharp was an Australian, though I am not 100% sure. He was Crystal Palace captain in 1929 and continued to ride for them until 1933. He owned a motor business in South London. Sig Schlam rode in Britain, but I'm not sure if he was attached to any league teams.

Junior Bainbridge is Ron Bainbridge We've also discussed Cliff Watson's nationality at some length! Terry Betts and Ray Wilson are English unless they are a different Terry Betts and Ray Wilson

It was called Malmo Stadium. It held 31,000 spectators. It was opened in 1958 and the opening event there was a World Cup match on 8 June 1958. It was administered by the Malmo Athletic Council. The architects were Fritz Jaenecke and Sten Samuelsson. Attached to the stadium were 7 football pitches. The total area of the complex was 50 acres. Does that help?

P.s. The 1964 Ullevi World Final Programme also has double s.

The 1961 Malmo World Final programme has it spelt with double s.

This is true, Steve. Even authoritative books such as Speedway in London spell it Knutsson with double "s". However, I understand that the correct spelling of his name is with one "s" but when he came to England the programmes and magazines spelt it with two and he couldn't be bothered to correct it so he just let it go. ooops - overlapped with you there, Jim!

Hmmmm.....

And his name is Knutson.