norbold

Yes, correct. It's 1936. The picture was taken on the Norfolk Broads. The Wembley team went away for a week's get-together on a yacht hired by Alec Jackson. It was no holiday though as the team were put through a vigorous physical training programme by their trainer, Ted Husbands, who I think is the other person in the photograph.

Stenner's to the rescue again, iris... "Speedway will not flourish in Dublin, it seems, until a place can be gained in one of the British Leagues....That is the lesson from season 1952, which was most disappointing to Dublin enthusiasts at Shelbourne, the one track operating, closed down in August, re-opening only to stage the Irish Championship on Oct 5. "Somehow or another last year's programme never seemed to 'click', though it was felt at the outset that the Tigers team in which the promising Irish novices rode with Geoff Mardon, Ronnie Moore, Cyril Brine and the late Ernie Roccio, would prove very popular.... "Fixtures staged were essentially challenge affairs and the absence of competition racing made it difficult to maintain enthusiasm. Again the weak riding of some of the visitors did not help. "A blow too was early injury to Irish hope, Des Monson, which kept him off for the rest of the year. Of the other locals, Don Perry especially, 'Ginger' O'Beirne and Mick Savage improved considerably. "Irish title, won by Ronnie Moore for the third year running drew a huge gate to prove that there is still a big speedway public..."

That's all right, Ian. I won't mention your visit to Canada...

Too late for High Beech, but just to add to my growing round of radio appearances (if that's the right word!) I shall be on BBC Radio London at 8:00 p.m. on 20 February as well talking about my Wembley book. Well, at least speedway is doing well on the radio!

From Stenner's 1952 Annual: "It was a happier story at Shelbourne [happier than Chapelizod]. The club tried the daring experiment of bringing to Dublin a team of riders from California to form the Shelbourne 'Tigers' and the gamble came off. At Dublin those 'Tigers' assisted by Wimbledon American Ernie Roccio and side-kick Jimmy Gibb built up an imposing record, beating Wimbledon (twice), Belle Vue, West Ham, Harringay and Bristol. "The only club loss was to Coventry who were defeated in a subsequent return. England's 'C' team, a Scottish selection and Norway also went down at Shelbourne to the Americans, who, however, could not hold Bruce Abernethy's fiery New Zealanders. "Away the 'Tigers' failed, sometimes miserably, but even so attracted some of the biggest gates of the British Division II season. A trip to Scandinavia brought better results - three wins by 56-28, 43-40, 43-40 over various Swedish combinations and two defeats, by ten points at Malmo and two points at Oslo. "Beside Ernie Roccio the Americans had a stand out in Nick Nicolaides. Johnny Roccio and Royal Carroll improved so much in the autumn that I think a further season here would put them in the top class..."

Just to let you know I shall be on BBC Essex at 3:00 p.m. on February 17th talking about High Beech...oh yes, and my Wembley book!

Yes, you are right. It was briefly known as the Metropolitan League, but changed its name after about 3 or 4 weeks to the Southern Area League. Anyway, I have now mostly sorted out the 1950s statistics, but I am just left with a few matches I need to know the scorers in. So, if anyone can help... 25 July 1954 Brafield 50 Eastbourne 33. 15 August 1954 Eastbourne 41 Ringwood 37 15 May 1955 Eastbourne 33 Rye House 54 28 August 1955 Rye House 23 Eastbourne 61 4 September 1955 Eastbourne 49 Brafield 33 18 September 1955 Eastbourne 36 Brafield 48 6 August 1957 Rye House 66 Eastbourne 17 If anyone has the Eastbourne riders scores for those matches including number of rides and bonus points, I would be eternally grateful. Thank you....

I'm glad now that I gave it a miss last year as well. It wouldn't have been the same without you two there. Looking forward to meeting up again.

I'll be there!

Walthamstow operated in 1934 and then from 1949 - 1951. The stadium is still open for greyhound racing. P.S. The best I can do for a photo is the modern one on this page: Here P.P.S. I have a number of photographs of the riders who rode for Walthamstow 1949-51 or you could look at a good book called Speedway in London, which contains a brief history of the track.

Thank you for the info, PP. I have just discovered that Eastbourne only rode three League matches in 1964, the one against Newpool was raced for double points, which is why the table shows Eastbourne as having raced four matches. Well, that's the averages for 1964 sorted out. Thank you.

Thanks speedyguy. I know who rode for them and the results of all the matches. I just don't know who scored what in which match! The Southern Area League ran from 1954 to 57 and again in 1959 and the Metropolitan League in 1964.

The full price is £14.99.....but there may be the odd discount available

Yes, Me!

Just to let you all know that the latest book off the norbold production line, Wembley The Pre-War Years, is being published today. It is being officially launched at High Beech on 19 February but will be available before then from bookshops (including on-line bookshops) or direct from Tempus before then.

Thanks for doing that, PP. The ladder's up already!

It seems a bit of a cheek asking you to check the 1964 Speedway Stars, PP, as I do have them all myself in the loft! I would appreciate it but only if it's no bother to you. And could you stop reminding me about New Cross...it's bringing tears to my eyes. My first meeting was on 11 May 1960, New Cross v. Norwich as it happens....

If you mean the Astorias' Annuals and the Five Star Annuals, yes there were, but only the 1957 Five Star Annual has Southern Area League averages, which is why I have the 1956 averages but still need the rest.

The last Stenner's Annual was in 1954.

Thanks PP. Yes, I would be grateful if you could.

Yes, thanks, I have Peter Morrish's book, but it just gives the scores. It doesn't even say how many matches they rode in it so you could work it out yourself! I've also got all the 1964 Speedway Stars. I guess it's a trip up to the loft for that one then!

Thanks sb You mean you can't remember the result of every race you ever saw???

I expect this is a bit of a long shot, but does anyone have the Eastbourne riders' averages from their Southern Area League and Metropolitan League days in the 50s and 60s? The only year I have is 1956, so I am missing 1954, 55, 57, 59 and 64. Thank you!

He must have sneaked an extra one in while no-one was looking!

He scored three full and one paid maximum in 1992. Now for the rest....