norbold

I'm not sure what you mean when you say the programme had his name but he wasn't down to ride. How do you know he was a rider?

I wasn't a Dons fan, but used to go regularly. From my time of going to Plough Lane my top 10 would be: 1. Ronnie Moore 2. Sverre Harrfeldt 3. Gote Nordin 4. Tommy Jansson 5. Olle Nygren 6. Ron How 7. Bob Andrews

In spite of the star names we had at West Ham like Sverre Harrfeldt, Olle Nygren, Ken McKinlay, Bjorn Knutsson, Norman Hunter, Christer Lofqvist and so on, my favourite rider was always Stan Stevens. He was never what you would call a star but he was a wholehearted trier who never gave up though there were occasions too when Stan really excelled himself and became a match winner. He had a great understanding with Ken McKinlay in the days when team riding meant something and quite often they would score a 5-1 against the odds. When I later met him in real life (as it were) I also realised what a modest man he was too. Before he rode for West Ham he was a top man in the Provincial League with Rayleigh and New Cross (amongst others) but when I spoke to him about this period of his career, he just said that there was a big gulf between the old National League and the Provincial League and so he didn't consider himself to be a top rider. For me, Stan's the man.

Yes, the names are right. The missing one is Denis Gray. See page 81 of Speedway in London. An excellent book. Ahem

Yes. It was Trev and Bernard Cottrell who revived the Lions in 1970 and became joint promoters.

Yes, and he also promoted at Shelbourne Park in Ireland. Got around a bit did Trev!

Yes, sadly Trevor is no longer with us. He was an excellent rider. Rode for Wembley and Bristol amongst others as well as the teams you mention. He was the first Provincial League Riders' champion in 1960. I saw his attempt to retain the title at Harringay in 1961. With one ride each, both Trevor and Reg Reeves were unbeaten on 12 points. In a race I shall never forget, Trevor shot off in to the lead and led by "miles". Then, on the 4th bend of the 4th lap, his chain came off, leaving Reg Reeves a very lucky winner of the championship. As a New Zealander himself, he was partly responsible for introducing Ronnie Moore and Barry Briggs to this country and to Wimbledon as well as another kiwi, Geoff Mardon, who once finsihed third in the World Championship. Trevor also organised tours of South Africa and helped popularise the sport there. A great character and a great rider.

Ever wish you'd never started something, VV?

Norman Parker was the sort of rider parents ought to name their children after...

Don't forget Vic Huxley as well. Or was he just before your time?

Sorry to hear you've fallen out with Scott, sandman.

Could have been the greatest...Photo here

Nice pictures Jim. Scott was a good rider and crowd pleaser. I think sandman might still be in touch with him.

Yes, Stefan Kwoczala rode for Leicester in 1960. He was their second top scorer behind Ken McKinlay, scoring 228+20 in 26 matches. I'm sure Gem can give you more details. He was replaced in 1961 by one of the best Poles of all, Pawel Waloszek.

Yeh definitely you know

I always liked Peter Arnold and Ted Sear, but I have to say Terry Ripo as he is a friend of mine!

You poor old soul. I'm dreading reaching your age...

That's what we like to hear

It will be available from any good bookshop (as they say) or from the publishers (Tempus) or from the authors. Its release date depends on when we get it finished! Hopefully not too long now and then add another 5 or 6 months on.

Don't be so cheeky! I did see the win though. It was a magnificent meeting - a classic in fact. Although it is nearly 40 years ago I can still remember it clearly, much more clearly in fact than meetings I saw last year...mind you that can be the dementia setting in...

One win; one loss!

I remember seeing the TV Best Pairs meetings on...er..TV. Ray and his partner, Pete Jarman, were top qualifiers from the second week; Ivor Brown and Tony Eadon from the first week. Ray and PLJ lost in the semi-final to Derek Timms and Ivor Davies. Brown and Eadon won the final, but only because the scoring was changed to 4-2-1. On a 4-3-2 system, Timms and Davies would have won. You are not quite right about the scores in the first round which was done on a normal 3-2-1 basis; Brown scored 20 points, coming last in his first race (e/f) and second to Harry Bastable in his third; Eadon scored 6 as he had three second places. In both the semi-final and final, Brown won and Eadon came last.

Keep your anorak on until you finish the book!

Coincidentally, while doing a bit of research for my Classic Meetings book, I have just come across the following from 17 June 1961 Speedway Star & News: "Ray Harris is the Pride of the Potters "A tubby little character with a heart as big as a lion's. An unquenchable sense of humour, a ready smile and word for all and sundry, loyalty to Stoke and a shrewd mind under his cheerful exterior that makes him the best skipper in the Provincial League. That is Raymond Harris, a 38-year-old garage proprietor from Hereford, the man who has played a big part in moulding the Stoke team into potential league champions.... "Ray has raced for Stoke in every one of their post war seasons. A unique record, only bettered by Cyril Brine of Wimbledon. During the years of Stoke's closure, Ray spent a couple of seasons with Swindon. 'But it was never quite the same as being with the Sun Street Stadium crowd,' he readily admits... "At Stoke Ray takes a keen interest in helping the younger brigade. It was Pete Jarman who said: 'When I go to an away track, usually I am all over the place in my first ride. Back in the pits Ray is waiting. He tells me how he rode the track, and points out where I was going wrong... "With a man like Ray Harris as skipper the team do not lack for inspiration." It's a nice way to remember such a loyal servant to our sport. Rest in Peace, Ray.

I wondered what happened to him in 1988. Was he just relaxing and taking it easy then?