norbold

Yes. I'll be there flogging books as usual!

Er...this is supposed to be about which one club could field the strongest team. I don't think all those riders rode for one team.

Sorry, been doing my bit on BBC Radio Norfolk. So I can now say: Crusty Pye and Tyburn Gallows.... Not forgetting: Slider Shuttleworth, Maximilian Octavius Grosskreutz, Crasher Coxhead, Hurricane Hampson, and Crazy Hutchins of course

And that's without Max Grosskreutz, Bill Kitchen, Louis Lawson, Ron Johnston, Soren Sjosten, Chris Morton.......Stop!

Don't think Sprouts Elder ever rode FOR West Ham. He was their entry in the 1929 Star Riders' Championship but star riders weren't allowed to ride in the league. After that he went off to Southampton. Given recent literary developments, I guess I ought to have a go at an all time Norwich team... 1. Ove Fundin 2. Aub Lawson 3. Bob Leverenz 4. Bert Spencer 5. Billy Bales 6. Olle Nygren (he gets around a bit!) 7. Max Grosskreutz

There isn't one. It was very close for 4 and whatever it is miles and Oxford just won on the line. Sorry, just thought I'd mention it.

Actually I thought last year's boat race was very exciting.

Yes. Might consider Olle Nygren instead of Gerry Hussey, but otherwise... What about Belle Vue: 1. Ivan Mauger 2. Ove Fundin 3. Peter Craven 4. Jack Parker 5. Peter Collins 6. Eric Langton 7. Jason Crump Beat that!

I was thinking about a West Ham team which I was going to post on here. Amazingly, it is exactly the same team, CHK!

If all what you say is true SCB - and I have no reason to doubt it - it would seem to me to be very short-sighted on Sky's part. The more people that watch small highlights opn BBC the more people are going to get interested and want to watch the full matches on Sky.

I'd be surprised if a Tom Farndon memorial Meeting was held at Plough Lane, though I suppose it is possible during the years New Cross were not running in the 50s. I did think about both Sverre and Olle for my Wimbledon team, but I thought Sverre probably still had his best days ahead of him and Olle's were behind him. But I'm open to persuasion opn both.

Great stuff! I'm still watching, Grachan. Just sorry there's only 2 left.

Wimbledon all time? Vic Huxley Wilbur Lamoreaux Norman Parker Ronnie Moore Barry Briggs Ron How Tommy Jansson New Cross: Tom Farndon Ron Johnson Jack Milne George Newton Cyril Roger Barry Briggs Eric Williams

Cruising?

Ernie Roccio was killed at West Ham during a race. He had been filled in and discarded his eye shield. He was then struck in the eye by a piece of flying shale. Losing control, he careered towards the fence and struck it hard. This was in 1952. Don't know about the Polish side.

Yes, I was supporting Hurri-Ken that night as well, what with me being a West Ham supporter at the time and all. Most of my comments in the programme related to races Ken was in. Heat 5 says, "Well done Ken. He's in the lead." (He won Heat 5). Heat 12: "Ken is great" (another win). Heat 14 just says "Glucklich!". Ken came last in this heat. He also came last in his last heat. I made no comment this time!

I should point out, Sir Lunchy, that heat 4 was the only race I wrote "fantastic race" by the side. One out of twenty! Heats one and eight had the comment "won by miles". Perhaps, it's because we do remember the great races well and forget the rest.

The Polish bloke was Andrzej Pogorselski. I was at the 1969 final too. I've just looked up my programme to see who the Polish rider was. I notice I have written by the side of the race, "Fantastic race. Ken led for 3 laps".

I believe Wembley took over the Edinburgh licence and several of the riders - including the ones you mentioned - transferred. Although, you are quite right to say, Ian, that Ian Hoskins then had nothing to do with the Wembley promotion which was run by Bernard Cottrell and Trevor Redmond.

In the latest issue of the Vintage Speedway Magazine, Eric Linden has asked the same question. He says, "I'm wondering about Phil Bishop, Oliver Hart and Joe Abbott". I'll have to follow those up now!

Right......i've got about 15 years before I can attempt that record ...... if I try I'll invite you along Norman.... then perhaps you could immortalise me in a book. LOL..... It's a date. I'll be there. Just let me know when and where...

PLJ, the Lemon Drop Kid. I'll see what I can do for you.

The original question from dukes was: If we're talking about the oldest ever just to get on a bike and ride I don't think Geoff Pymar's 88 will be beaten. As for the shandy, Shazzy, what will Mrs Norbold say if she sees you trying to get me drunk!

Looks like you've come up with the winner in Alec Gilroy, Peter....

Right here goes with a few dates: Ron Johnson was born on 24 Feb 1907 and was therefore 53 when he rode for Edinburgh in 1960. Wal Morton was born in 1911 and was therefore 52 at the end of 1963, when he left Hackney. I didn't realise he rode for Sheffield in 1964, miro, are you sure about that (or anyone else)? If so that would make him 53, the same as Johnno. Jimmy Squibb was born in 1922. I'm not sure when he retired, but he would have been 53 in 1975. Pete Lansdale was born in 1912 and rode for Exeter in 1963, making him 51. Not sure if he rode later. Geoff Pymar was born in 1912 and retired in 1962. Age 50. Rob Hollingworth was born in 1955 and is therefore 49 this year. Jack Parker was born in 1908 and retired in 1954 at the age of 46. Ken McKinlay was born on 7 June 1928. I think he retired at the end of 1975 and was therefore 47 when he retired, but he may have gone on. Can anyone confirm? Although not quite as old as the others probably the best 'old un' was Aub Lawson, who retired in 1960 at the age of 44, still averaging over nine points a match in the First Division (National League). Then of course there's False dawn.......