norbold

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.......

Geoff Pymar had a ride round King's Lynn when he was about 88 I think. Not a league match either....

Well I don't think there's much doubt that Bill Thomas must have been the oldest rider riding in league speedway. But if we're talking about British leagues, that's still open. I will try and check on ages over the week end and see what I can come up with.

George Newton - now there was a rider! One of the most spectacular leg trailers ever by all accounts. Just wish I'd seen him. He was born in 1913 and retired at the end of the 1952 season so he was a mere lad of 39 on his retirement. Not a candidate for one of the oldest riders ever. He began his career at West Ham, equalling Vic Huxley's track record in his very first match. He moved on to Crystal Palace and had some outings at Eastbourne. When Crystal Palace moved to New Cross Georgie went with. His best period was between 1936 and 1938 but then he contracted tuberculosis and did not ride again until 1948 when he turned out once again for New Cross (minus a lung and several ribs). He moved on to Fleetwood then Walthamstow. In 1951 he transferred to Liverpool and he finished his career in 1952 at St Austell, taking over the role of team manager on his retirement. Before the War he was one of England's top riders, reaching all three World Finals and represented England in three Test series. He was never the same after his illness but he was still a force to be reckoned with in the second division.

Well I guess that's settled that question then!

No, it's not him. It's a different Ian H.

Out of interest...Just found this on an old thread from Ian H:

Without looking up dates at the moment (I'm at work!), I think Ron Johnson, Geoff Pymar and Wal Morton all rode for teams when in their 50s. It's an interesting question. I look forward to more responses.

Here's a start: List of Riders who are known to have ridden for Norwich with dates Atkins, Peter: 1956 Bales, Billy: 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 Berthelsen, Keihn: 1952 Betts, Terry: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 Birtwell, Bill: 1937, 1938, 1939 Brand, Fred: 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956 Bravery, Ted: 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 Challis, Charlie 1946 Chamberlain, Johnnie: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 Clarke, Phil: 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 Codling, Bill: 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954 Craighead, Roy: 1953, 1954 Crane, David: 1964 Craven, Malcolm: 1937 Cresp, Ray: 1962 Davies, Johnny: 1949 Davies, Trevor: 1951 Debbage, John: 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 Dugard, Charlie: 1937 Duke, Roy: 1946, 1947, 1948 East, Barry: 1953, 1954 Edwards, Harry: 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962 Featherby, Clive: 1959, 1960 Featherby, Craig: 1954 Flood, Malcolm: 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956 Freeman, Jack: 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 Fundin, Ove: 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 Gilbert, Bill: 1952 Gooch, Jimmy: 1962, 1963 Goodchild, Paul 1937, 1938, 1939 Grosskreutz, Max: 1938 Hammond, Paddy: 1946, 1947, 1948 Hedge, Trevor: 1962, 1963, 1964 Hendriksen, Arne: 1958, 1959 Hipperson, Sid: 1946, 1947, 1948 Houghton, Don: 1946, 1947 Hunter, Alec: 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953 Hussey, Gerry: 1956, 1958 Jay, Wilf: 1937, 1938, 1939, 1946 Last, Ken: 1962 Lawson, Aub: 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Lawson, Don: 1955 Levai, Sandor: 1964 Leverenz, Bob: 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 Lish, Charlie: 1937 Littlewood, Syd: 1938, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 Major, George: 1964 Mills, Paddy: 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 Milwall, Jim: 1937 Moore, Chum: 1937 Moore, Peter: 1959 Moore, Ray: 1952 Morgan, Reg: 1948 Morton, Wal: 1937, 1939, 1948, 1957 Neil, Merv: 1953, 1954 Newton, Denis: 1960, 1961, 1962 Nygren, Olle: 1962, 1963, 1964 Oakley, Bob: 1954 Pawson, Fred: 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954 Peel, Alec: 1937, 1939 Pike, Harwood 1946 Powell, Ivor "Aussie": 1948 Pymar, Geoff: 1956, 1957 Read, Len: 1946, 1947 Read, Tich: 1950, 1964 Revett, Geoff: 1947, 1948 Roger, Cyril: 1953, 1954, 1955, 1959 Rogers, Fred: 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954 Smith, Alan: 1937, 1938, 1939 Spencer, Bert: 1937, 1938, 1939, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 Strutt, Derek: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 Sweet, Jock: 1937, 1938, 1939 Thorpe, Jack (Bluey): 1946, 1947, 1948 Trott, Reg: 1956, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 Watling, Lionel: 1952 White, John: 1948 Wiliams, Eric: 1962 Wise, Dicky: 1937, 1938, 1939 Then, of course, there's Yarmouth and King's Lynn...

I was very sorry to hear that former Wimbledon and Belle Vue stalwart Cyril Maidment died over the week end on his 75th birthday I believe. He had been ill for some time but still a shock when it happens. My sincerest sympathies and condolences to his family.

Too right Sir Lunchy!

No bonus points. Sorry about missing out the number of rides. I remembered I should have done that just after I switched off the computer for the night!