norbold

I bought quite a few from him.

11 May 1960. New Cross v. Norwich. Britannia Shield. I'm not sure which season I have the most programmes from without checking, but I would guess probably 1964 as I went to West Ham and Hackney every week plus Wimbledon quite frequently as well as Rye House. But it could be any other season in the 60s or early 70s! You've given me a job to do now to find out!

So do I, BOBBATH, and I used to attend a lot of meetings actually wearing an anorak back in the day!

I still feel bad for Trevor Redmond losing the 1961 Provincial Riders' Championship (60 years ago) as he was easily the best rider on view that night, but shed his chain on the last corner of the last bend of his last race while well in front. So I wouldn't feel so bad about something that happened as recently as a mere 49 years ago, TWK!

That's a very unfair comment, Technik. the opening post talks of three fathers and sons as the topic he wanted discussed. The discussion generally follows in that vein with contributors looking to match the number of three. It is really not just chunky who took that to be the subject of the thread.

So what you mean is they didn't hold the Internationale final at the nearest track to my home just to make it easier for me to get to after all? Great work as always by the way, BL.

I don't know, but I'm glad it was as it was easier for me to get to!

Correct, steve.

Not always. Only until 1960.

Talking of Bob Dugard….there was Charlie Dugard, then Bob, John and Eric, then Martin. Are there any great grandchildren at Eastbourne?

Great work BL. The best news is that West Ham would have won anyway. Hooray!

Kelvin's not very good at arithmetic….

You couldn't very well miss it!

I went to that as well. I don't remember seeing you there! I was at college in Norwich at the time and I hired a car and managed to persuade a few (non-speedway) friends to join me and drive across to Cradley. When we got there, we joined the West Ham supporters' section of course. After the meeting, naturally, I wanted to celebrate with my fellow supporters so I stayed with them, while my college friends, who weren't really that interested, drove back to Norwich. Fortunately, there was a spare seat on the coach going back to London, so I hopped on that. Good times!

Yes, indeed. I was actually at the meeting. Even though it was over 55 years ago now, I can still remember it more vividly than any other meeting I've ever been to. It was a once in a lifetime experience for a West Ham supporter!

Thanks, BL, I knew I could rely on you. And yes, I agree about Tony Clarke as well. I think we did recognise his contribution at the time, but it always seemed that Malcolm's was the deciding factor. However, it is interesting looking at those figures that the change wasn't quite as sudden as I maybe thought and he was working his way up to that meeting on 14th August over the previous month. Many years later I spoke to both Malcolm Simmons and Dave Lanning (West Ham's manager on 14th) about the meeting and both agreed it was Malcolm's "coming of age" moment. Malcolm told me he didn't clean his bike for weeks afterwards because it was running so perfectly that day that he didn't want to risk touching anything!

Thanks as always for all your fantastic information on this thread, BL. Now, talking of 1965 and West Ham....As a supporter and regular that year, I have always put West Ham's treble success down to Malcolm Simmons' transition from second string to heat leader status. I could probably work this out myself, but I wondered if you have Malcolm's League and Cup averages up to 13 August and then from 14 August onwards (that being the day of the KO Cup Quarter Final replay against Wimbledon when he suddenly came good and became a different rider). Thanks in advance.

Good old Stan - always a West Ham man at heart!

Would you not support the individual riders from your team? That was one of the good things about the old individual meetings.

So sorry to hear this, andout. Sincere condolences to you and your family.

Aub Lawson won the first race I ever saw. He beat Split Waterman in Heat One of the Britannia Shield match, New Cross v. Norwich, 11 May 1960. He went on to score 16 paid 17. The only New Cross rider to beat him was Jimmy Gooch, who instantly became my favourite rider. Another favourite, both at New Cross and West Ham, was Reg Luckhurst - though he was more of a pop star of course.

Yes. Exactly that. I'd also like to add the magnificent, the unbeatable, Bjorn Knutson - class personified - and following the rise to stardom of Malcolm Simmons. Plus my old mate, Stan Stevens. And to the old timers, Aub Lawson.

You and me both, chr. I wonder how many meetings we have both seen without knowing!

Spot on, Arnie. As a Londoner, your last point applied to me too. In the early 70s we had Wimbledon, West Ham, Hackney, Wembley, Crayford and Romford with Rye House and Rayleigh in close proximity. Twice a week (West Ham & Hackney) was regular for me. Three times was not unusual. Four on several occasions as well. Perhaps, best of all, was the idea of having mostly the same team year after year with favourite riders re-appearing each season so you really felt your team was your team and not just a collection of visiting guests that changed annually. You could buy their rosettes, safe in the knowledge they would last longer than one year!

Ivan Mauger?