norbold

I would agree with that. It's a shame Plechanov was unable to ride in the West on a regular basis. Had he done so, I think he would have won at least one World title and we may be talking about a "Big Six".

Two points. 1. If we are considering all Aussies and not just the five Sidney randomly chose in the op, you would certainly have to also include Frank Arthur, Vic Huxley, Max Grosskreutz, Bluey Wilkinson, Lionel Van Praag, Vic Duggan, Graham Warren amongst others. 2. As for Aub Lawson, he would most certainly have to be considered for a top five place. He had an amazing career, being a leading rider from 1939 to 1960. One of the longest careers as a top class rider of anyone in the history of the sport, along with riders like Jack Parker, Ronnie Moore and Greg Hancock and even though his best years were probably just after the War, he was still, towards the end of his career, able to mix it with the likes of the "Big Five". In fact he was one of only three riders to break the World Championship Podium monopoly of the "Big Five" between 1955 and 1963, when he came third in 1958. (The other two by the way were Arthur Forrest and Gote Nordin.)

Do me a favour, Sidney, I'm not as old as Gustix! I did see him at the end of his career at New Cross in 1961when he won two Individual Trophies, the Tom Farndon Memorial Trophy and the King of the South in 1961, beating Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Ronnie Moore, Peter Craven and Bjorn Knutson in the process. I felt quite privileged in seeing Youngie at his best and can only imagine what he must have been like in his prime.

Sorry Sidney, I don't know what happened to your quote, but you know the one I mean!!!

I can remember going up to Wembley one year on the Underground and got talking to a Newcastle supporter. He kept calling him Mauger and I kept saying Major. In the end I asked him why he pronounced it Mauger. He said, "It's auger without the M isn't it, so it must be Mauger with an M." Couldn't argue with that logic!

Hmm...difficult one that. Especially deciding between Crump Jnr and Youngie for no. 1. Apart from Fundin, Crump Jnr is the only rider to finish on the podium in ten successive seasons which should make him the no.1. However, I would say that at no time was he clearly the best rider in the world in the same way that Young was. Young dominated the early 1950s in the same way as say Rickardsson did in the 2000s. To offset that however, Youngie was not in or around the elite for as long as Crumpie. My instinct would be that if we are looking at Young just in the first three or four years of the 1950s, then he would be top. If over their whole career, then Crump Jnr. So, having weighed all that up, I would go for 1. Crump Jnr 2. Young 3. Adams 4. Sanders 5. Crump Snr.

My son has just dropped off some vital supplies on my doorstep - a six pack of crumpets!

The reason it stands out for me is because I went to college in Norwich and I persuaded some of my college friends (most of whom had never heard of speedway let alone seen it!) to come and cheer on Ove. I have to say I didn't hold out much hope as he was past his best by then. It served to enhance my reputation as College's speedway expert!

Yes, that was me. You don't happen to have a photo by any chance do you?

I was there as well. Don't remember seeing you though.

I've only seen one abroad - Gothenburg 1971. Wembley finals I saw were 1963, 65, 67, 69, 72, 75, 78 and 81. Three wins for Olsen, two wins for Fundin, two for Mauger, one for Knutson and one for Penhall As I said above, the one that stands out most in my memory is Ove Fundin's win in 1967. Though Knutson's win was very satisfying partly because he had been West Ham's captain the year before and partly because he fully deserved a World Championship as the only one of the "Big Five" not to win one up to that point.

Of those I have actually seen, Ove Fundin's win in 1967 is the one that stands out most for me.

I think the big question following yesterday's announcement is: Do crumpets count as essential supplies?

It's a local shop for local people - we'll have no trouble here.

Tell the corner shop owner not to sell to anyone he knows is not a local.

My food parcel's arrived....no crumpets though!

My son won't let me out the house. Both my wife (his mum) and my son (his brother) have died within the last two years and he doesn't want me to take any chances as he doesn't want to lose me as well. So, since last Tuesday I have just stayed at home. It's already driving me mad! Another three months - aaaarrrggghhhh!!!!! Anyway, he is just about to come round with a food parcel - my first since I have been in lockdown. He says he will leave it outside the front door. I hope it's got crumpets in it.....

Cripes, Tsunami. For once we seem to be in full agreement!

Personally I'd put Hancock 5th of that lot. So not that clear cut really.

So, just coincidence then?

I agree with all of that. It is very hard to overrate any rider who won four World titles! The only caveat I would add to that is that, after winning the title in 1997, he didn't figure greatly again until after the era of Rickardsson, Crump, Pedersen and Gollob was over, which, I guess, must mean something in where we rate him in the "Best Ever" category.

As some of you know I am chairman of the Trust that owns and runs our local theatre. We have spoken to our insurers about the situation as we are covered for loss of revenue if we have to close for any reason. We have been told that if we decide unilaterally to close we won't get anything, but if the Government or local council tell us we have to close we will. So our view is to wait until we are told. The real problem for us will be if the Government says that all gatherings over 500 are banned as our theatre seats about 580. It is not often we reach that figure and most shows would have audiences under 500, but some coming up in the near future are sold out or very nearly. So do we limit our ticket sales to 500? And what about those shows that have already sold more? Do we just cancel those and keep the others on? Could be a nightmare!

Yep, same here plus tinned Fray Bentos pies!

Well, yes it does. It could mean that riders two and three have actually ridden as a team to keep the fourth rider out, whereas rider one had no intention of riding as a team and just shot off for his individual win. This is a team event and that's why coming second and third is better than first and fourth. League speedway allows for a draw; the SON doesn't.

I agree chunky. Speedway can be an individual sport or a team sport. In the case of the SON, it is a team sport, so why not reward the best TEAM rather than the team with the best individual rider? The individuals can show their prowess in the Grand Prix (or not).