Bryn

And what a "holy" alliance we once had between King's Lynn and Ipswich with the formation of the Anglian Angels junior side feature Matthew, Mark Luke AND John! * i.e. MATTHEW Read MARK Thompson LUKE Clifton and JOHN Curtis

John Holder...ah remember him well! Real nice bloke. He became Roland Pollard's stepfather through marriage I believe. Roly was a more than useful second halfer / reserve at NL level particularly at Hackney. As for John himself, last time I met up with him, which was some years ago now, he was still racing motorbikes competing in vintage road / circuit racing around Europe. Jack Bibby was something of a "second half favourite" at Crayford and who could ever forget Roy Barwick and his seemingly "telescopic" left leg in those London Road days. Richard Willis, Richard Newnham and Tony Brooks are three more tthat spring to mind. In the early NL days at Hackney, following Len Silver selling out to start up his Silverski operation, "Veggie" better known as Steve Verge and, of course, the legendary Mick Fitzpatrick (sponsored by Stan Flashman - "Ticket Broker") were crowd favourites. And then there was dear old John Gazey...living in sunnier climes now i do believe AND a member of this forum! Memories!

Very interesting reading your comments born_2B_mad and, I think the salient points (for the purpose of this particular posting only) made by Sean (and forgive the editing but done for a purpose as you'll see) was when he said, "i was thinking more along the lines of an amateur league, where smaller clubs could get started and build up riders and fans bases, before deciding to go professional. Not all clubs need to be professional. think of the chances of getting maybe Lottery grants and financial backing with Youth policies and youth racing, if the "Club" wasn't professionally linked to a league. i am not talking about breaking away and taking say half the riders now from any league and starting a "league". i am thinking away from the professional scene and taking the amateur and youth away from the BSPA." Unfortunately Sean's vision (which has many commendable points) does not ally itself well with what Dave # Name Removed #, a director of your club at Plough Lane, said on a different thread. That was, "It's all very well for the critics, who are not putting either their time or their money into the Sport to come out with various unworkable suggestions, but the reality is that Wimbledon is expensive to run and nobody is going to pay £11 to watch one old hand and six novices get beaten every week. (Sorry, never have liked the word 'wobblers')" I think this is a prime example as to just how difficult it has been, and will continue to be, to come up with some form of formula to "combine" everyone's different agendas in the CL.

I'm a tad late in replying I know BUT good idea Lunchy...take it you're gonna put your name forward for the job of "scoreboard operator and filler in" at Broadford???

Mmmm....quite how would that work Sean? Are you talking about a league working completely outside the framework of the BSPA / SCB? If so it would hardly be likely to attract young prospects who have set their sights on becoming full time professional speedway riders I would have thought. It might attract riders at the end of their career looking to make a few bucks it suppose

Fine....in theory! BUT, would it be a viable proposition for some of those clubs Sean?

in charge of driving the team bus maybe........... Mmmmm.....LAST time Ronnie did that (i.e. drive the Hackney team bus) we ran out of diesel en route to Middlesbrough! As my fellow countryman Max Boyce would say, "I know cos I was there!"

VV - DON'T talk such utter twaddle! Neil and the Brits gave their all tonight.

Jeez peoples - if YOU were commentating on that meeting YOU would have needed a drink or two to steady you down. Mind you most of you would freeze if a microphone was given to you - admit it!

That posting is absolute balderdash! As at 6.40pm still baking hot at Wimborne road, not a cloud in the sky - meeting most DEFINITELY ON!

Got to agree that the Danny Bird / Mark Simmonds crash was horrendous looking as was the sight of Simmo sailing through the air and landing in someone's back garden behind the first bend at the County ground. Also remember a second half crash at Hackney that saw Lee Pavitt (son of current IOW co-promoter Dave) fly through the air with the greatest of ease clearing the six foot high safety fence and nigh on landing on the dog track exiting the second bend at Waterden Road.

As you say David, very sad news indeed. I was lucky enough to see Alby ride in years gone by and indeed it was a pleasure to see him at the Isle of Wight a couple of years ago. As you say, one of the sport's real gentlemen. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

In my dim and distant youth, I took part in a Crayford Supporters v Rye House footie match. Brian Foote played for the Rockets and came onto the field wearing hobnail boots. Needless to say most on our side were rather reluctant to tackle him!

Talking of Hackney (rather than "that lot" from SW19!) one of my abiding 'off track' memories of Waterden Road - apart from dear old Snowy's bacon sarneys in the Vic Harding lounge after meetings, was catching up with Mike Gerrie each week. Now I know his son Alisdair used to be a member of this forum (not sure if he still is) but I'm sure he won't mind me telling you a bit about his dad. It makes me laugh when i read all the whinges and moans on forums such as these for, I'd say to people who post regularly in such a way, put yourself in Mike's place. He is one of the most avid speedway supporters I've ever come across - and he's NEVER seen any of the countless meetings he's attended! He explained to me that, as a very small baby, soome sort of disease made him go totally blind. That didn't stop him thoroughly enjoying the sport, and being very knowledgeable about it too. Great sense of humour with it - once asked me to ask the female serving behind the Burger King counter at a motorway services if she fancied a blind date! Hope he's still going strong.

One of my abiding memories of matches at Canterbury was the near-suicidal dash from Kingsmead to the Kempton Manor Hotel near Hothfield my ex-missus and I used to make after meetings. To explain, I was the DJ at the hotel which was situated on the A20 at Hothfield near Ashford and 'performed' there every Saturday night. That was after the paying punters enjoyed a carvery meal in the restaurant. I'd managed to work out that we just about had time to see the match at Kingsmead before making the dash to the hotel to arrive more or less at the time everyone had finished their meals. We used to park our trusty Morris Oxford in the swimming pool car park opposite the stadium and literally run to it immediately after the last race for a "Le Mans type" getaway! Now my ex-wife always had aspirations of following in the footsteps of various Grand Prix drivers and, believe me the way she drove along the Canterbury to Charing Road (which was not the best I've got to say!) certainly wasn't for the faint hearted! Nor were my efforts to execute a complete change of clothing in the front seat of the car whilst she slung the old Morris Oxford around the many bends at breakneck speeds! Happy days indeed!

Good to hear about Tony - not surprised that he works in a potato factory for on one northern tour for the Kestrels, when we arrived at Craighead Park (one of Glasgow's former homes) his first words to Jim Beaton Snr who was grading the track was, "when's the potatoes coming up then boy." !!! Mr Beaton was NOT impressed! LOL Once acted as mechanic (er I use that phrase VERY loosely!) for Mike Spinks (not to be confused with Canterbury / Peterborough's Mike Spink) at Canterbury and he scored a 15 points max! Met up with Paul Bosley and his brother Steve at Eastbourne last night - Paul is in the car spraying business.

Just goes to show that this lack of sleep lark plays havoc with my memory (or is it Alzheimers setting in???) - yep I'll be at Wimborne Road!

Thanks for the nice comments (cheque's in the post!) and yes I did 'cover' for John, who of couse is sadly no longer with us, on quite a few occasions. As for writing a book...one day perhaps BUT goodness only knows when I'd be able to find the time...looks like Oxford tomorrow, Easbourne Saturday, Sittingbourne Sunday, Wolves Monday, IOW Tuesday, Arena Wednesday....

Can help you on some of these: 1. Last time I saw Laurie was at Arena a couple of seasons back - he and wife Dee still live in Pulborough in Sussex where I believe Laurie works as a plumber. 2. Pete Wigley - "slightly" over his racing weight last time I saw him at an IOW match last year (he and wife Chris visit Smallbrook every year). Tells me he has now got a supervisors job wiith the GPO or whatever it's called nowadays. 3. Saw Alan Sage at Arena last year - hasn't changed a bit...stil lives in Ashford. 4. Tony's somewhere in Norfol! 5. Met Alan Johns (briefly!) at Barnehurst (Kent) railway station last year - like Sagey, hasn't changed one bit! 6. Beliieve Richard Davey (like "Feathers") lives in Norfolk still. 7. Johnny H - last I heard, was running a driving school in Kent Can't help on Geoff Canble, Jack Bibby or Paul Hollingsbee. Garry May lives and works in Poole and regularly attends matches at Wimborne Road And finally, Nigel Sparshott was tragically killed in a road accident a few years ago. Hope that helps Bryn

My day, like most others, was brilliant and what a great meeting it was. Knackered though now - got back here to Kent at 4.30am...2 hours kip....am compiling programmes right now...off to Boston (King's Lynn) in 3 hours, the Eastbourne tomorrow, IOW Tuesday, Arena Wednesday....MIGHT have day off Thursday (!)...Oxford Friday.....

Your memory serves you correctly once again VV!!! And dear old Peter Thorogood was none too pleased when I called a halt to the meeting midway through due to that wet stuff falling down in buckets!

No you didn't dream it VV - that's exactly what happened....I would have waved the chequered flag "Paul Johnson" style (remember him?) but I was scared of splitting my trousers!

Blimey - SKID!!!! How ya doing? Me? Smoke??? Er...yep! LOL Sunny yourself in the Phillipines huh? Alright for some! Anyway you'll be pleased to know that dear old Snowy's still around and a regular at Arena Essex although he doesn't get to many away tracks now. He had a stroke a few years back but he's still with us. Wonder what Terry Heath's doing now?

Nope...haven't forgotten you Robyn - as if anyone could! Ah....Snowy's bacon sarnies...can still taste 'em now...or is that indigestion?

Ouch! He always did have a "way with words" lol! You must have known his Dad too then I guess? I'm sure Shazzy new Andy's dad Chris as I did. Smashing guy and went on many an away trip with him. One notable occasion he turned up for a northern tour in his Rolls Royce despite me telling him to bring his other car - and Opel! Somewhat embarrasing moments - 1. We ran out of fuel on the A19 near Middlesbrough and 2. Got a puncture in the sheffield car park! Life didn't treat Chris that kindly in his latter years and he was not in the best of health. He lived in rented accommodation near to where I and the ex were and often came round for dinner. Sadly he had a massive stroke one night, was rushed to hospital and subsequently died.