tomcat

Signed with pleasure.... Best of Luck with the campaign.

I have learned this evening that Nigel 'NODDY' Fordham has sadly passed away. It appears that Noddy suffered a heart attack, then once in hospital had a massive stroke and sadly passed away. Most speedway fans will fondly remember Noddy, for his unique way of getting around the country and Europe for speedway meetings, covering thousands of miles by thumbing a lift and hitch hiking everywhere. I am still in a state of shock as Noddy was a good mate and stayed in touch, even after I had to leave my job at Foxhall many years ago. Noddy was a true speedway fan, in every sense, supporting riders from many clubs and countries, no matter what. I am going to miss you mate and may you rest in peace and look down on your coveted Witches from that great speedway track in the sky. R.I.P Noddy Jerry, Dee & JJ

And for those that want to go straight to the incident, rather than watch nearly two hours of dross, its at 1.55.30. That time starts as the rider involved comes off the fourth bend. Very very lucky girls indeed!

You can add Danny King to that as well. Both King and Newman ride for Leicester and Ipswich. Been asking the question for ages, who DO they ride for in the event that the two clubs meet in the Promotion/Relegation Play Off??? Ridiculous scenario for me, a fan since 1969, so no chance of getting any potential new fans to take the sport seriously!!

See you there if you're going Pob.... Cancel that.... due to wife falling ill, now have to try for next week instead guys.

Cheers Siggy... Realised after I had posted that it was Wednesday this week but couldn't be bothered to edit my post. Weather permitting I will be there Wednesday.

It's me Baldy.... One and the same TomCat... aka Jerry that used to help Bob with the track, spanner for various riders when required etc etc, Good to see Pob at the footie Friday night, to give his team some moral support, but boy was he in some pain. Maybe I will get along to Foxhall, if time allows, as basically full time with the footie refereeing, so not easy to get to see the boys ride these days. I was trying for next Thursday, as have nothing appointed game wise as things stand, but will have to see what happens as I really would like to get at least one live fixture in before the end of the speedway season.

Nice to have met you mate. I honestly hope that you make a full recovery, Achilles injuries are amongst the most painful that I have ever had, did mine during a league game while being assessed for a refereeing promotion, carried on and regretted it afterwards, but still got my promotion.... somehow lol. Will miss you Friday night, as I'm now officially your full time ref, so hopefully we'll get to meet up again in future.

Was Pob playing on the practice pitch behind the stand at Portman Rd by any chance, as someone there crawled off the pitch in a fair bit of agony with an Achilles injury..... if so, I was the referee and told him to stop as he was considering playing on!! That was Friday evening...

Possibly stirring the pot?? I thought it was one of the new harder compound tyres, thankfully Phil The Ace put me wise above. Mind you, even one of the old tyres shouldn't have shredded like that after just 3 heats.

Just seen the pic that Martin Dugard tweeted... If that's one of the new harder compound tyres, which I believe is supposed to last longer than last years, then I see some rider action coming, as that is outrageously dangerous!!

Oi... I resemble that remark I'll have you know, for the past three and a half seasons!!

Petition signed. Typical EU balderdash!!

A Happy and Prosperous New Year to you too Jenga. Also A Happy New Year to fellow Witches fans and Fans of ALL clubs.... have a safe and happy one folks.

RIP Bryn. What a sad sad day, not just personally, but for the speedway world as a whole. I first met Bryn at Ipswich, then went on to see and speak to him at numerous tracks around the country, always it seemed with that trademark SuperKings stuck in his mouth. Polite and with a wicked sense of humour, Bryn always had time for a natter, which we all appreciated. My sincerest condolences to family and friends at this sad time.

Get Well Soon Bryn, you old codger.... Speedway needs you back and raring to go come March, no skiving off now!! Cheers for letting everyone know VV, good man and have a Happy Christmas and New Year, glad to see the Hammers still racing on.

Team looks good on paper, may even tempt me back for a look after 4 years or so, but one thing I do hope and pray for, is that everyone gives the two kids at reserve their full support all the way through, even if they have a bad night. They're taking a huge responsibility on at the tail end and need constant support and encouragement, not grief if they struggle. Some fans wanted Chris to add to the clubs asset base and give youth a chance, well he's done that in my view, now lets get behind them, like we used to do back in the day of second halfers getting a crack at a team place. Onwards and upwards Witches fans and hopefully see some of you in the new season ahead. First time in years I've actually felt quite excited about a coming speedway season.

I wanted to congratulate you too Phil, what a lovely piece. In fact, well done to everyone that contributed to Dave's Obituary in the SS, he truly would have been proud, despite the sad circumstances it was great to relive just some of the stories, brought back so many happy memories of the Golden Years of British and World Speedway. Well done to everyone and thank you from one happy Speedway Star reader and fan of our wonderful sport since 1969.

RIP Dave. Quite simply the best there has ever been, bar none! You will be sadly missed by the entire speedway world, of that you can be sure. Fortunately, we can still enjoy your first class commentary via the many DVD's and platforms such as YouTube. My sincerest condolences to family and friends at this sad time. Thanks for the memories Big Man.

A huge Thank you and well done to Sue and everyone on the Updates site. I don't attend live meetings anymore either, more to do with my job as a footie referee and just not having the time anymore. No, us refs don't just work in the winter, its a year round job these days, so speedway loses out, It's fantastic to be able to keep up to date with meetings, or as I invariably do, pop onto Updates and read the threads after the meeting has finished, due to evening kick offs. Keep up the good work guys and long may you continue.

Get Well Soon NP, not everyones cup of tea, but as the years have gone by, I've learned to appreciate his talent and his showmanship..... he obviously likes playing the villain on track, but is a nice guy off it. Best Wishes for a speedy recovery.

Already mentioned, but Tim Hunt was crackers. One incident (well two really), was Hunt the Shunts fencing of John Louis at Reading, when Hunt had moved to the Racers from Ipswich. JL duly noted that incident and promptly put Hunt into the back straight fence at Foxhall, just before they entered the 3rd bend in the return fixture....I forget the year I'm afraid. But Hunt had a habit of knocking opposition riders off, even during his Witches days. Never liked him then and liked him even less when he moved on.

Ah... So you can 'Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies' OK, I'll get me coat...

Just wanted to add my best wishes for a speedy recovery to Bob. Get Well Soon mate. A top guy and top track man too. Jerry, Dee & JJ