Ommer Mon

Not sure about kevlars but I think many of us will recall Preben Eriksen's van with a scantily clad young lady showing her rear end. I seem to remember some carefully placed insulation tape was required. Type Preben Eriksen van into Google images and you will see what I mean!

Thanks for the Sprouts Elder connection. I wasn't aware of that and thought it may be something to do with the affect that they can have if you eat too many! Here's another - Ole Olsen described as 'The Head Waiter' always presumed that was around him leaving his passing manoeuvres to the last moment. Any thoughts on that?

A bit of fun. What's the daftest nickname for a rider? We've had the 'Polkadot Kid' in Chris Pusey, 'Mad Wellie' with Malcolm Holloway but does anyone know how Ivan Mauger earned his 'Sprouts' tag?

Well done Cleggy! Excellent result for someone who is turning into quite a talent.

Cradley's final home league match of the campaign on Monday and a chance for us to put a bit more distance between us and Belle Vue in the run in to see who claims the final play off spot. It will be really tough against Kent who have been the best team in the League apart from the Brummies. I'm hearing whispers of Tom Perry guesting for Luke Chessell but not sure how accurate they may be. I take Cradley to win by 4 points. Could be a cracking meeting.

Absolutely brilliant. Best race track ever and glad to see the new place is capturing some of the thriils from Hyde Road. I think I may start work on an equivilent of Dudley Wood - shouldn't take too long we had no stands!

Reason I recall it in particular was some Kings Lynn fans in tee shirts with S T A R S printed - one on each shirt. I recall that S and T diappeared at one stage leaving the remaining three still in order much to the amusement of the the rest of us! Happy days!

Sounds like some of our single meetings at Stoke in the past. One in particular, on the Sunday after the GP in 2011 (I think) when we waited two hours in blistering heat just for the paramedic to arrive before we had a stop start meeting. The bar ran out of everything! At least you had some racing to watch. I also seem to remember an epic from Monmore in the 80s, the four team tournament finals I think. That seemed to last for ever.

This could be a cracker tonight and best of luck to both sides. Let's hope speedway is the winner tonight and not the curfew!

Top prediction Little Thumper. I thought Armo would give it a real shot for nostalgic purposes!

Round a cricket ground if I remember and didn't Barry Meeks get into the Guiness Book of Records as the fastest Speedway rider at one stage?

What is the upper age limit for refs these days. I've seen a few veterans in the past Stan Green springs to mind.

I think it could be closer that 15 points. I'll take the Colts to win by 8 with Armo having a good night. Though I have to confess we could do with an away win here (said he desperately!).

Glad to see the positive comments about the standard of National League racing. When Cradley came back at this level there were many who were sceptical about whether the fans would stay with it after the initial interest had subsided. After all with a pedigree that includes many World Champions there was a big possibility that many would not bother. I've been really impressed with the standard, so much better than when we used to see teams of juniors pottering around and falling off regularly. Its all about racing and occasionally you get the odd surprise moment like Monday night when Ben Basford pulled an incredible locker, messed up the rider behind him and Joe Lawlor shot past both of them into the lead. I think the NL has proved its worth with the likes of Cook, Lambert, Garrity, Morris, Worrall(s), Ellis, Starke and Newman now becoming firmly established in the Elite league. Long may it continue ( and I'm glad the value of guys like Armo and Atkin (Wales no 1) was appreciated earlier).

My favourite Chris Morton story. He was excluded at Cradley in a first bend fall. He got up, picked his bike up, saw his exclusion light and started to march purposefully across the track, across the centre green, opened the gate in the fence by the starting gate, crossed the dog track, came up the steps to the Referee's Box, shaking the whole structure as he went and banged on the door. The Ref (forgotten who it was) opened the door and with the crowd egging him on in anticipation of a massive punch up, all he said was 'You're not going to change your mind are you?' in his best Manc accent. Superb theatre!

I had given up hope on us making the playoffs but a couple of decent results at Stoke and Buxton could give us a shout especially if the Colts run out of time to stage some of their fixtures. Still it will only get us the honour of a thumping from the Brummies methinks!

A much improved performance from the lower end of the team. Bradley Andrews won a couple and Ben Basford looked a bit more confident than of late and I hope that's the start of him recapturing his early season form, which was impressive for a 3 pointer. Ash and Cleggy were superb again, Luke only dropped points through a fall. Richard does seem to be struggling a bit recently though (could it be the result of an Eastbourne official with a calculator riding pillion?). (Only kidding!) Star of the show was Joe Lawlor. Great to see a number 8 firstly given rides and secondly scoring points. Bet he's never had a reception like that before. Well done fella!

Oh dear - another right tonking! Can't see us being involved in the play offs at this rate. Thanks to Ben Morley for putting in another great shift as a guest.

LOL!

The Heathens host the Potters as we attempt to keep our push for the play offs on track. Well Stoke have lost all seven of their away matches so what could possibly go wrong? Those of us who recall the 27-64 drubbing in 2011 will be taking nothing for granted. Should be comfortable for the Heathens and I'm looking for 54-36. Hopefully Ben and Brad can find their best form again. Don't forget it's on Tuesday!

Out the back

Have to say I thought the move was a little odd when I looked the averages up but I'm out of step with all the rules these days so thought nothing of it. I accept that it was outside the rules but perhaps a little common sense should have been applied. Tyler is a young lad who is in need of the rides and thats what we were trying to give him.He wasn't going to come into the side and score a dozen points a meeting and I doubt Cradley could be accused of working a flanker as it would have actually weakened the side as Tyler is the same standard as our reserves and Richard Andrews would have missed his R/R ride. Don't bother pointing out that Speedway and common sense are mutually exclusive - i know that. Well if it was 25 years ago I can guarantee that Pratty would be checking the rule book to see if we could nominate Tyler as our number 8. Just sorry for the lad who will be missing out!

From a position of pure self interest, I think a Kings win would help the Heathens out a bit and set things up nicely for our visit on 23 Sept. Not sure why I'm so keen to be facing the Brummies in the Play Offs though! They would be bound to pick us for the semi to put a few quid in the bank.

I enjoy my footy too, Little Thumper, but I believe that there should be a balance in sports offered in an area. I think this takes care of the last dog track in London doesn't it? All very sad.

There are a few grizzles on the main Cradley page.