daveallan81

A sportsman lying to the referee. I've never heard the like...

If you want to go down that route don't forget Ellesmere Port - closed in 83 & 84, won the NL in 85, then closed never to be seen again.

I'd love to go to High Beech in 1928. Wearing a Wulfsport jacket.

Promoters only release attendance figures when they're looking for more money.

Long Eaton finished bottom of the NL in 1983, won the league in 1984.

Slight correction - I'm saying weather wasn't a factor - what I meant of course was it was only one of the factors considered. Belle Vue are a slightly grey area - clearly there was no chance of some of the fixtures going ahead. If you remove them from the equation completely the percentage is still a tasty 24.48% but realistically they must be charged with at least 4 cancellations which still returns the highest ever percentage at 26.53%.

Weather wasn't a factor. The only criteria was if a match was scheduled but wasn't staged.

I was reminded earlier that Tigers had a fun afternoon in the sun and dust at Mildenhall in 1989 that rekindled all the old rivalry which began at Blantyre. Fen Tigers didn't come to the tapes in 1990 which may further explain the 'ha-ha' comment.

The depressing news is that where postponements are concerned, 2016 is officially the worst start to a season since 1965. 43 matches out of 151 (28.48%) have been lost up to 30th April, nearly double those lost for the same period last season. 1979 had more actual matches postponed (44) but that came from 220 meetings. Best start to a season was 1969 when only 1 match was lost from 125. https://www.dropbox.com/s/uyg2iij8j4c55br/PostAbandendApril.pdf?dl=0

Actually I thought I'd revealed all, obviously not. Mildenhall were the recipients of that in-depth review, a far cry from their top status of 1979. Two tempestous visits to Blantyre in 81 and 82 probably had something to do with it...

I'm looking at the 1960 programme right now.

Some old Bristol programme scans (not mine), just one from 1960 though https://app.box.com/s/wm7cfpcwle17ebtue3q3/1/487190160

I'd start here http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/bristol.html

Nicky Nicholson's website is worth a look http://glasgowcshistory.tripod.com/

Blow it out yer ass, McCaffery.

Actually, no. I don't think I've ever been at a tobacco company sponsored meeting come to think of it. I actually thought the Skoal logo looked cool, the way he wears his mask to cover up the hole in his face, awesome. Still, having your jaw eaten away was infinitely more preferable to owning a Yugo or FSO car.

Skoal Bandits. Speedway, the only family sport that gives you cancer.

Perhaps surprisingly, it's not Edinburgh. Or indeed Arena or Middlesbrough. They did build a new bar complex at Arena, a welcome change from the lean-to beach bar thing they had previously. I wonder if they still charge a deposit for your tumbler? Or refuse to take Scottish bank notes? Here's what was said about these three: Arena Essex: The only track in the land without a fence, unfortunately they have very little else either. A cover on the home straight and the odd porta-cabin is all they have (sounds like Craighead Park). The complex is so large you could get lost for days (look out for Mark Thatcher). Edinburgh: Tigers' second home (we are there often enough) and one of the best dumps in the league. Has no atmosphere (unless the Tigers are there) and listen out for the fairest supporters in the league cheering opposition falls and booing their own riders if they don't win. Middlesbrough: The only track with it's own flyover (is that the reason they are sponsored by a taxi firm?). Main grandstand burnt down in 1985 so seats are scarce. Impromptu prayer meetings are occasionally held. If bored, can always run a book on whether the electric hare (D. Sumner) will leave the white line. At the time Poole were plying their trade in the NL, here's what they had to say: Poole: Will the stand have a roof, will it be safe or will it blow off? Arrive early since they have massive crowds. Another narrow track with little passing. No idea what all that stuff about the roof relates to - anyone know?

How would all that fit in with the current EL 'protected' heat formula?

Scunthorpe had long gone by 1990.

I see your angle but no, it's not Elfield Park. Here's what they had to say about MK: "If you can negotiate all the roundabouts and find Elfield Park (the locals still think they race at the Groveway) prepare yourself for a shock. Large mounds of dirt surround the track and terracing and lighting is non-existent. By the way, try and spot the local residents' houses (the ones that are complaining) over the busy dual carriageway. Good luck to T. Cheaney for the future."

The reviews were taken from a recently acquired copy of the 'Glasgow Tigers...Into the 80's' book. By strange coincidence I also took delivery of a load of Shawfield-era programmes amongst which were some fanzines from the early 90's. Unfortunately like a lot of these supporters' publications they tend to be written by the terminally self-absorbed and if Glasgow fans today think Edinburgh supporters are a bit smug, a bit arrogant, then they perhaps want to have a read at some of these. Anyway, there is a track review section in one of them and quite a few of the circuits still existed from 1979. 17 of the 18 NL tracks from 1990 were featured (they didn't have the temerity to review their own midden) but unlike the 79 reviews they're written with forked pen although I'm sure it seemed funny to the clique supporters that produced it. Unfortunately the descriptions all easily give away the track in question so there isn't much point in listing them all for a quiz. There is one exception however. Bearing in mind what you know about the 79 reviews, which track do you think was reviewed this time around with a simple 'Ha Ha'?

Well I was waiting to see if we had any more guesses but I hate to think of you suffering sleepless nights so... 1 Middlesbrough 2 Nottingham 3 Canterbury 4 Rye House 5 Edinburgh 6 Stoke 7 Mildenhall 8 Workington 9 Berwick 10 Milton Keynes 11 Newcastle 12 Crayford

Bert Harkins sometimes doubled-up as a shortbread tin. The sixties were not my era so I'll refrain from posting a list but from the Glasgow teams of the late 70's certainly till the mid-eighties I don't think any of the riders were full-time in speedway. Edit to add: come to think of it I don't think any riders outwith the BL were full-time.

#7 is indeed Mildenhall.