HertsRacer

Although racing is listed to have taken place at both St Annes Road Greyhound Stadium and Highfield Road Sports Ground, Blackpool in 1929, there is little or no evidence to suggest that it actually did. The only track operating in Glasgow that year was the White City Stadium. Portsmouth held meetings at The Wessex Stadium, Copnor Gardens.

Seem to remember Sheffield rider Arnold Haley had something to do with it. If you look on the John Somerville Photo Collection at http://www.skidmarks1928.com and go to "Speedway Stadia mainly by John Jarvis", and scroll down to Wombwell there are some pictures of 1960's action. Bit more info found. Promoters were J.C.Ward and P.A.Hattersley. Frank Varey built and loaned a bike for use. First session in 1964 was on 7th June and last 1st November. Track reopened following year on 7th March. Riders known to have visited track that year included Ray Wilson, Eric Boocock, Stan Holey and Alan Jay.

Andy, Can't get the link to open.

Right. The Solihull Barons evolved into Solihull Blaze before the start of the 1996–97 season, and in May 2000, the club announced that they would be heading to a new 3,600-seater stadium in Coventry for the 2000–01 season renaming themselves "Coventry Blaze" in the process. The Solihull Barons reformed in 2005 and still play today.

The team was formerly the Solihull Blaze before they moved to Coventry, and kept the nickname.

I see that Brandon Estates have this morning dismissed rumours about the stadium and car park being turned into a car lot.

When was this ?

Aren't the local council considering something similar at Oxford?

Both my local Tesco's and Sainsbury's have always sold Speedway Star.

Well spotted, must remember to read what I've written before hitting post. LOL.

And up to this season Tai represented Team GB. Bale could quit international football tomorrow and would still be treated as a hero by us Welsh supporters for all he has achieved.

Couldn't agree with you more. You don't see the Welsh slagging off Garth Bale because he doesn't play for Swansea, Cardiff or Newport County.

He expected both to run.

Indeed. In Speedway Star Buster Chapman says that there has been difficulties establishing the levels of debt at both Belle Vue and Leicester and admits that developments are further forward at BV. He also says that he hopes for positive news re Leicester in January and would be shocked if Belle Vue or Leicester didn't run next year. Lots going on in the background. Be patient.

Think everybody needs to say a huge thank you to Cllr Michael Stokes. Without his efforts there would almost certainly have been no speedway at Brandon next year.

I believe local MP Mark Pawsey is a speedway fan. Time for him to get involved and start banging a few heads together until they sort out this mess.

Out of interest have the local council who seemed to play a major role in getting the lease on the stadium extended made any comment about whats going on? Are they in a position to help? Really hope everything turns out ok for the fans.

There was suppose to have been a latest update of the situation tonight on Radio CWR between 6-7pm, but apparently nothing was mentioned. Still negotiating?

According to the Save Coventry Speedway Facebook site, in tonight's Coventry Telegraph it states that all fixtures and fittings in Brandon Stadium belong to the stock car promoters, so possibly a problem between them and Mick Horton.

Is anybody sure that Swansea Greyhound Stadium still exists?. From the pictures I have seen of it there is just a field with the derelict remains of some buildings.

Poole's Gordon Guasco and Garry Middleton of Hackney were non riding reserves for the meeting.

Both Speedway Researcher and Robert Bamford's book Speedway - The Pre War Years list there being meetings at both tracks in 1929, but no details. Adrian Pavey's book Speedway in the North West gives a little more information. Although the local press had seemingly stopped reporting on speedway, Adrian says there is evidence of at least one meeting at Highfield Road on 31st May. That any speedway took place at the Greyhound Stadium however appears to be based on rumour rather that fact. Also in 1929 there was an application from Blackpool to join a proposed second division of the EDTL, but of course nothing came of it.

Agreed, Around this time Carntyne Greyhound Stadium staged speedway in 1928 and 1930, Celtic Park in 1928 and the Nelson Athletic Grounds in 1928 and 1932, but White City appears to be the only track operating.in 1929.

There were two tracks in Blackpool in 1929, firstly at The Highfield Road Sports Ground and secondly at The Greyhound Stadium in St Annes Road. Also you can add Barnet, Droylesden, Kettering, Mansfield and Doncaster (York Road) to your list of non-league tracks.