steve roberts

I recall eavesdropping on a discussion between John and a group of Oxford fans at Cowley and he seemed to be quite happy engaging with them and they all shook hands when they went their seperate ways.

Thanks for clarifying Rob!

...which is what I would personally be interested in. I've also read Ian Thomas' book and it would be fair to say that neither regarded each other with much warmth to say the least!

That's interesting...never managed to find anyone who has heard of speedway in York so I gave up bringing the subject up!

I certainly don't bother mentioning speedway where I live (York) but I have to say working within the tourist industry I do meet people from around the country and the number of times people say that they used to go.

I also recall Ole Olsen's 'Master of Speedway' Grand Prix version which, if I remember, was over four rounds although there was no round held in Britain.

I seem to remember Olsen being interviewed regarding the helmet colour and saying that the race should have been re-run (?) and that an action replay clearly showed that it was his own helmet colour that had caused his bike to stop?

Yes I'd forgotten it was over five rounds. Remember the first Grand Final at White City when Ole Olsen ground to halt in one race due to his own helmet colour getting caught up in his chain...and Gordon Kennett riding some superlative races finishing second overal in the competition. I seem to recall that the 'World of Sport' cameras were present to catch the action?

Yes the points scored (graded 1-10) from three qualifying meetings were carried over into the Grand Final where the winner of that meeting scored 50 if I recall?)

He actually co-promoted at Cowley (1990) during the last years of Northern Sports if I recall although that period was obviously after the supposed new 'directive' under discussion. I remember that he and John Berry were to be the 'dream team' with Peter on the commercial side of operations until John resigned and Peter wss left to fight his corner which proved unviable in the end due to the usual indecison of the BSPA (and split between the two leagues at the time) which, apparently, continues to this day.

I seem to recall a situation when Peter York had similar problems when he took on a similar position when certain members of the BSPA caused issues making his tenure short lived.

If I recall the Berger Grand Prix was a stream-lined version of the originally successful Daily Mirror Grand Prix whereby the first winner in 1976 was Peter Collins.

I would agree that it was a missed opportunity but having read John's side of the story in his book I would be interested in reading an in depth analysis as to why events took a turn and the objections and/or difficulties created by the then members of the BSPA forcing John to resign within days of accepting the post. I can imagine that one promoter (no longer with us) in particular would have had great reservations and/or objections if he had still been promoting back then!

Interesting to read one time Motor Cycle News reporter Andrew Edwards suggesting that John Berry's resignation as Director of Speedway was an "opportunity lost. John could have moved speedway up to another level" It's a question I intend putting to Martin Rogers and would be interesting in reading his thoughts on the matter. On another matter in the same edition Troy Pratt talks about his role in Eastenders. How speedway could do with that sort of publcity now...prime time storyline on BBC1!

Couldn't agree more. Riders would regularly remain with the same club which would develop a raport between riders and the fans.

Good luck with the meeting tomorrow (?) night. Looking forward in reading a report from Robert Peasley who I'm sure will be attending?

Absolutely...Oxford benefitted with the likes of Ballard, Kennett, Davis, Greer, Gachet, Geer etc. The early role of the Second Division was to produce talent who would progress to the upper...unfortunately the system began to deteriorate in time when the leagues became somewhat independant of each other.

Certainly at Oxford during the early seventies "The Rebels' utilised the talents of Eastbourne and Peterborough (sister tracks) to good effect when the occasion demanded.

I'm intrigued by this character having obviously not seen him ride...any images available?

There was an interesting interview with Barry in a recent edition of 'Backtrack'.

Hans openly discussed his dislike of Ebdon in his book "Main Dane".

...and Sam admitted that he was lucky in his book "Breaking the Limits".

...and caused all sorts of problems when they were introduced with riders refusing to ride on occasions. Recall the Spring Classic involving Ole Olsen being particularly contentious.

I seem to recall that a survey amongst fans was carried out at Cowley many years ago now...nothing came of it however! One time Oxford Promoter, Steve Purchase, used to walk around the terraces making him self available for comments which was admirable. He bacame very dis-illusioned about the sport I remember. Nice bloke!

Personally that's my opinion regarding Cowley Stadium. Who's likely to step on board to re-introduce speedway at the site (never mind all the work and expense that would be required to bring the stadium up to some sort of acceptable standard) which is why, despite all the good intentions, I feel re-develpment of the site will be the only course of action much to my horror having spent over thirty years following the 'Rebels' and "Cheetahs'.