steve roberts

I work within the tourim industry and all sorts of incentives have been adopted in an attempt to generate more income. Schemes such as allowing those aged 15 and under free entry (as long as with a paying adult) but, alas, it hasn't worked...infact the scheme is about to be dropped due to lost revenue. Where I work the admission fee is constantly being reviewed and, dare I say, increases are the result to help off-set the loses. Living in York there is so much competion as regards attractions and it's a constant juggle to try and encourage visitors who only have so much to spend. Family tickets, free entry for twelve months (which is more often than not a trade off...only those living relatively locally are able to utilise the scheme) as well as other initiatives but they are continually under constant review and invariably admission prices are raised as a result.

Surely no different than any other business venture whereby the whole operation is owned by a single company running and managing every aspect of its business as was the case with Northern Sports? Unfortunately it was their Garden Centre empire that collapsed which caused the eventual sale of Cowley Stadium...the speedway side of the business was ticking along quite nicely before the pay restraint caused issues.

Must have a chat to Ian when I next see him when visiting "Mouseman of Kilburn'. We more often than not have a chat about speedway and he enjoys the fact that someone engages with him about speedway. He recalls how sad that Chris Pusey died whilst still relatively young...although he was the last person who should have run a pub!

When Cowley was promoted and owned by Northern Sports the bar and catering takings were all part of the deal (as well as the sponsorship from local brewery 'Halls') but all this was lost when the promotion operated under different landlords when Northern Sports went into receivership.

If I recall it was 1996 although they had been banned from the British League for a year but, as everything, got overturned and hence costs spiralled even more out of control.

I recall that the Oxford promotion received nothing from the bar takings during its last years of operation.

Just like Cowley.

I was never sure at which market speedway being on SKY was aimed at...was it to attract new supporters and/or sponsorship or for the benefit of those already attending? Unfortunately it achieved neither for reasons that have been discussed many times over the superseding years.

...and, of course, the mass media covers football to a saturation level which obviously adds to the appeal which encourages the masses to endorse the game.

Difficult to believe that Paul died thirty years ago (4th July). I remember him riding for Oxford 'Cubs' whilst at Cowley. Recall his dad mechanicing for him. Forever remembered.

...with, of course, the support of speedway's own Dave Lanning!

Remember it well on my first visit to the County Ground!

If I recall, as a matter of interest, when I first went to Cowley aged 12 in 1972 the admission charge was 30p (6 shillings) for those under a certain age. The programme was 8p.

A long distance from York I'm afraid.

Apparently Gordon Kennett will be Team Manager of an Oxford representative side due to race on the Island. Good luck and well done the Promoters for organising such a meeting!

Sounds interesting and good luck!

Couldn't agree more...the simpler the design the better.

Great download again...some strange designs that I had forgotten about however!

Same happening in York.

There apparently was some tension between Gresham and Kennett. I recall Gresham riding hard under Gordon during White City's visit and Kennett falling and was excluded but was clearly the fault of Steve. The tension may have started back in 1975 when Steve rode for Newport and on a visit to Cowley clearly rode thru' Gordon and prompted Promoter Bob Dugard to leap the fence pushing me aside to attend to the riders in what was a pretty alarming crash. I did put the question to Steve via Facebook some years ago regarding a possible vendetta between the two but he brushed it off saying that Gordon was one of the stars during that era and was a tough competitor and they were there to be beaten.

I recall the old Belle Vue at Hyde Road had a self imposed curfew to end the racing at a certain time so as people would then spend their money at the adjacent Fun Fair!

I don't recall see any at Cowley but I may have missed them...but on my travels around the country I don't remember seeing many strategically placed.

I don't really recall many advance notices regarding the six heat stipulation prior to entering stadiums after paying my entrance fee. It was only obvious when buying a programme once inside that very often one was aware of the ruling. To those regular fans it was obviously well known but to newcomers on potentially their first visit not really acceptable.

Think you are right as regards Sunday Grandstand.

Think you are right as regards Sunday Grandstand.