steve roberts

The only over Meredith I'm aware of is Duncan who rode at Crewe and Ellesmere Port during the middle seventies.

...I certainly hope so. Barry holds so many memories from that glorious era!

...missed out on this one unfortunately. Tried to get a copy but had sold out!

Sad news indeed. RIP

Really great! Just emphasises how speedway was viewed back in the seventies and early eighties. Terrestrial TV and major sponsors.

I think that's the reference. He died I believe in 2002?

Many thanks for the update! Regards

What is the situation regarding Cowley Stadium? Is there any positive news?

...or indeed Custom House which unfortunately I never had the chance to visit.

...looks like Sandor Levai in the photo in the photo as well?

As a 'City 'Rebel' fan I used to enjoy encounters between the two clubs. Two great stadiums lost for ever!

Some great images of an iconic historic stadium.

Terrible news even when we knew it was coming...sad day indeed!

...as usual makes for interesting reading. An interview with Mick Handley who rode for my team, Oxford, for many years and a more than interesting interview with SRA Secretary Colin Gear who talks about Kenny Carter at length and the so called 'Sunday People' scandal as well as the drugs issue when Hans Nielsen was very supportive in an attempt to introduce drug testing to the sport. A great read!

Great to read an interview with one of my favourite riders, Mike Sampson, in the latest edition of 'Backtrack' A very under-rated rider in my opinion but in my view was very instrumental in helping 'The Rebels' to league success in 1977. Won numerous team honours not only with White City but for Eastbourne and his home town team Exeter of which he had a love/hate relationship. He comes across as a very modest man but without riders like Mike speedway would have been the the poorer.

...strewth having not clapped eyes on a rule book for donkey's years the wording and definition of same is just as confusing!

Sad news indeed if it's true. Never saw Vaclav around the County Ground where he was apparently a sight to behold but saw him ride at many other venues.

...I personally used to dislike having Frank Ebdon in charge of a meeting as the race having just finished he immediately used to engage the 'two minute warning' for the next heat. It never gave one the chance to digest and discuss the race but I guess that there is a fine line between moving things along and blatant time wasting.

...I was the same when during the last three years or so of attending before re-locating. It was meeting up with friends to have a good chat but unfortunately those friends started to diminish as they lost interest in the sport or other commitments took up their time.

...yes I seem to remember that both Jimmy Nilsen and Richard Knight were owed money as well.

...I'm sure that it was in Eric Boocock's book? Garry was helping Eric whilst in Aussie and Eric exclaimed surprise when Garry produced a gun from his jacket saying "...if you have any problems with Airey tonight I'll blow him away!" Apparently Middleton didn't generally get along with his compatriots but had a real disliking of Jim Airey!

Hi Sid! I now wish that I had hung on to my programmes but sold them off (at a greatly reduced 'going rate') before relocating! Remember the meeting well and Cowley was packed to the rafters! Jan Mucha was the 'star turn' for Poland that afternoon I remember despite more illustrious team mates. Zenon Plech's famous 'high siding' crash (caught dramatically by Mike Patrick) and at least I got to see the future World Champion (albeit only as far as the first bend!) Unfortunately 'Cassius' Middleton was replaced although programmed to ride...perhaps he didn't relish a return to Cowley so soon after his departure in a complicated deal just prior to the commencement of the 1973 season...or more likely more than not he was participating in a meeting abroad that guaranteed a better financial return? Apparerently Garry disliked Jim Airey for reasons I don't know.

I remember Terry Lindon (Promoter at Berwick) doing a runner owing Kelvin Tatum thousands.

...but what to play is the dilemma faced with today's generation in mind. I have a very wide musical taste and I do recall when watching Ice Hockey that the music was very upbeat. I remember when Nigel Wagstaff was the promoter at Cowley each rider had a themed piece of music played as they were introduced...never really caught on and much of it was instantly forgettable. During the period when Laurence Rogers was the announcer at Cowley (groan!), as well as at Cradley, the heat result was announced with a particular piece of music depending on the outcome...it got very repetitive. When Simon Wigg staged his farewell meeting at Cowley his selection of music was very loud and heavy...unfortunately that caused problems with the local residents and the promoters were warned of the consequences and if it was to reoccur that action would be taken by the local authorities...in fact I seem to remember Sunday meetings at Cowley were put in jeopardy because of the loud music. Sure that it was Reading during their time at Tilehurst who were unable to play music because there was an old people's home nearby and Poole having issues with the local hospital? What was quite effective, in my view, during the early days of 'The Rebels' at Wood Lane was that the winner of the race had a spot light focused upon him as he returned to the pits with appropriate commentary. I seem to remember Dave Lanning doing a live commentary during his spell at Plough Lane whilst the race was in progress and Peter York used to pass comment during the last few yards at Cowley...if that's your thing.

...call me an old fuddy duddy (and plenty do!) and having no understanding of what appeals to youngsters but when I went to speedway the music played was often the latest chart music or do the younger generation today no longer listen to that type of music or do the majority of staging tracks play music from the past?