steve roberts

Two tracks I wish I had the opportunity of visiting!

Who could forget Garry 'Cassius' Middleton. A real character and one incident I recall is when he proceeded to argue with one 'Soldier Boy' (whatever happened to him?) after a second half incident at Cowley when he invited him onto the centre green so as to continue the 'debate'!

Saw Chris ride many.many times...and I have on DVD that incredible race during, I think, the 1981 World Team Cup Final (remember those?) where he passed two riders (one was Egon Muller if I recall) after being so far back from the pacemakers. A great race typical of Mort. A true legend!

The rule book has often been questionable and full of loopholes which the more astute Team Managers (the late Ian Thomas take a bow) been able to manipulate to their advantage.

I know it's not what the initial post intended but one mustn't forget Oxford (1939 and then 1949 to 2007)

...personally I like it when posts go off on a tangent. Often makes them more interesting!

Interesting that the alternative working title for the film 'Once a Jolly Swagman' was 'Maniacs on Wheels!'

...definately 1976 as I recognise Paul Gachet's leathers as he was injured (broken ankle) early in 1977 and missed the rest of the season which is often conveniently forgotten when people question 'The Rebels' winning the championship that year. Great memories!

Remember Eddie wearing a red full face helmet during 1973 for 'The Rebels' before he was transferred to King's Lynn. I guess that Briggo was one of the first although Terry Betts wore one before it really became the vogue. Saw a photo of Ivan Mauger wearing one with mirrors attached to the visor but it didn't really catch on. When full face helmets became the rage I don't recall seeing either of the Grahame brothers wearing one resisting the temptation...or Ole Olsen come to that!

I'm guessing the late seventies...shame because it was one way of identifying riders with distinctive masks but of course the full face helmets which became the vogue offered better protection. Always recall Anders Michanek's scarf which he used to pull up over his mouth and nose.

...my class mates couldn't begin to imagine what it was like travelling up to White City London from Oxford every Wednesday (sometimes Tuesdays) when many had never even been to London. By 1978 (last year of 'The Rebels') I was driving up there myself after passing my driving test.

...and was presented to the crowd whilst taking a ride on Danny Dunton's Rolls Royce!

Fascinating interview with Australia's Jim Airey in the latest 'Backtrack' edition. A ride at his peak who appeared to give it all away but at least I had the opportunity of seeing him ride during a rare appearance at Cowley in 1973.

If I remember Trevor Geer was the 'baddie' during the race sequence!

Just been watching Dirk Bogarde in 'The Blue Lamp' which of course finishes off at White City...scene of my youth following 'The Rebels'. Great memories!

Elvington Air Field, near York, has that issue and causes a nuisance to local residents.

Unfortunately Cowley would suffer the same issues if it ever re-opened for speedway in the future.

...Ice Hockey, to the best of my knowledge, is an exception to the rule regarding 'team sports' whereby the full 60 minutes are played (3 periods of 20 minutes). When the puck is not in play the clock stops if my memory serves having followed the sport extensively during the eighties.

...I have just lost a working colleague thru' cancer and he was in his early/middle thirties.

...unfortunately the same thing is happening at Cowley and when I once put the question to the then owners was told that it wasn't true. Last time I looked in at the stadium it was in a terrible state and despite all the good efforts I can't see the facility remaining for much longer.

Good old Kojak...remember him well!

...trouble is SCB has a fixation about ageism and raises the issue over and over again. Gets a bit tiresome after awhile.

...remember talking to the late Bernard Crapper about the times he would appear to 'rant and rave' at the referee whilst on the phone at the starting gate. He explained to me that often he was just passing the time of day with the referee but felt the need to liven up proceedings just to get the crowd excitable.

So sad!

Local derbies generally where once upon a time there were the likes of Oxford/Swindon/Reading, Wimbledon/Hackney/White City, Coventry/Leicester, King's Lynn/Ipswich, Belle Vue/Halifax, Boston/Peterborough, Poole/Exeter etc etc. Nothing quite built up an atmosphere like a local derby.