steve roberts

Did the Sanderson Family own the stadiums at West Ham, Coventry and Leicester or was it a consortium of people?

...only from a certain few surely?

...unfortunately doesn't edit out the analysis data and graphics and constant different camera angles showing the same shot on goal about ten times or snooker shot the same!

...the main reason I no longer watch any sport on TV. The constant drivel, over analysing and shouting that now appears to be the norm.

Isn't the Olympique Meeting held at Wolves a Handicap Meeting? It was during my time therefore a one off format which obviously makes the racing more unpredictable. Should speedway, therefore, be looking at (re)introducing handicap racing generally if the format encourages passing, unpredictability, and excitement to try and entice new fans thru' the gate?

Must get my copy. Will always remember Bob's contribution as a 'Rebel' when he rode for Oxford.

John Berry did but when he stood in becoming 'Speedway's First Chief Executive' he later withdrew because he felt that he wouldn't get the backing of the BL Management Committee and it's members.

He rode at Oxford in their junior team...if that counts!

He tried to force thru' the sale of Oxford Stadium in 1975/76 also until the SOS committee stepped in!

Remember watching the Aussies take on Poland at Cowley in front of one of the biggest crowds at Oxford!

Thanks for the clarification...I think! Interesting to get Martin Rogers' definitive version of events, however, as regards the sale of Blackbird Road although he has been less than complimentary when quoted in 'Backtrack'!

According to an article in the 'Classic' Magazine published recently that "...in 2003 the Ochiltrees sold the stadium to businessman Avtar Sandhu". Perhaps some sort of clarification would be welcome?

...but aren't we discussing the closure of Blackbird Road in 1983 when Midland Sports Stadiums were the owners and the Managing Director then was Charles Ochiltree?

Unfortunately I never got to see Sunderland ride (although my family on my mother's side is from that area). I've checked out the stadium as I passed by a couple of years ago however.

But wasn't he Managing Director of Midland Sports Stadiums and therefore ultimately responsible?

Martin has talked extensively about this episode in recent editions of the 'Backtrack' magazine. Bob Dugard for what he achieved at Eastbourne bringing on English talent together with Arthur Nutley.

I remember when Nigel Wagstaff acquired the rights of Oxford Speedway he wasn't able to use the moniker "Cheetahs" by the outgoing promotion...which I thought very odd at the time! We ended up with that awful "Silver Machine" nickname!

John Berry was someone I admired greatly and how speedway could do with someone like him now.

...those were the days!

Steady on old chap...that's my ancestral home!

Ah! Good old rider control...Oxford never really benefited from it during my days following the sport!

Again, I remember, the BSPA Cup or some such tournament that ran towards the back end of myself attending speedway and Oxford were pitted against Swindon, the Isle of Wight and Reading (?) without their heat leaders and it led to confusion and I think only lasted the one year, Having not been to speedway for many a year I'm not familiar with the comparative strengths within either league but I'm sure that something could be done to even things up a bit. Of course back in the seventies there was the Inter League Cup which threw up the odd surprise like Workington beating both Ipswich and King's Lynn but generally faltered thru' lack of interest and/or commitment.

Yes I now recall that being the case however Oxford competed, if I remember, during the 1979 competition with George Hunter, Les Rumsey (two of the highest placed riders in the averages at the time), Pip Lamb and Carl Askew...but were seriously over turned during the away legs but as you suggest it was very different then.

..again I recall this was the case in 1979/80 when a team from the lower league would take on three teams from the upper league. It didn't prove successful, if I recall, and Oxford riding in the National League in those days with a strong top four were generally hammered!

Seem to recall that in 1979 (?) Cup matches were run over 16 or even 18 heats without the use of guests or the R/R facility? I actually rode a 250cc Honda bike at one of Olle Nygren's Training Schools in between riding the standard 2 valve JAWA 500cc.