steve roberts

Adi Funk who rode for King's Lynn and Leicester...and although a multiple (?) National Champion failed at both teams and I, personally, was surprised at his lack of expertise negotiating Wood Lane on a number of visits.

Sandor Levai. A great character!

I would base my assessment on those who competed within the BL with some success and Henny would come out top easily. First rider to register a 21 point maximum in the British League. Saw him ride during the 1987 World Final (Amsterdam) but was well past his best by then and was well out of place with his foot forward style. Ruddy showed promise at Wimbledon before, I believe, an injury curtailed his career. Theo rode a number of years at Edinburgh (?) but I never saw him (I think). Was aware of Henk Steman Jnr who rode for Oxford (my team) and later Bristol but was generally disappointing.

Great post! Thankfully I saw Ronnie in his last full year (1972) and even then could see the talent that was Ronnie. Great rider!

That is very sad news. Remember first watching him at Cowley when Leicester visited. RIP

I couldn't even begin to come up with a top ever five...the sport has changed dramatically since it's inception and nigh difficult to compare different eras. If based opon World Championship wins...not the best basis in my view...I suppose it has to be... 1. Ivan Mauger 2. Tony Rickardsson 3. Ove Fundin 4. Barru Briggs 5. Hans Nielsen but then again...

Blimey forgotten Howard Cole!

Yes Ulf rode for Cradley and Oxford...could have achieved more in Britain but army/family commitments dictated otherwise.

...married a friend of my mum's!

I'm guessing that Dai Evans (One time Crewe skipper) was Welsh?

1. Freddie Williams 2. Eric Williams 3. Ian Willimas 4. Owen Owen aka 'Taffy' 5. Bryan Woodward

...like Errol Flynn born in Tasmania if I recall?!

'Hurri-Ken' was one of my favourites at Cowley before he subsequently moved to Scunthorpe in 1973.

Yes in 1978 and 1979 and his team riding skills were second to none...a very classy rider.

Forgotten George Hunter...definitely top five material and you're probably right with both Tommy Miller and Ron Johnson.

1. Ken McKinlay 2. Jimmy McMillan 3. Bobby Beaton 4. Kenny McKinna 5. Bert Harkins ...or is it? I can think of the Templeton Brothers, Brian Collins, Kevin Little, Charlie McKinna, Colin Caffrey...now I'm struggling! Sure there are some 'Bravehearts' out there who know better?

My fault really...was trying to narrow the choice!

1. Ivan Mauger 2. Barry Briggs 3. Ronnie Moore 4. Geoff Mardon ...now it gets more difficult. 5. Larry Ross or Mitch Shirra (athough born Aussie) or Bob Andrews (although born British)...not sure who I would pick as number five on the list!

Remember watching Robert riding for Eastbourne during the eighties. Didn't know that. Very sad.

Shawn Venables (?) plus a Canadian (Ford?) who rode for Weymouth back in the seventies.

Lionel Van Pragg Bluey Wilkinson Jack Young Phil Crump Jason Crump ...and Billy Sanders very, very close behind! Obviously forgetting Vic Duggan who was almost unbeatable one year! Very similar to the American thread...pre & post war inclusions. Very difficult to compare if not impossible!

Very different to the other thread as the era under discussion here covers riders who competed pre-war right up to the present date. I would, therefore, find it difficult naming a top five based upon the years involved and especially difficult considering that the sport was very different pre-war but here goes... 1. Sprouts Elder 2. Jack Milne 3. Cordy Milne 4. Scott Autrey 5. Bruce Penhall But then again...?

Very much so Sid...and many fans were disappointed that he was unable to return in 1973 (he did, however, put in some brief appearances for Poole in 1974)

I was attempting to narrow it down to the modern BL (International Record included) era discounting the pioneering years (covered in another thread) and those Americans who didn't ride in Britain like Mike Bast for example.

1. Bruce Penhall 2. Scott Autrey 3. Kelly Moran 4. Shawn Moran 5. Sam Ermolenko Difficult one with the likes of Dennis Sigalos, Bobby Schwartz, John Cook and Ron Preston...and not forgetting Steve 'The Heave' Gresham!!!!