steve roberts

Tremendous atmosphere...remember it well and although I went to many other World Finals around Europe it was never the same. When Wembley no longer became a speedway venue I feel that was start of the decline of the sport although there were many other factors also.

Remember when Ronnie Correy rode 'thru' Nigel De'ath where there was no gap causing Nigel to crash thus picking up an injury. Nigel was just starting to make head way after a sometimes tough baptism in 1986 and the injury set him back.

Not counting World Finals (the 1981 World Final at Wembley was the meeting I attended with the highest number of people of any meeting I went to) but the Australia vs. Poland Daily Mirror Tournament meeting at Cowley in 1973 was packed to the rafters I recall. A capacity of 10,000 has often been quoted...not sure how accurate that figure is but it seemed like it at the time! Probably the best supported meeting at Cowley in my life time but Dad talks of crowds somewhat larger during Oxford's formative years and if you weren't inside the stadium by 6pm then you could forget it!

...with a Briggo sticker placed on one of his bum cheeks if I recall?

...how about the occasion that Garry Middleton pulled a gun on him in the pits at Dudley Wood?

Tuesdays were tried with an objection raised by Crayford but at the end of the day just not enough people went to Wood Lane despite an attractive team.

Also Ipswich on Thursdays, White City Wednesdays and Tuesdays, Bristol on Fridays and King's Lynn on Saturdays.

If I remember PC was denied the chance to compete in the 1981 WC because he wasn't competing in Britain that year...despite all that he had achieved previously representing his country!

Today's generation don't know how lucky they are. Back then news wasn't so forthcoming and readily available as it is now and to check a result you either had to tune into Radio Luxembourg or pick up the morning paper hoping that the results were covered. 'The Star' was the bible and filled in all the details of the last week and any serious fan couldn't do without it.

He had been allocated to Oxford for the 1975 season but had decided to retire and moved into management at Belle Vue...we eventually got Dag Lovaas instead after the fiasco of the Ole Olsen affair who was also allocated to Cowley prior to the commencement of that season. In fact I think we used a facility for him at Coventry when also John Davis guested for himself...could only happen in speedway. Actually it used to annoy me that Oxford used to ride at Coventry at the start of a season in an official fixture before some teams had been finalised...at least we did return in the KO Cup later in the year and manage to turn 'The Bees' over good and proper!

Thanks for confirming Sid! I do recall that when White City ran a few Tuesday nights the news in 'The Star' was almost a week old when I used to buy it at Wood Lane!

Long time ago now but I think that I used to get 'The Star' on a Wednesday and 'The Mail' on a Thursday?

I think that Eric caught his right arm along the top of the fence and caught a post?

Went to Newport on a couple of occasions...once when Oxford were hammered and again when Belle Vue visited in 1975 when Alan Wilkinson was the most productive exponent on that particular occasion. PC made it clear it was never his favourite track and in fact faked illness, if I recall, when he missed the Aces trip there in 1976 after he heard the news of Tommy Jansson's death the night before.

Funny but I never thought that Oxford had much banking until I stood on the centre green...however there used to be a line up towards the fence (pits bend if I recall) that suffered with an adverse camber and sometimes caught riders out. However Dag Lovaas perfected the art of sweeping around opponents on that same bend many a time just edging his back wheel at the point of no return...not what this particular thread initiated but what the heck!

Ivor Brown was the rider that Ivan Mauger later admitted he had a hatred for during their clashes in the old Provincial League. One such challenge involving the two aforementioned riders took place at Cowley in 1963 (deciding leg?) in which Peter recorded a race time of 63 seconds which remained the track record until, I believe, 1973 when the track was shortened (354 yards to 350 yards)

Remember Ron Henderson...he became a social worker I recall.

I'm impressed Sid with your knowledge! Got a feeling that Rod Hunter won the lottery in Aussie when he finished and became a property developer?

I attended the opening meeting at White City in 1976 and saw Tommy ride in two tremendous races with Gordon Kennett. Livened up what was a rather mediocre meeting but in hindsight rather poignant.

Super thread...what this forum should be about!

I would have been there also...although I seemed to be at Cradley every other week during the middle eighties when Oxford seemed to be there on a regular basis...and winning more often than not! What was especially pleasing was winning the League Cup fixture at Dudley Wood in 1985 which was televised by ATV. One to saviour and I have it on DVD too!

I have this on DVD.

Either Bobby or Alan Emerson? Newcastle also operated R/R in a crucial match at Mildenhall (I was there) when, if I recall, both Owen and Hunter again took seven rides a piece.

Didn't like the Newport jacket with a large 'N' motive!

Didn't Mike sign for 'The Eagles' in 1974?