steve roberts

I enjoyed collecting programmes and had a vast selection of them (Britain, Europe and further afield). Wish that I had hung onto them now but due to re-location and lack of space that really wasn't a viable option.

The old Second Division produced a hatful of riders who went on to become internationals and/or heat leaders in the First Division joining a smattering of class riders from the old Provincial League. It was no accident that Britain/England ruled during the seventies but of course this became more diluted once certain influential entrepreneurs took control and the old Second Division became a training ground for foreign imports and the whole scene changed. Hence one of the reasons (amongst many) why domestic speedway is in the state that it now finds itself.

Just received my copies...fabulous publications! So much information packed into both volumes. A must for anyone interested in the statistical side of the sport.

One of my favourite unsung heroes was John Dews. He was allocated to Oxford in 1973 (as a replacement for Dave Hemus) and really struggled around Cowley initially. He eventually got to master Oxford and by 1975 carried a very respectable average of around six and a half points. His team riding with both Dag Lovaas and especially Richard Greer were a joy to watch.

I'm the same actually...and well into my fifties! However I'm not sure what teenagers and or twenty somethings want (at the risk of stereotyping) and it would be useful to receive some input (please don't keep quoting music!) and constructive advice and/or criticism if there are any of that age group out there? I'm sure the promoters would love to hear from you!

Widening my search riders like Ian Turner, Mike Lanham, Norman Storer, Roger Johns, Trevor Geer...all good dependable 'team' riders who are what league speedway is really all about. Okay we crave the 'stars' but without the middle order cum reserves team speedway just wouldn't be able to exist.

I'm really at a loss what the average teenager/20s year old person wants personally but I'm sure that someone out there will have some answers and/or helpful suggestions?

David Smart was a good middle order rider who rode for a succession of teams (Oxford included) and was often forced to move to other clubs purely because his average didn't fit (these sort of riders are always the ones that tend to suffer under points regimes). He became a successful and popular re-enactor of World War Two events (as did brother Kevin) but sadly took his own life (details were vague at the time).

I thought that Kevin Smart had an abundance of talent but injuries held him back. He was a revelation when riding for Oxford in 1982 & 83 and did himself proud whenever he was called upon when 'The Cheetahs' moved up into the British League. David, sadly, ended his life tragically. Gone but I'm sure not forgotten by those who knew him.

My unsung heroes would include the likes of Rick Timmo, Bernie Leigh (albeit one enforced year away from Reading) and Mike Keen, middle order riders who gave sterling service to just the one team.

Astonishing that I instigated this thread during November last year and we are no further forward despite all the shallow promises and excuses emanating from the present owners of the Abbey Stadium.

When I used to do shifts at the local Art Gallery the policy was for no photos. It was almost impossible to police what with cameras in mobile phones etc.

I didn't have any problems at Grass Track Meetings I attended within the last couple of years.

My comment wasn't questioning the matter of books but a general observation made by commentators regarding people's changing habits...which is a too simplistic outlook made with very little substance and/or knowledge of the real world.

Trouble is there's a culture whereby society tends to over generalise today and tarnish everybody of a certain generation with the same brush.

I also enjoy statistical related books (the sport is dictated to by statistics after all!) and am looking forward in receiving my 'History Of the British League' volumes. One of my treasured books is Peter Oakes' 'The Who's Who of World Speedway' but which unfortunately only covers up until the year 1975. However it's a great source of information. Also enjoyed the Tommy Jansson book which was translated into english some years ago. Tragic insight to a potentially great, but much missed, rider and personality.

The 'Speedway Star', 'Speedway Express' and 'Speedway Mail' were all required reading in my years following the sport. Each had their different agendas but it was 'The Star' that I used to look forward in receiving the most.

Of course the Americans of the 80s & 90s always seemed to have Nicknames...some quite bizarre! There was 'Boogolo' Schwartz, 'Jellyman' Moran, 'Miracle Worker' Moran, 'Rocket' Ron, 'Cowboy' Cook, 'Bullet' Hamill etc etc (did Penhall ever have a nickname?) And of course the best of the lot...'Five Flavours' Pfetzing!

Yes the Wiggy book is very good! Read the Carter book some time ago and was both enlightening and somewhat traumatic at the same time. Are they still available?

Yes I have Booey's and Len Silver's also. Great reads! Love my books and dream of the day when I can sit in my comfy leather chair sipping my favourite tipple in front of the fire in my purpose built library...that's when I can stop playing with my model railway!

...okay so I'm old fashioned and proud of it!

I thought that Johnnie Hoskins' Speedway Walkabout was a fabulous read. Should be re-printed in my opinion! Dave Morton's book was also an interesting insight of the sport. How about one form Frank Ebden? Always sought controversy!

I'm an avid collector of Speedway literature and/or books that discuss the sport in the past. One of the best recent books I purchased was Reg Fearman's which gave an interesting insight of the the sport during his tenure. Anything that's slightly controversial in content (John Berry's books were first class). including Malcolm Simmons' and Michael Lee's efforts...all great reads! I also purchased the story of Garry Middleton (Author Tony Webb) which again made for an interesting read. One prized book (when I eventually sourced it) was the 'Complete History of the British League' which covered the years between 1965 - 1990 (would be nice to have it updated) edited by Peter Oakes.

I've bought both books and they are excellent! Although I also have all the Backtrack numbers they have become rather dog eared as I tend to read them whilst in the bath!

Many thanks for that! Was always a mystery to me!