steve roberts

...he wasn't adversed to getting involved in off-track "scuffles" either as Ian Thomas and Barry Briggs would testify!

Ivan Mauger was another...never bothered him. Jack "The Villain" Millen would go out of his way to be booed...he saw himself an "entertainer" giving the public what they wanted.

There was an interesting interview with Steve Gresham in "Backtrack" a few years back. He was a bosom pal of Scott Autrey...like chalk and cheese in personalities one would have thought?

...actually I think if Martin had moved to Swindon the bigger track would have improved him and supporters do make a habit of cheering on "villains" when they appear for your team. There was no bigger "villain" than Steve Gresham when he visited Blunsden in opposition but soon became a "hero" when he signed for the "Budgies!" Incidently I also think that Gordon Kennett should have joined Swindon after the closure of White City instead of returning to Eastbourne but he was well looked after by the aforementioned Bob Dugard and felt comfortable riding for him.

...I guess hat he was heavily influenced by father Bob who was very headstrong but always remained loyal to his chargers.

Yes there were a few "ding-dongs" down the years! Mentioning Martin Dugard I recall the time he dragged Brian Karger off his bike after a coming together! Personally I felt that Martin under-achieved...he had so much talent on a bike and should have toured "Aussie" at least the once which tended to bring riders on which is something that Eastbourne legend Gordon Kennett also mentioned. Martin shouldn't have returned to Arlington when he left Oxford in my opinion but should have seeked a move to larger track to develop further as a rider.

...they were great days together with the local derbies with those "Berks" down the road at Reading!

...more complex than enigma!

Blimey...that's a hard one!

Crumbs is it really a year? Wasn't my type of commentator but was obviously instrumental in helping raise the sport's profile.

Does France have a speedway league? I recall Phillipe Berge riding for Oxford but I don't think that apeedway in France exists to any great degree?

Blimey...that takes me back!

We.ve all been there I'm sure...travelling to a track only to find that the meeting has been cancellled. I've lost count the number of times I've made a journey in the past and have the meeting postponed at the last minute. However we didn't have the luxury of mobile phones etc in those days to keep us informed whilst making the journey. Speedway fans have always been subjected to poor customer relations and I always recall the "six heat" clause whereby if a meeting ran to that length and was then postponed you didn't get your money back...I'm convinced that it could have been challenged?

...could have been scripted from that famous episode of "Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?"

Must watch this!

Yes I remember that also!

Spotted a very young Terry Betts!

...and the music was better back then!

....I recall years ago when some riders were using a spray to soften their tyres?

First time I saw Bobby ride was at Cowley in 1972 when he had an almighty crash and many thought the worse...he was riding again the folllowing night!

Personally I think the media often doesn't help...stories abound regarding unsafe streets and it can give the impression that one is vulnerable when stepping outside your front door rather than allowing a bit of common sense to put things into some sort or perspective. I grew up on Blackbird Leys and had great childhood/teenage years but the local press would always look for stories to put the Estate down. My mother was a local councillor and was often having to take issue with the local press for being disproportionate with the facts...especially over the infamous "joy riding" episode that achieved national notoriety.

Did he pay to get in? Okay I'm being sarcastic following the "uproar" on the PC book site!

...okay the meeting had started at Cowley (1975) when a snow storm caused the Cradley team to walk out handing Oxford a whitewash win. John Boulger was given the name by the Oxford faithfull as "Snowflake!"

I remember family holidays on the south coast during the seventies and it was always an issue visiting Poole where they wouldn't open the gates until quite late much to our frustration.

...reminds one of the days when some riders added nitro to their fuel and was quite common apparently before it was made illegal.