steve roberts

Perhaps we should start a new thread...Who was the best Team Manager? Remember when Bob Radford became General Manager at Oxford in 1974 and left during the season! If I remember it all stemmed from the time that he advised Gordon Kennett not to make the trip to Cowley for a British League Bank Holiday Meeting against rivals Swindon because the forecast was bleak. However the meeting went ahead without Gordon (I think Alan Johns deputised?) and 'The Rebels' lost to arch rivals 'The Budgies'! Whenever Bob Radford comments about Oxford there is always a certain amount of bitterness...but he never really fitted in at Cowley in my opinion and it wasn't a surprise that he moved on (a view echoed by the Promoters at the time).

Yes but it's fun though isn't it!

Steve 'Eccles' Holden - Ex Stoke and Oxford rider. Used to live in a caravan at the back of the pits at Oxford. Quite a character. He occasionally went round to my grandmother's for the occasional meal. If I recall he used to hang out with the likes of Peter Collins and the Morton brothers when they were all quite young. He just disappeared off the scene not long after joining Oxford after showing plenty of promise the previous year (1975) at Stoke. Sadly no longer with us.

Continuity was lost and tracks had to juggle their fixtures to fit around the GPs.

Remember when he had a heated argument with Garry Middleton at Cowley in 1972 and 'Cassius' invited him over to continue the 'discussion!' It all revolved around the Second Half Final (bring back second halves) in which Garry was the last man standing after Ted Hubbard had taken out Ray Wilson much to the annoyance of said 'Soldier Boy!' This all happened next to me much to my amusement!

Bring back 'Soldier Boy!' He certainly used to stir things up!

Agree with most of those points. I would add, also, when the two leagues went their separate ways.

Yes Sid! Crumbs! Richie Caulwell...there's a blast from the past! If I recall he was primarily a grasstracker who tried speedway. Quite spectacular to watch but drifted away from the sport.

Remember him riding for Oxford in 1977. RIP

The loss of a speedway in London.

Can't believe that it was four years ago! RIP

First saw Michael Lee ride in exhibition rides as a 15 year old against Colin Richardson at Cowley in 1974. His debut season riding for Boston and doubling up with King's Lynn in 1975 soon established him as one to watch. Saw quite a bit of him at White City in 1976 and Michael was soon challenging Terry Betts as the number one at King's Lynn. Saw his international debut, again at White City, in 1977 riding for England against the Rest of the World (there were no other worthy teams who could challenge England in those days...how times have changed!) and he rode exceptionally well winning many of his points from behind.

Phil Herne - Top rider at Birmingham in 1974 (topped the averages in the New National League) and was expected to move up with Ipswich but signed for Newport instead. Starred at Somerton Park and did well at Bristol in 1977 but went back to Birmingham for the 1978 season. Sort of went downhill from then finishing his career at Swindon in 1983 (?) He had two sons, Lee can't remember the other's name, who both rode briefly. Bo Petersen - Achieved a high average at Hackney and for a tall rider had a super style. Won many races from the back but should have achieved more. A move to Swindon proved productive but he retired from Britain before resurfacing at Arena Essex in the lower league and proved an inspired choice. I recall Malcolm Simmons as co-promoter of King's Lynn signed Bo but was disappointed with his performances for 'The Stars'.

It was a privilege watching George during his two seasons at Cowley (1978 & 79) His team riding skills were second to none. Another rider, alas, no longer with us. As a White City fan Barry will always be regarded of one of 'our' heroes! I believe that Bob Dugard made every tentative enquiries wanting to know if Barry was available for transfer? Or it may have been just a publicity stunt! Garry Middleton - My first hero. Could have gone much further in the sport but one got the impression that his mind was often on other business ventures and he didn't give speedway his fullest attention. Tony Webb's book gave a great insight to his character and personality.

Yes Sid I also went to the Mike Keen Meeting. Dag was majestic and recorded a 15 point maximum! Super performance. Only rode in one World Final unfortunately but a classy act nevertheless. Felt sorry for Mike because he was told that if the meeting didn't go ahead there wasn't a suitable alternative date to run. The weather was shocking...all the more surprising considering the blistering 76 summer!

Rob, Joe was quoted as saying in an interview made in 2004 regarding joining Hull: "It was the worst thing I ever did. It held me back so much. The track was in a terrible state...If I had my time again I wouldn't have gone there. I took a long time to settle..." Dag Lovaas - One of my favourites (as was brother Ulf) who got his long desired wish to join Oxford in 1975. Unfortunately due to the uncertainty over the future of Cowley Stadium the team moved to White City and Dag never settled there. He was still riding a JAP engine and it didn't suited the vast Wood Lane circuit. Also a crash with Trevor Hedge seriously effected his confidence and he decided to hang up his leathers at the end of the 1976 season. Still one of the best Norwegians to have graced the British League. No one was better than Dag when the track was wet. Apparently he used to practice on frozen lakes back home.

I thought that Mark Courtney had a really classy style but felt that he just wasn't professional enough. Should have gone much further. Joe Owen, in my opinion and he's questioned same, shouldn't have ridden for Hull (although it was an obvious move due to the promotional tie up) He would have been better plying his trade at a more conventional track. Torbjorn Harrysson - Never saw him ride but apparently a very spectacular performer whose career ended due to serious injury. There was a story that Oxford were about to sign him once but I felt that was a Dave Lanning publicity stunt personally!

I would agree. I have nothing but admiration for what Ivan achieved. He started with nothing and thru' sheer dedication and hard work achieved the ultimate to become the best ever speedway rider! I recently re-read his first autobiography 'Triple Crown Plus' and is an amazing rags to riches story. Barry Thomas - another rider who showed potential but never quite realised it...another great entertainer however!

By the way Wiseguy...your profile picture. My uncle took that picture of Ivan Mauger at Oxford in 1975! He was the track photographer in those days.

I also liked Paul Woods. A good stylist who, again, should have gone further in the sport. His move to King's Lynn (bit like Gordon Kennett before him) seemed to effect his confidence and he soon dropped back down into the National League with, I think, Rye House? Eastbourne excelled with regards finding talent. Other than the obvious there were the likes of Steve Naylor and Colin Ackroyd...who was coming on quite nicely at Cowley then ended up at Reading and disappeared from the scene. I saw a lot of action at Arlington as it was Oxford's and. later, White City's sister track. Good memories of the place!

Thanks Sid, didn't realise that he had held the County Ground track record at one time. He used to be quite scary round Cowley riding close up to the fence so I'm not surprised that he excelled down at Exeter!

Remember John Barker as a junior at Eastbourne and riding for Oxford in 1979. He was a bit wild but if I recall the Swindon promotion signed him up and loaned him out to another Wally Mawdsley track Exeter. Never saw him ride down there unfortunately.

Having viewed 'The Memories of West Ham Speedway' DVD I thoroughly enjoyed listening to 'Storming Norman' reminisce. His delivery was so dry and amusing! I recall his last years spent at Swindon he had this habit of patting the top of his helmet with his hand as he approached the starting gate! You remember things like that!

Klaus Lausch showed potential but again the lucrative long track scene proved more attractive...and later in his career tuning engines!

I think that if King had won the World Championship in 1984 (I was there) it would have been quite a shock despite his earlier round successes. Not sure if he would have carried the crown too well...but that's just my opinion. Bit like Les Collins in 1982. He would have been a shock winner if he had won (despite winning the previous round). John Berry went as far as to suggest that Les winning would have been more of a shock than Muller's win the following year. Not sure if I agree with that but Les was never the same force again and his British League form started to tail off from then on. He ended up at Edinburgh in 1985 when his form picked up again in the lower league. I recall an article about Les where he stated that his bikes during 1983 were not up to standard. Wasn't he JAWA works sponsored rider then? One of the true entertainers!