steve roberts

Of course it would be useful if crowd figures were published as is the case in Sweden (or certainly used to be) so as to get an idea year on year how attendances (see other thread) have fallen and to judge, accurately, trends within the speedway going public. I remember many years ago a questionnaire in circulation asking fans to submit their views but I can't remember when or what even the questions were!!

Glad to see that the Yellow and Black helmet colour has been re-introduced. The green (do I recall that it was instigated for betting purposes?) helmet colour I had concerns with because under poor light it used to look blue! The original colours were brought in because Red and Blue are primarily dark colours (signifying the home team) whereas White and Yellow & Black were light (okay I know that black is dark but the helmet was chequered) to help relatively easy identification from a distance.

I was watching a DVD only the other day featuring a match between Leicester and Coventry (1978) at Blackbird Road and Tom Godall was riding for 'The Lions' wearing Dag's leathers!

Promotion and regulation was tried back during the days of the 'Mervyn Stewkesbury Administration' and it lasted, if I recall, for two seasons. The first season Swindon, having finished bottom, refused to be relegated but did the following season. It was never very practical, in real terms, as obviously 'Star Riders' wouldn't accept dropping a league and team strengths had to be adjusted requiring some form of rider control and/or movement between the two leagues. I admired, at the time, the thought processes involved but it was never going to work to suit all parties.

I haven't seen the footage (I don't subscribe to SKY etc - see other thread!) but was always brought up respecting a country's national anthem. I don't know the words to the British anthem (and it's not important in my view) or, indeed, the Danish, Swedish or American but during Test matches (another sad loss to the sport) I always stood to attention...perhaps it's an age thing?

Very interesting post! I, too, was an ardent fan following my chosen sport for 32 years travelling around the country and Europe. I even decided to have a go myself (King's Lynn) so that I had some experience to what it was like riding a bike without brakes and gears! I even helped during the difficult winter of 1975 when it was thought that Oxford Stadium was due to be redeveloped helping around the stadium. I also gave school talks and presentations during the Nigel Wagstaff years also helping doing odd jobs on the track prior to my last season (2003) Steve Purchase (Oxford promoter 1998 - 2002) even invited me to a pre-season forum to lay plans for a new season (2002). My life revolved around speedway but my interest started to wain and re-locating was the final nail. However I will never forget those years spent following my chosen sport. Great times and memories but, alas, a thing of the past I'm afraid.

How about Brian Clark? Very under-rated rider who rode for the one club, Peterborough, between 1970 and 1979. A very steady rider who I felt was ready to step up until a serious knee (?) injury picked up whilst riding for parent club, White City, at Swindon in 1976.

Don't subscribe to BT or Sky. I am building up a great collection of DVDS of matches held during the seventies and eighties and jut wallow in nostalgia. Friday night is speedway night in my household!

I've only just read the story regarding Jerran Hart's part in 'beating up a squaddie'. The story disgusted me and I hope that he is fully ashamed of himself! I would use stronger language but this is a public domain.

I often have a chat with Ian Cartwright when I'm passing thru' Kilburn in North Yorkshire where he is one of the directors of 'Mouseman' Robert Thompson Ltd where the fine furniture they produced has a mouse motive carved into it! He's a very nice, unassuming man and I enjoy reminiscing about the old days with him!

Yes it was alway great putting one over 'The Budgies!'...trouble is the following season they got their own back by beating 'The Cheetahs' at Cowley! Those local derbies between the Oxford 'Cheetahs', Swindon 'Budgies' and the Reading 'Berks' always produced memorable moments!

Does anyone know if 'Webbo' (King's Lynn and Oxford fame) still follows the sport and whether he can be contacted?

One of the best meetings in living memory at Oxford was the 1985 Knock Out Cup Final between Oxford and Ipswich. The meeting had everything and the tie was in the balance right until the very last race. The Oxford pair of Simon Wigg and Troy Butler only needed to split 'The Witches' (John Cook and Jem Doncaster) to secure the match. The Ipswich pair gated as one leaving Simon Wigg trailing. However on exiting the fourth bend John Cook rather bizarrely took Doncaster out allowing the Oxford pair thru'. Was it on purpose? Forever remains a mystery. I did once put it to John Berry and he was equally mystified by Cook's antics.

Are you sitting down? Now watch my lips...the original thread was whether the Play-Offs should be scrapped? Many contributors, including myself, have posted comments for and against the concept. You apparently have a problem accepting other people's opinions regarding this topic. I have no intention going over and over what's been discussed (despite your childish comment about 'getting one's knickers in a twist) and there comes a time, surely, that the debate has become exhausted. Can't you accept that notion? That's my final comment on this particular thread as I am finding your constant comments tiresome as I'm sure others do and would prefer to move on!

For goodness sake what's the matter with you! I can't be bothered debating this subject any longer! All angles have been covered and I have better things to do with my time...just get a life will you!

Noted!

Can't be bothered personally!

Yes he was. A very classy rider. He had a bad crash with Trevor Hedge at Wood Lane in 1976 and he admitted that he lost his nerve (interview in 'Backtrack' magazine some years ago) His brother, Ulf (another favourite of mine), rode for Cradley and Oxford but his style was so very different. Sorry Sidney to bring this one up but one of my great memories was the Swindon v Oxford (BL) clash at the tail end of the 1986 season. 'The Cheetahs' gave 'The Robins' a real drubbing and my abiding memory was Per Sorensen securing a paid maximum on his return to a track that had earlier discarded him. He must have been 'over the moon' with that performance. Per's signing really turned Oxford's season round and they went on to become invincible in all competitions that year!

Personally I've given up on this thread!

Remember it well. The weather was awful! He used to practice on ice to perfect his throttle control. Desperately wanted to ride for Oxford and got his wish but I think that he lost his enthusiasm (and nerve) when 'The Rebels' moved to Wood Lane. Never mastered the track. I think that he was still riding a JAP and the engine just didn't suit the White City circuit. I actually presented him with a bottle of bubbly at the last match of the season at Cowley!

I like it! However not true!

Dag Lovaas...one of my favourites! Superlative on wet tracks! Don't get me started on 'Cass the Gas!"

I know! The thread's lost me...can't keep up with it. Time to move on I think!

Remember well the occasion "Uncle Len' tried a fast one (and got away with it!) when City 'Rebels' rode at Hackney in 1977. Mick Hines was down in the programme to ride as a guest replacement for Marek Cieslak only for Len, as the meeting was due to start, put in a protest stating that Mick had ridden at Waterden Road only the week before. He was technically right but it did go against the grain considering that Mick's name was already printed in the programme. Len obviously wanted to play his card leaving 'The Rebels' a rider short! However cometh the hour (if I recall Roger Abel was promoted into the team as a replacement) 'The Rebels' went about sorting out "The Hawks' in an enthralling match. The race that sticks forever in my mind was the wheel to wheel battle between Gordon Kennett and Hackney's guest Peter Collins. Gordon on the inside and Peter the outside...no quarter given and no dirty stuff...just respect for each other. The race ended in a dead heat and, yes, 'The Rebels' just pipped 'The Hawks' to win the match! A great meeting on a perfect race track!

If I recall White City enquired about whether Barry was available and wanted him to sign for 'The Rebels' after his great ride...or are my memory cells playing tricks?