steve roberts

I've got this one on order! Although not my favourite rider I'm hoping he'll have some interesting things to say about the sport during his time as a rider and nowadays promoter! I've read John Berry's comments as to why he decided to go without John and would be interested to read John's side of events.

I read this book some years ago not long after it was published and I was interested in Sam's observations regarding a particular race during the 1985 World Final held at Bradford. To quote: "We were watching the race and Shawn Moran and Lance King were beating Erik Gundersen , then before you knew it, Erik pulled off a big sweep around the outside of them and took the lead and won the race. It was felt that King didn't try that hard to prevent him from doing this as they used be team-mates at Cradley" I was at Bradford and have watched that race many times since on video/dvd and was always somewhat suspicious! The two Americans at the time were holding perfect positions (one on the inside and the other the outside) giving Erik no chance until King decided to drop down on the line. Certain commentators have often credited since that it was a spectacular move by Erik but I always felt it was somewhat gifted and Sam's observations hint at that!

Remember John Earrey from my White City days. One of the best! Used to find Dave Hammond's announcements very soothing at Oxford. Precise and to the point. Personally I never liked 'disc-jockey' type announcers but that's me showing my age I suppose!

Possibly so but I do think that all things considered Nielsen would overcome and stamp his authority.

Couldn't agree more! Having followed Hans Nielsen throughout his Oxford years (1984-1992) as well as abroad nobody came near him as he just dominated the scene. A class act who could team ride with the best of them. If the GPs had been around during the middle late eighties he would have swept the board!

I am not questioning his team riding abilities (although I remember Gordon Kennett's superlative effort when at White City he came thru' from third to first outwitting the above two mentioned!) but his head strong and bullying actions towards other riders who didn't 'toe the Olsen line!' As regards his non appearances at Cowley (yes he did indeed break a collar bone (?) in 1973 when exiting the second bend) but for his non appearance in the 1974 British league encounter (broken down?) and in 1975. To quote from programme notes: "Of course many of you were disappointed as indeed your promoters were at the non-appearance of 1975 World Champion Ole Olsen...It is in my view a great pity that a man who was crowned such a worthy champion should treat the speedway public in this way, and I can assure that he Wolves team manager was as fed with the whole business as we were" He also managed to miss the Midland Cup Final encounter at Cowley where Martin Ashby deputised! And as a footnote...how pleased I was when Olsen turned down a move to Cowley prior to the 1975 season when we got the majestic Dag Lovaas instead!

I have edited highlights!

Not a Carter fan personally. Didn't actually get to see much of him as my team, Oxford, were riding in the National League during his time. What I have of him already on dvd leaves me disliking him as a person and found his attitude irritating to say the least...but he was a Yorkshireman after all!

Not one of my favourites! Rarely put in an appearance at Oxford for one reason or another. Also never appreciated his manipulative style!

I personally feel that people need now to except that speedway is now a minority sport and just doesn't attract punters as it once used too. We can discuss for ever and a day the merits of track preparation, rules, music played, admission charges, the effect of the GPs etc etc. I have in the past given talks at schools, stood outside Tescos handing out leaflets promoting the sport etc but attendances are on a continual downward spiral. Despite SKY having covered the sport for twenty (?) years (I always questioned broadcasting live meetings feeling that it was detrimental) interest has wained. The authorities seriously need to consider the sport going semi-amateur (too many riders nowadays expect to make a living from speedway) and propose a split from the GP so that the sport can return to the era that tracks operated on a certain night. In my experience people want continuity. Continually changing race nights is a nonsense in my opinion. Continuity in team selection should also be a prime concern..and let's do away with the over reliance on mediocre foreign riders. I could go and on but I would only be repeating the well worn arguments for and against. My views were often shared by John Berry when he published his two most excellent books based on his years as a promoter during the 60s, 70s and early 80s.

Interesting point about music. Personally I take the view of the late, great, Benny Green (Broadcaster) who used to say that music is more often about evoking memories from the past whether the music be good or bad. What annoys me intensely whilst doing my supermarket shop is having to be subjected to banal music which drives me to distraction! Music is a very personal experience and it can be a double edge sensory in that it can drive people away as well as attract others. There is always a danger alienating certain people hence why there needs to be a broad spectrum to hopefully please the majority...easier said that done!

Wasn't there something like the British League Cup (?) some ten years or so ago that involved teams from both leagues? I recall that it caused some confusion regarding riders assessed averages and died a death after one year.

If I recall the National Football Team did win the European Championship some years ago...which is more than can be said for our over paid National Team!

I can only assume that because football enjoys such a high profile thru' the media and is a sport that most are able to participate (I remember kicking a stone around the play ground with jerseys used as goalposts!) that most younger people are more able to identify with it. Personally it's a sport that I can not patronise because of the vulgar amounts of money that 'circulates' within the game but I can understand how others are drawn towards it with all the merchandise readily available. As a teenager I used to ride cycle speedway on a roughly carved out track trying to emulate my heroes but can't imagine youngsters doing that today!

Very interesting observations! Not sure where one goes with the younger generation however? Trying to attract them will be difficult whatever is put in place. I was taken to my first meeting by my brother. Father and Grandfather used to go and I re-introduced my dad after I caught the bug. The interest was passed down from father/mother to brother/sister (I'm sure that this scenario was the case with many fans of a certain age) but the world today is very different with all the alternative attractions now available. Younger people seem obsessed with computer games, ipods etc etc and appear no longer to enjoy things that my generation appeared to get excited about. I've worked within a museum environment for the last ten years and seen how they've had to change to attract the younger generation. I hate the term 'dumbed down' but that's exactly what they've had to do as the attention level does seem limited within a certain age group. Speedway is/was a great product but I fear that the concept now appears not to enthuse many younger people. The BSPA come up with daft rules that haven't helped and often alienates those who already regularly attend. During my days working at the museum I often met people who used to go but no longer do due to the way that the sport has been run (I'll not even attempt to list the reason why...read the late John Berry's many comments on the subject) Personally I think that speedway has totally lost its way at domestic level and I can't see a way back for it.

I've been 'out of speedway' for over then years so don't know of Len's recent past but can only admire the man for what he achieved during the seventies. A real showman...and how the sport needs them!

When I first went to speedway in 1972 (12 years old) it cost me 30p admission and 8p for the programme! I know that it's all relative but interesting all the same!?

Hi Trees! I remember corresponding with you years ago on the Oxford forum! Yes, moving to York has diminished my enthusiasm and when I rarely pick up a 'Speedway Star' I don't understand much of what I am reading...points scored, match points etc and all of the other weird changes that have apparently taken place since I last attended. It's a simple sport made very confusing by the daft rules implemented at each AGM. I always recall the late Bernard Crapper stating that he no longer understood the rule book after he withdrew from promoting at Oxford (and he used to know it inside out!) I realise the sport is desperately trying to entice new fans to the sport but in the words of John Berry 'it wasn't the fans who turned its back on speedway but that speedway turned its back on the fans!' My biggest criticism of the sport is that there is no longer any continuity and fans can no longer associate with their teams and its rider make up...a situation that existed in my time but has increased significantly over the years. Eight members of my family used to attend but gave up years ago which, I guess, is a sad reflection on where the sport is going?

I'd like to add something positive regarding modern day speedway but can't I'm afraid! Having followed the sport for thirty plus years but being out of the loop for the last twelve I have no enthusiasm in attending a meeting. It's not the sport I remember and with the AGM fast looming it will be another exercise whereby the promoters appear to be obsessed in just 'moving deck chairs around on the ill fated Titanic!' As I have previously stated that until an independent body takes control of the sport it will continue to spin forever downwards. John Berry spoke a lot of sense and how the sport could do with someone like him now!

I last called in at Cowley in 2011 and the stadium was in a disgraceful mess! I did send an email to the then owners stating my disappointment 'suggesting' that their remit was to run the facility down to such an extent that the only viable alternate was to sell the site to interested developers? The representative strongly refuted that suggestion however history since then has proved correct in my opinion! I only hope that a saviour is found who is prepared to take the project on and make Cowley Stadium a viable concern again.

I work within the tourism industry and recently spoke to a group of Danish visitors who knew about speedway in their homeland although admitting never having attended. They were very aware of the influence of Nielsen, Gundersen, Olsen etc and their successes and one visitor even talked at length about Daisy Nielsen's golfing exploits knowing that she was the daughter of Hans!. I got the impression that speedway received more publicity in Denmark than it does here in Britain generally. Also I am constantly made aware of British visitors who used to go to speedway but no longer do very various reasons.

Some years ago, whilst still living in Oxford, I did some 'promotional' talks at various schools (Primary level) on behalf of the promoter who was then installed at Cowley. However It wasn't particular well thought thru' as I had very little to show the children (a bike would have been useful!) and I took in some videos but it wasn't particularly successful in my opinion. Not very professional in approach and an opportunity lost. I have my own views why speedway has 'lost its way' but they've been well documented time and again on various forums. What the sport desperately needs is an Independent body to shake it up and the sport lost an ideal opportunity when John Berry offered his services (late eighties) but immediately stood aside as he soon realised he wouldn't have got the necessary support from within...and the sport has stumbled along since!

Many thanks for the comments. I did have my doubts whilst talking to him as when last at Oxford (2003) the crowds were very noticeably down on previous years and I can't imagine that things have improved generally over the last decade.

I followed speedway for thirty plus years (Oxford) but due to relocating to York some twelve years ago I haven't been since. At my place of work recently I had a conversation with a Birmingham fan who gave me the impression that match attendances are very much up nationally. Historically promoters have never quoted official figures and I would be interested to know if this is in fact the case as it appears to be the contrary when one reads comments generally?