steve roberts

I'm sure I'm right in saying that QPR did play one season (?) at Wood Lane but failed to make it pay? The "Rebels" had relatively decent crowds but not near enough to cover the costs that such a large stadium demanded...more's the pity. I followed the "Rebels" for those three years and have great memories of that time.

I remember that a tape was lowered behind the rear wheel as a trial but came to nought?

...I remember when Peter Adams, rather tongue in cheek, suggested that the starting tapes be made of barbed wire when the touching tapes rule was first muted... he stated that would soon deter riders from nudging the tapes!

Another one gone...sad indeed. Saw his son Robert ride but if I recall retired due to a back injury? RIP

...which was deaf if I remember?

Just reading thru' some Oxford programmes (1986) and it mentions the less than friendly "cabbage patch kids" from Dudley who apparenetly threw objects at the victorious "Cheetahs" after one of many wins Oxford enjoyed at Cradley. Yes we made it a habit winning there...great days!

Latest DVD release from the Retro Label is "Swedish Riders"...will be worth having a look at. So many greats to choose from. My particular favourite was the elusive Hasse Holmqvist who rode for the "Cheetahs" and "Rebels" (previously for Wolves) and I remember the occasion that he parked his caravan outside my house for a brew up!

Bill Barker at King's Lynn? Now there's a conundrum...co-promoter at the time Malcolm Simmons gives an insight in his book regarding wheeling and dealing with Barker. Terry Lindon at Berwick another shady character.

Bernard Crapper and John Payne (representing Northern Sports) were pretty good as promoters and Bernard, especially, would introduce a bit of banter just to get things moving along so to speak! Has anyone mentioned that "rogue" Ian Thomas? He certainly livened things up especially with his "interpretation" of the rule book!

...apparently!

He gives an interesting account in his book regarding the whole sorry affair at Poole. "Many people were owed money, including tradespeople and riders, and Neil Middleditch, whose testimonial money was swallowed up in the liquidation. Many people believed that his testimonial money went into my pocket. Nothing could be further from the truth. My co-promoter and co-director in the latter stages of the Poole operation was Brian Maidment. It was he who was on the testimonial committee. With hidsight, of course, a seperate bank account should have been opened up but we were not to know that the bank was going to foreclose. My five year tenure at Poole Stadium saw me, personally, lose more than £250.000 and also a great deal of esteem..."

No mention of Reg Fearman? A controversial character in some eyes but his enthusiasm and dedication did get Reading up and running again until internal politics forced him to resign. His book is well worth a read.

...was he not involved in some off track "shenanigans" on at least one occasion I seem to recall reading?

My first visit to Hyde Road was in 1985 and unfortunately the zoo and funfair had gone by then. My last visit was in 1987 and the stadium was looking somewhat sorry for itself by then but no questioning the standard of racing.

Certainly his book "Walkabout" is well worth a read...lots of anecdotes and his obvious devotion to the sport.

...and of course Hyde Road (1988) went the same way with its largely wooden stands.

If ever there was a wasted misguided talent? He showed much promise as a junior at Oxford many years ago now but obviously came to nought.

Of course the greatest Promoter of all time was Johnnie Hoskins...the father of speedway. Too many tracks to mention but he finished his days promoting at Canterbury when Wally Mawdsley later joined forces. Wally promoted at some of the more unconventional, shall we say, tracks...Newport, Romford, Exeter, Bristol and Rochester (?) before he took over at the more conventional Swindon.

Oh the days of innocence! When I first went to speedway as a twelve year old me and friend would walk round on our own and pay our 30p entrance fee and 8p for a programme. Now I guess kids (if they attend?) have their own accounts and use their apps to pay for everything?

...that's a good point?

He lives in York and was staying with a friend in Oxford so I passed it on to him. As a matter of interest is one able to quote a booking reference number on entry or are you required to show a piece of paper?

...my brother doesn't own a computer or an app device so I ordererd a ticket on his behalf.

...sounds reasonable to me?

I'm afraid it sounds more of the same...the good folk of Swindon have been well and truly sold down the river with half promises and lies.

Martin Rogers (Promoter of Leicester at the time) gave a very interesting insight in "Backtrack" as regards the ultimate demise of Blackbird Road...he was less than complimentary towards Midland Sports (and Charles Ochiltree in particular).