steve roberts

Sas news indeed. RIP

Think it happened at Eastbourne when King's Lynn refused to ride when the "Eagles" objected to a declared rider in the "Stars/Knights" line up?

As a Cowley regular for thirty plus years the track record for many years was held by Peter Craven who clocked a time of 63 seconds in 1963. Nobody got near that time for ten years and it wasn't until the track was shortened that a new record was set (George Hunter if I recall?) in 1973. Phil Crump in 1974/75 set a record of 63.2 (?) although the average times were somewhat slower until Dave Perks registered a sub 63 time during his time as "Cheetah". It did emphasise what a special talent Peter Craven was to have held the record for so long...if I remember it was during a Golden Helmet encounter with the great Ove Fundin where all three races registered 63 plus times?

Yes I too remember the smells. Was there a Bovril factory near by? Also if I recall the Matchbox factory was also in the vicinity?

...and Weymouth.

When we first went to Hackney in 1973 the hire car lost third and fourth gear approaching Hangers Lane...continued to Waterden Road around tha North Circular (those were the days) in second gear. After the meeting we found a telephone kiosk (remember those?) and phoned the breakdown service and had to hang around for a return call. In the meantime a police officer arrived on the scene as we had been reported to be behaving suspiciously (these were the days of the IRA) and after explaining our peril we phoned the owner (father of one time second halfer and Peterbrough rider Chris Drewitt) who told us to try and get the car back to Oxford...drove all the way back to Oxford in second gear! Fun days and you don't forget memories like that!

Sad news indeed. Spoke to someone a few years back who knew Reg and would play cards with him. RIP

Sad news indeed...a good servant over many years to the sport. RIP

BoBo Valentine...can't recall what it stood for? Sumner McKnight.

To be fair I think that history tells that the majority of riders who became champions were worthy ones...of course there's an argument that suggests when Wembley held the final that it favoured their riders but overall I don't think that the one-off system produced that many "shock" wins.

I last saw Ian about five years ago when I visited "Mouseman" at Kilburn.

Thankfully Osborne's time at Oxford during the mid seventies came to an end when he "sold" the stadium to the local council but was saved by some pretty resourceful characters who formed a committee as regards its future. Personally I would turn my back on him if he ever entered a room I happened to be in.

Very sad news. A true legend. RIP John.

I was late on the World Final circuit but those I attended were 1981, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 & 88.

Radford never fitted in at Cowley and the last resort was when Gordon Kennett phoned Radford to see if the meeting against Swindon was to go ahead to be told that it had been cancelled. It did take place and Oxford had to cover for Gordon and subsequently lost to Swindon...Radford resigned soon after and he wasn't missed.

Apparently according to the late Bob Radford who was the manager at Cowley in 1974 Ulf wished to return to Cradley after signing for Oxford and agreeing terms. Bob Radford only lasted half a season before resigning his post.

Ulf after a slow start not helped by an early season injury began to register some decent scores. It was a shame he missed the following season (due to family commitments) and subsequent seasons because he could have gone on to be a very useful rider.

Just re-reading Ian Thomas's book and as you say he was a great advocate and it generated much interest and publicity.

I'm sure he scored double figures at Swindon in 1982 when "The Eagles" won in a late season match?

Sad news indeed. A valuable member of the "Cheetahs" RIP

I used to stay on and watch the second halves. At Oxford during the early to middle seventies we were spoilt dure to our tie up with sister tracks Eastbourne and Peterborough where many of their riders would contest the second half. Great days!

Sad news indeed. Recall Rick's last year at Halifax. RIP

I'd agree...1985 was a special year whereas as you say 1986 turned into a bit of anti-climax when the weather beat the "Cheetahs" when we on course to win the four main trophies.

Brilliant news!

Sad to hear of the death of the character at Oxford Ernie Tipping(?) known as "Kojak" to many fans over the years who used to sell the "Star" and "Mail". He was a great character enlivening many a "discussion" winding up the away fans especially. RIP