steve roberts

Without wishing to come across as pedantic and not wanting to trawl thru' pages on this particular thread but I'd be interested to know how this figure was arrived at? Was it quoted in his book? I'll check again when my brother has finished reading it. I'd be more than happy if someone could enlighten me in the meantime...

...blimey that takes me back!

I recall reading Eric Boocock's book that Stuart Bamforth insisted that he didn't want any "freeloaders' getting into meetings for nothing and vitually everybody paid to get in...the St.John Ambulance Brigade included. Taffy Owen who ran the track shop and paid a rent was also expected to pay. Members of the press including the likes of Richard Frost and Dick Bott who had given Belle Vue such good, and free, publicity had to pay to get in to do their job. Apparently he was basing his decision on a system that had been adopted in Aussie in that everyone (including the competitors) were expected to pay and then signed a book and were re-imbursed to discourage "freelodaers" however he forgot to tell anyone of his intentions and there was so much animosity flying about prior to the first meeting.

...again, where has this figure come from? Can't recall a specific reference in his book unless I missed it?

...not sure, or remember, if this was quoted in his book? I've since lent it to my brother. I'd be interested to know where that figure came from?

I have to admit I thought he was a class act...the "King" of "Glam Rock". I still occasionally listen to his music now. He may be disgraced but you can't take away the impact he had on the music scene during the early/middle seventies.

...I've just checked Speedway Researcher and Canterbury were early season visitors on the 12th April winning 34-43. That's looking familiar especially when I looked down the team sheets!

The more I think of it it was Canrebury who were the visitors. Can you check your programme fixture list if it's not too much trouble? How I regret selling all my programmes now!

Many thanks for that...wasn't the 3TT I know for sure. I recall Oxford riding there in a 4TT but don't remember being there? My mind's all of a dither now...perhaps it wasn't a 4TT afteral as Canterbury rings a bell. Martin Goodwin was in the second half (I think?)

Blimey...I doff my hat to you!

That's some cycle ride!

...b****y awful nickname!

I'm sure the meeting I went to was on a Thursday...can't remember who it was against now however? Sure it was a 4TT?

...which is why the sport needs an independant body but it will never happen.

I've always advocated that playing about with the rules doesn't actually increase potential "new fans"...it just pisses off those who already attend with silly rule changes just for the sake of shaking things up in the eyes of the promoters.

I would have thought keeping team's names "alive" would encourage lost fans to attend such meetings?

Problem is what qualifies as a "local derby?" My interpretation is your nearest rival track? Ipswich & King's Lynn, Coventry & Leicester, Boston & Peterborough, Belle Vue & Sheffield etc etc were alll seen as "local derbies" to the fans who supported those teams. Who were Birmingham's closest rivals...Cradley or Wolves?

...he obviously evokes plenty of opinions!

...but as I've often said am I right in assuming that other sports are run by Independant bodies who have no financial input?

...Ian Thomas was a past master in manipulating the rules to his advantage. Been saying for years that speedway should be run by an independant organisation but of course that will never happen. The main criticism levelled at this argument is that an independant body wouldn't have any financial input within the sport whereas those running the clubs (promoters) do. However, correct me if I'm wrong, but other sports are run independantly with success?

Middlesborough "Smoggies"

Barrow "Boys"

I followed "The Rebels" to White City (although still following Oxford in the NL) but because they only ran for three years I guess it was too short to build up any sort of rivalry between Hackney and Wimbledon although London based "Rebels" may have felt different? Being an "out of towny" removed me from any direct link and/or close connection with the area so therefore didn't get the buzz.

...funny I had similar experiences with Wolves fans. There were a group of Cradley fans who used to visit Cowley and were quite frankly looking for trouble! Most fans mixed quite happily and, as you say, had rows but would often end civilly. Great days!

Buxton "Buccaneers".