steve roberts

Yes it's a delicate situation and it's up to the folk of Oxford to support the venture but at least with the council supporting the stadium is half the battle...but, of course, that could quickly change.

All I can say is that thank goodness the council in Oxford viewed Cowley as a leisure amenity and stepped in when it was so nearly lost to developers.

Just bought a 1978 White City programme for £1 at an antique centre in Beverley! There listed is one Jim Tebby as Clerk of the Course...I had forgotten that. That's one reason I like reading old programmes so as to jog my fading memory. Just a shame I sold my massive collection!

...thereby lies the problem. Remember once reading a report that there many tens if not hundreds of thousands of vacant properties lying dormant.

Couldn't agree more and Team Managers getting all agitated on the phone to the ref in full view of the fans even, as Bernard Crapper once admitted to me, if it was a way of winding up the fans and generating some theatre in proceedings during a dull meeting!

Yes it obvious that the Promotion that bought into Reading came in all bombastic on the back of promoting "Sky TV" (can't even remember his name) and soon left with his tail well and truly between his legs!

Usual politicans, whether national or local, being open to question who, afteral, are supposed to represent the community they are elected to serve.

Mike Bennett for some reason wasn't a success at Oxford which is something he has often mentioned although he did get a good reception when he made an announcement on behalf of Bernard Crapper deriding a decision made by the match referee on one occasion!

Didn't Dave Lanning try this at Wimbledon?

Couldn't agree more...good old H&S and of course once upon a time kids (and the odd adult) were once allowed to ride pillion on the bike during the interval etc.

John Earey ("As long as we know") also at White City was very good...never a great fan of Peter York despite being the presenter at Cowley for many years!

The third bend...my spot together with my mates! Great days!

My brother is at Cowley this evening and I'm seriously jealous...he's very impressed with the stadium and what has been achieved in such a short time.

I was never a fan of 'live' speedway on the TV...too much pontificating. Much better a match that has been edited without all the time wasting.

Dave Hammond at Cowley was one of the best announcers in my opinion...smooth delivery and a nice man into the bargain.

Ah the days when riders used to roll into the tapes to try and catch out a rival who would break the tapes in anticipation...Garry Middleton was a master at it! Certainly got the fans going never mind the oppostion rider and Team Manager who would be straight on to the centre green phone adding to the entertainment!

John Berry, Dave Lanning (during his tenure at Cowley) Len Silver and Bob Dugard/Danny Dunton amongst others would often be controversial in their editorials but as you point out they had to tone down their observations in case it upset the "hierarchy.".

John Berry put his name forward but soon realised that he wouldn't get the support of others within the sport and in a flash withdrew his interest.

I used to place comments in my programmes so when I went back to consult them they would evoke fond memories...better written down as one's memory diminishes with each passing year!

I actually got to watch a couple of races from the centre green and personally I was disappointed as they seemed just to be riding round in circles! It's the same when I watch a DVD when the meeting was filmed from the centre green. I find that watching from the outside from a height you get a better perspective...just my opinion.

I believe that you can park at Unipart (Watlington Road) which is just up the road from the stadium. I did read that they run a shuttle service but I'll leave that someone more in the know to confirm?

My brother is going to Oxford speedway next week and I'm envious and have asked him to get me a programme as a souvenir so at least I have something tangible to remind me of years past at Cowley when I used to stand on the third bend chewing the fat with colleagues and fillling in my programme...all part of the night out in my opinion.

Never mind tractor "racing" but apparently at the Crystal Palace track after heavy rain during the meeting created ruts a ten ton steam roller was introduced to iron out the track so that racing could continue...that would have been some sight!

John Berry's comments were often controversial and always worth a read as were many others around the country.

Harringay "Caneries", "Tigers" and finally "Racers". Their Junior team rode under the name of "Whelps".