steve roberts

Just checked this out...a very worthy site.

Jason Crump?

I took no offence BOBBATH as you were right...Oxford tended to be also rans making up the numbers (although they won the Third Division in 1950) but it did give an opportunity to throw my opinion in as regards the seventies because personally I think great things may well have come about if things had been different and we would have given the established 'top' teams a run for their money? Keep up the posts as I enjoy reading your views!

...crossed my mind also.

Personally I think that Oxford would have been one of the major players during the late seventies if they hadn't moved on to White City due to the proposed sale of Sandy Lane (later rescued by the SOS Committee at the time). They had a more than useful side in 1975 and I believe would have built upon that. Dag Lovaas may well have not cut short his career after his move to Wood Lane. Both Richard Greer and John Dews were more than capable performers around Cowley but never settled at White City. Oxford's tie up with Eastbourne and Peterborough would have strengthened their cause with the likes of Weatherly, Gachet, Dugard, Sampson, Clark et al waiting in the wings. Okay they did go on to win the title at White City but despite Bob Radford's wild claims that team had little resemblance to the 1974 side that he was part of (albeit only for half a season) never mind the 1975 side. All pure conjecture I know but Oxford was a sleeping giant waiting to be waken but the opportunity was taken away from them only to re-surface during the 80's and those glorious Nielsen years!

Persionally I would rank Ken above Ron based upon his longevity (although Ron was before my time) Happy to know that both rode for Oxford during their careers.

...ah but what memories!! Some wished that they had a yesterday to remember in sporting circles!

...I've had a long day and was lost on me!

Well we sent them packing in 2001!

...I think that he has mellowed but he used to talk some cra*p on the Oxford Forum. I met him once at Cowley but he won't remember me?

Ken McKinlay is often forgotten when one talks about quality riders. He had a career that over many years proved that he was a force both at domestic and world level. One of my first heroes although past his best when he rode for the "Rebels" during my first season (1972)

Are you related to Steve Shovlar by any chance? He used to hijack the old Oxford Speedway Forum with his usual 'banter'. I check out this thread expecting to read news about Oxford and find that it's bombarded by comments regarding Poole?

I would agree with that...great post as usual.

Some good stats there. Olsen joined Wolves from Newcastle as their number one so was already established. Nielsen was a raw 17 year old when he joined Wolves but hit the ground running...remember seeing him the first time at White City in 1977 and one could tell then that he was going to be a bit special. Ermolenko arrived after a year away from Britain (after a year spent at Poole in 1984 when he sometimes appeared unpredictable falling when unchallenged) on the back of a successful 1985 World Final appearance. He quickly became the undisputed number one at Monmore Green. Difficult comparing eras but by time Ermolenko rode for Wolves the likes of Carter, Sanders, Sigalos, Penhall, Lee (effectively) amongst others had left the scene. Both Nielsen and Olsen rode during the era of Mauger, Collins and in Olsen's case, Michanek and Briggs to name a few.

Personally I narrow it down to three...Ole Olsen, Hans Nielsen and Sam Ermolenko which can't surprise many considering their great achievements. Both Olsen and Nielsen carried past Wolverhampton sides whereas Ermolenko enjoyed team success unknown before at Monmore Green as captain. All three won World Championships although Nielsen's achievements were after he had left Wolves. All three were great exponents of the lost art of team riding and achieved high avearges over many years. Ole Olsen although winning two World Championships gained team success and influence after he left Wolves. Nielsen achieved greater success after leaving Monmore Green when he became frustrated by the attitude of the Wolves promotion when success wasn't high on the agenda. Ermolenko spent his best years at Monmore Green but by then the promotion had moved on and winning became all important so I guess that he must be classed as the best Wolves rider during that era but was he a better rider than the other two overal? If one is to take all three riders achievements over their entire careers I would place them as Nielsen, Olsen and Ermolenko in that order...what do others think?

Remember Phil Morris getting angry in the pits at Reading after Andre Compton had given him a hard time on the track.

Just down the road from where I used to live! Spencer Timmo's Car Sales nearby also.

I recall that there was a bit of an issue between Jeremy and Jens Rasmussen but got on great when "Razza" rode for the "Witches" in 1986 and Jeremy named his child Jens if I remember?

Wolverhampton were always reliant on Foreign riders during my time following the sport. Were never really known for their British rider reliabilty.

Gordon Kennett?

Certainly do...can you guide me how one formulates the required maps?

A tall order but the location of the Sandford-on-Thames (Grass)track would be great?

Any chance Weymouth?

Sounds like Graham Drury when riding for Oxford!

Nikki Pedersen when he signed for Oxford but didn't last long! Ole Olsen who didn't sign for Oxford and we got the majestic Dag Lovaas instead...thank goodness!