steve roberts

...but am I right in suggesting that other sports operate with an independent body? Do owners of Football clubs have any say in the organisation of the league and/or cups/rules etc or is that down to the FA who are an independent body?

...which is why speedway in this country continues the long slippery slope.

Did John Cook allow the following Kai Niemi to eventually join him up front or was Kai wary especially when the following year Cookie infamously ran into Jeremey Doncaster at Cowley thus denying the "Witches" any chance of winning the KOC?

Never been replaced in my opinion. Certainly livened up proceedings at Cowley during his time there in 1972.

I've rarely heard the aforementioned as I don't subscribe to satellite/cable TV but I watch very little sport on TV now as I got fed up with the over analysis and constant action replays and camara shots up your nostrils and shouting commentators. Kennnth Wolstenholme got it right when he said that less is more and let the action do the talking. I have some speedway DVD's where Colin "whatshisname" (once of "Tape-o-Sport") constantly jabbers away and it drives me insane!

Goes to show that when speedway gets it right it's second to none in sporting terms!

Having spent many happy evenings at Blunsden I think that it's an absolute disgrace the way Swindon fans have been toed along...and that's from an Oxford fan the enemy down the road!

Probably a lot of truth in that!

I know that it was mentioned some years ago now that it was proving difficult obtaining good quality shale. When Oxford had problems they mixed granite to help bond the track surface but I, too, wonder why clay is used. Surely it creates a claggy surface?

Unfortunately I never got to Custom House as they closed during my first year going to speedway but I do have "History of West Ham Speedway" DVD which makes for fascinating viewing!

Ashley used to live just down the road from me...a right tearaway apparently! Andersson was a real white line rider...rarely ventured into the dirt.

Terrific rider but could have achieved so much more if had contained his off track addictions which eventually caught up with him...but that was Kelly!

I watched the interview at the time...great bloke!

Remember Bob Coles appearing on Antiques Roadshow many years ago!

Sad news indeed. May he RIP.

He would stand at the start line at Cowley shaking his head at another Hans lightening reaction start!

I do sometimes watch the programme but missed this particular episode. I did appear fleetingly on one occasion when a member of the audience at a local auction.

Sad news indeed. Another icon lost who gave his all to to speedway both as a rider and later Team Manager/Promoter. RIP

...always "shoot the bum" during my times at Cowley!

I know that Alan and brother Andy used to ride as a combination with Andy in the sidecar. I assume that Andy wasn't involved? Initial reports appear bad...let's hope that Alan pulls thru'.

Apparently Alan Grahame has been seriuosly injured in a motorcycle accident?

I started this thread back in 2015 but I've lost track as to why there was a need to re-locate the stadium?

Always in my thoughts although a "Rebel" for too short a time. RIP

Interesting article about Brian in the latest edition of the "Classic Speedway" magazine.

It's often been said but until speedway takes on an idependant body to run the sport (although signs are now it is far too late) it won't survice under its present remit. I don't go along with the view that individual promoters who have a financial stake in their own club would veto such a proposal. Other sports run perfectly well whereby individual clubs/teams have an input but overal responsibilty/decisions are made/approved at a higher level.