steve roberts

Even during the glory days at Cowley (1980's) we had Hans leading the team with one of two Danes (Jens Rasmussen & Per Sorensen) and rookie Aussie Troy Butler but the main body of the team was essentially English. Unfortunately that ethic slowly eroded and Oxford went the way of many other teams. Personally I think fans like ro relate to locally based talent but that is something very much a thing of the past.

Ah yes! Clark Osbourne...remember him when he 'sold' Cowley Stadium in 1975 until the SOS Committee (one of which was my uncle) saved the stadium.

Wolves for many, many years adopted a foreign policy on riders...I recall a year when they had five Danes riding for them and then throw in the odd Yank. It's never been that much of a hotbed for British riders during my years following speedway.

This has to be one of the longest ever sagas within speedway circles?

That sounds right!

...hmm! Recall the 1983 meeting at Cowley against Swindon. "The Budgies" were that desperate to win that they booked in two guests (wasn't one Andy Grahame?) I remember that Bernard Crapper was less than impressed!

Remember the meeting Sid! I recall that Newcastle were using the Rider Replacement facility for either Bobby Beaton or Alan Emerson? Have a feeling that Martin Scarisbrick also rode? Later that same year I saw Newcastle at Mildenhall and there were similar performances from Hunter and Owen (although I recall that Owen was excluded in one race). Newcastle lost in last heat decider when Richard Knight rounded Rod Hunter!

Rob Hollingworth was a bit of a track specialist at Cowley as was Steve Lomas when he moved to Boston (although I remember when he first started out at Weymouth - a day by the sea followed by speedway in the evening and a visit to "Alf's Fish and Chips")

There was letter in my TV Guide where someone was criticising Michael Portillo's dress sense? It was suggested that he should dress 'contempory'...okay dress with shorts that cover the knees or jeans slashed and wearing a branded teashirt plus a baseball camp! Okay his colour co-ordination sometimes clashes but at least he is smart in appearance.

All I can say is that I was glad I grew up during the era that I did.

Could well qualify as the best father and son combination? Phil was awesome round Cowley especially on the occasion when he smashed the track record!

During the glory years there were two great track curators ( can't recall their names I'm afraid) and Hans had nothing but praise for them Unfortunately due to cut backs they resigned as they couldn't be guarenteed the time and equipment to do a good job and the track began to deteriote much to Wiggy's aghast! By the time Colin Meredith came along the track was nothing like its former self and I recall helping him out prior to Nigel Wagstaff's first year in charge and the track was awful with bumps all over the place.

David Shields and John Hack formed a very formidable reserve pairing during the early matches in 1978 and together with the immaculate George Hunter 1978 proved to be great year which got better in 1979. Unfortunately Cradley's involvement began to wain causing riders to move on or who were transferred and things began to deteriorate at Cowley before Northern Sports stepped in resulting in the glory years at Oxford.

Yes Ali Stevens was another 15 year old who gave demonstration rides at Cowley. He looked very promising and I seem to recall he suffered an off-track injury which seemed to set him back and never really fulfilled his full potential in my view. Saw David Shields ride to an immaculate 12 point maximum at Milton Keynes in only his second appearance for "The Cheetahs" in 1978. If he had chosen to return in 1979 I think that he would have become a very big rider in the National League and by the time he returned to these shores some years later I think that the early impetus was lost.

I was fortunate Sid that at Cowley we had many talented Eastbourne & Peterborough riders take part in the old Second Halves (lamented in my opinion). Great days!

Colin Richardson who I saw as fifteen year old giving demonstration rides at Cowley and beating a young Michael Lee. Another great product who never really progressed beyond his sensational 1977 season.

Did great service for "The Cheetahs" in 1977. Steve Weatherly was another great rider from that era. The old Second Division/National League produced many talented riders.

Mike Sampson was a favourite of mine and really came to the fore in 1977 when he also doubled up for "The Rebels". The Second Division produced so many star riders...Dave Jessup, Peter Collins, Gordon Kennett etc. It was no accident that when the League went its seperate way Britain began to loose its dominance. Another good post Sid!

I recall a Cup Final between the sides in 1989?

I have a problem downloading images...given up trying if I'm honest!

Also like to add my best wishes.

That's a good question Sid? The track length was 354 yards, if I recall, when Peter achieved his never to be beaten track record of 63secs. It was shortened to 350 yards in 1973 (the reason I have no idea) and when Hans arrived in 1984 it was altered again when the entrances and exits of the bends were pulled in.

Great post Sid! I miss your speedway related subjects...something lacking on the BSF at the moment!

One rider I dearly would have liked to have seen was the late, great Peter Craven. To think that his track record at Cowley stood for nearly ten years and nobody got anywhere near it despite changes to bikes etc. Only a change in the track length warrented a new track record!

According to the 1982 Speedway Yearbook it was Hans Nielsen achieved on the 28th September 1981 in a time of 59.7 seconds.