Sidney the robin

I do think when you are a supporter of a certain rider you could be blinkered , most of us are very guilty of that myself included more than anyone. My point is Falcace gave us all a great post he said some of us would consider, Rickardsson,Crump, Pedersen, Hancock in the top fifteen riders of all time.Myself personally only Ricko, Crump, would be considered in a top 10 after that all up to conjecture not that they were not good anough but over a test of time there are loads of great riders to consider.

Maybe that was a weakness that was often thrown at Briggo?? not a criticism as i was a massive fan of his.

I believe Hans helped Coxy, Sorensen, Dugard all improve as riders his team riding skills were sublime.At Swindon we always knew there was a good rider in there in Per and he really grew as a rider riding under Han's wing.

All if's and but's Steve all hypothetical really it happened in different era's what if Peter had not been killed? what if Bjorn had not retired ?.Hans had served his apprenticeship at Wolves/ Birmingham he grasped the nettle and what a terrific embassaddor he was for speedway.

Great post i personaly think Erik was more consistent than many think and he would of always been there in amongst it.The Hans/Erik years was a strange period really because Penhall, Lee,Carter, Sanders,Sigalos all disappeared off the scene because of differing reasons leaving a huge void and opportunity.Going to Oxford was the best move Hans ever made and yes he should of won at least six titles great rider certainly.

I must say Erik had Hans measure on the big occasion generally, yes three titles before that horrific accident who knows???? .Hans was terrific stuck at it showed real mental aptitude and really should of won at least six titles for me me.Going to Oxford regular from 1983/ 89 Gundersen and Knudsen were two riders who were not in awe of Hans and both had great head to head records against Hans. Lee was another rider one who always generally faired well against Hans over the years not many did.

A very good rider in the Jackson, Wilcock ( etc) mould well good anough to ride in a mega hard BL.The old saying was small fish in a small pool never bought that Joe/ Tom Owen proved that.Sampson/ Perks at Nottingham were a real force again Perks was always BL material.

Remember seeing Mike in a morning fixture Cradley v Swindon 1980 Mike was certainly a BL rider.

Why would you say that Chunky ???? why not just comment on the subject ?

Really not to worry i, am sure you would give some other poor sod the benefit of the doubt because it is Mike Lee NO.

Yes Mate Loram was classy could not gate for Toffee what a r ridrer Remember Mark as a mascot at Hackney With Thommo,loved Mark great rider,

His way of running a meeting was holding the tapes for fun trying to catch the riders out.God knows how many riders burned there clutches out under his marshalling dreadful referee.

I actually think you are way off the mark with this statement maybe Webby is the guy to ask he would know better than most.In my days of following Speedway and the people and the riders i know and respect i can honestly say Michael is well respected in speedway circles.Yes he has made huge mistakes but he has held his hands up, Ipswich Henry Frank Ebdon made that meeting into a farce.Frank Ebdon was a disgrace the Mike Dean of speedway absolutely terrible for me he should of been sacked on the spot no idea how to keep a speedway meeting flowing.

What order Henry W ???? Ricko, Jason, Greg, Tomasz,Nicki,... Greg and Nicki would be certainly fourth and fifth for me.

Wet Spam really ?? hope you are well Doris .

One of the best posts i have ever read on this forum Addio really makes you think.You mentioned Marciano basically a blown up lightweight hard as nails as you say you can only beat who is in front of you.Marciano was 49-0 he was offfered fortunes to comeback and get over the 50-0' but he had promised his beloved mum he would stay retired.Rickardsson was a thorn in Jason's side and it might sound ridiculous i put Jason and Gollob above Tony BUT the roll of honour does not lie.That fabulous top five Barry, Ove, Mirac, Bjorn, Peter was something else what a level/Standard.A honest question to you Addio if you are a fan of somebody ( i.e. me and Briggo and Ove with Ove can you become bias blinkered what do you think.?

Did Gote start in the old provincial league Norbold??? was it a huge leap to ride in the top league.?? Always puzzled me that Eric Boocock said he was never phased by moving up with the top boys took it in his stride he said he learned loads by traveling with Nigel and learning the ropes.

Your opinion is very much valued Norbold, and you are on the money.Rickardsson was a rider i never really took to but his achievements says it all.My biggest regret was never seeing Craven and Knutsson ride the big five Ove, Barry, Peter, Bjorn, Mirac were something else.My uncle who first took me to speedway said that Knutsson had untapped quality silky smooth a rider who was a threat to everybody.Another rider he always harped on about was Gote Nordin he always maintained he was a class act.

Only saw Ove once Doris against Wembley 1970 Briggo destroyed him twice Ove did have his measure though generally.Ove was such a tough rider fair but totally committed a true gentleman off the track.Mauger, Ove, Barry, Hans, certainly would be in my all time top ten riders.

Never heard that either Steve but to be 2.0 up and just give the helmet up says everything.Mike was usually true to his word he had promised to do the booking and honoured his commitment.As Grachan mentioned in another post Mike's demolition job on Phil Crump at the Abbey in the helmet was something else.

Have to say Steve i don't think any of us know the full facts of Michael and his career.Remember him losing at Poole to Shawn Moran in the helmet engine problems and not turning up at Sheffield for the return the day after.He was such a perfectionist up all night trying to rectify the engine problems he never made it.Remember Eric Boocock being really angry with him on the Thursday and Booey was a big supporter of Mike.

I think that decision to I would say Webby you were a massive supporter , Ive never met Mike he is certainly a guy i loved great natural.ability.Yust felt Mike's record against Penhall.Nielsen Penhall.Carter says it all what do think??

Ah yes Royals god rest his soul but he was not a popular guy.

Great post he was victimised no doubts about that and the referee Eglese was a total disgrace in the Kings Lynn v Poole incident in 1984.All the riders involved in that incident all wrote letters to the control board but there was no budging them they had a agenda.Look we all know Mike was no angel but he was a marked man the disgraceful decision to stop Mike riding in the 1984 British Final after his ban was reduced was scandalous.But you know what, as you said the paying speedway public were punished and robbed of seeing this unique talent perform.

Yes and Ove was winner or placed 11 times out of 12 seasons truelly remarkable. Was it easier for Crump to do it (i.e.) Qualifying every year wildcards (etc) don't know hypothetical really Fundin is a true icon of our sport.