Sidney the robin

They had that problem a few times when assembling sides they were very weak at reserve.The likes of Reid,Gledhill, S.Collins, Leaver, Fry, Bostin (etc) found it very difficult.

Tell you something Steve i didn't even mind the old black leathers and monkey mask.You could still usually tell a rider by his riding style, nowadays alot of the riders styles look similar.

I was a fan of Chris city really enjoyed watching him ride and in those days riders had there own identity Chris, Ivan, Broady, Boy Blue , John Davis come to mind.

Erik broke a leg early at Wolves and as you said Kristian/ Steve picked up nasty injuries amazing they won anything with that handicap.For me it was the Squad that was decent Perks averaged over 6 Les Rumsey was very useful and the young promising John Hack got his chance it really shows you how strong our league was then.

That side cannot be that far behind the 83 side Steve ? what a squad of riders they had. Penhall, Erik, Phil, Alan, Kristian, Steve,Boogaloo, Dave Perks, John Hack, Les Rumsey..

Yes a real shame that and you have to ask yourself were Chris, PC, Mort treated shabbily by Belle Vue in later years.

He was also very good in Aussie and he really was a top class grasstracker as well.Never really enjoyed his Halifax career remember Chris scoring a 15 point maximum at the Abbey one year and year or two later scoring 0.I remember his Polka leathers a real talent I believe he also had a nightmare spell with Weymouth.

Yes reached a British Final as a NL rider, Jan O was the one that surprised me never thought he would be a world champion of the future.For his peak years Jan O was one exciting rider to watch terrific from the back a great racer.

Pusey underachieved really some of the reasons why have been well documented in recent years.Bob for me was a terrific rider think he could of been world class he was only just below that his figures at Exeter show that he was capable of beating anybody.Yes that Cradley side was something else Ravn was the joker in the pack really stepped up.

Maybe there is a wee bit of bias there Grachan? we are talking 1983 here. Mauger, Sjosten,Collins for me as heat leaders easily stack up against Erik, Wiggy,King.I will say the Collins / Grahame partnership were awesome but Pusey at his best was a genuine second heat leader in most teams.Yes Eyre was a weak link but he was still a valuable team member for me King/ Collins/ Wigg / Grahame were never real number one riders Mauger/Sjosten/ Collins were.

Remember going to a double header at Cradley in 1983 the Budgies were murdered 60-18 and the Aces went down 55.- 23.

Scarey stuff we had some bad floods in Swindon in 2007 remember the water being above car height.Still don't think it was anywhere near as bad as what you experienced.

There were bad floods in the July as well, on record it says the 15th September 1968 was the worst day.

Mauger. Wilko, Sjosten, Collins, Pusey, Broadbelt, Eyre some line up that Steve god what a top six.

You have a superb memory City the 19th staging was cancelled 1.Briggo( the best). 2. N.Boocock. 3. Hedge a great line up assembled.

I was going through some of my programmes the other night and i was thinking the Belle Vue 1972 team and the Cradley 1983 team were the best teams that i ever saw.Adams made a superb decision in signing Peter Ravn which at the time looked a uninspiring signing he just improved out of recognition in 83.I just favour the Aces side though was Ken Eyre the weak link ?? he played his part though and came through the Dent Oliver production line.

Can you remember your first meeting City??? i can't all i remember really is all the buses in the car park afterwards.

1957 was a great year for the club Bob Roger was top dog and averaged 10.27 and with Williams, White, Middleditch the top end was strong.Something I just found out was that the club paid 50 pound that year for the great Mike Broadbank from Wembley what a bargain that was.That year Roger also challenged Peter Craven for the coverted Golden Helmet beating Peter at the Abbey but losing to him at Hyde Rd and in the decider at Norwich.

Was he a bit of a nutter Norbold ??? he was exciting no doubt put bums on seats.For me never got to think was he really was genuine world class ???? not his fault of course .I think myself personally he was very very ,quick a slight fellow worth the admission money alone think he scored 12 at Swindon in 72 for Poole got his autograph that day looked a little weak guy great balance though.

How good Norbold ?? for me he was an outstanding talent never see loads of him a real regret of mine still have his prized autograph.

Yes never did ask him why , he loved Oxford on his day he could be decent at Cowley once beat Hans in heat 1 there in a three team tournament.

A unique style Smithy really upright as you said very underrated he showed that in the 1989 Briggo series still had it very competitive.Steve did Pete fall out at Poole once? stopped going hope they resolved there differences a great role model for the sport.

I thought Malcolm made a mistake not going back to Oxford in 1978 Steve don't know what happened there.Ended up having a injury ravaged career at Milton Keynes for me Malcolm was never suited to NL speedway so full time BL speedway was his future.Remember Oxford having Caulwell, Ackroyd, Hack, Pip Oxford were great with young riders a good track to learn on always remember seeing the classy David Shields ( reminiscent of the original PC.)

20 th September 1972 Bob, unbelievable Christer rode at number seven that night against Belle Vue he scored paid 14, from seven outings.The first occasion that i went to Poole was in 1974 v the classy Exeter side never forget it an exciting evening.Loved the racing the atmosphere and what a week's holiday that was a beautiful part of the country two nights speedway thrown in as well Poole and got back for the Abbey on a Saturday.

Bob yes Smithy is up there with Barry Thomas as one of the most entertaining riders i see over the years.I loved clubs who pushed continuity through that reasoning give me a chance to see the likes of Hitch, Duke, Keen, over a long period. None of them superstars but they are our bread and butter riders of our sport your great club had Smith, Lewis, Middlo senior and son ) as great role models.