Sidney the robin

In that meeting Steve, Swindon beat Sheffield 44.-34 and lost 35.43 to Reading.Ashby beat Michanek in heat 1 a rare feat as Michanek was great in 73 also the late Geoff Curtis scored paid 10 and the late Mad Jack Millen rode and scored a point remember it being a big crowd.

I can remember seeing this great Sheffield side ride in a double header with the Racers at the Abbey in 1973. I can remember Reg Wilson tangling with Mike Keen resulting in Mike breaking a collarbone.

Totally agree with the Flint statement , but you don't have to be the greatest rider to be able to pass invaluable experience on.Often the advice given could be on the mechanical side or how to prepare yourself better for meetings.In yesteryear often the best captains and motivaters were riders who were no superstars themselves but could motiavate and get the best out of others.

How do riders keep sharp ? by just riding one league sometimes getting only three rides.Ledwith has a place at Kent and his experience is invaluable.I know what you are trying to say the NL is not designed to cater for that sort of rider but for me if it makes the league stronger that has got to be good.

Gilkes can be a genuine number one with. Ledwith capable of better Jenkins has the ability to be a third heat leader. Miulford is a really exciting prospect along with the young talented Hagon as well it looks a really exciting team.

Kemp and Flint looking really sharp, good experience for young Edwards as well both Kemp and Flint should be looking to put at least two points on there Championship average this year.

I thought Jason retired because of those bad burns that he got racing a great rider and he must put a few on the gate.Since his retirement he has done some laps testing and at a guess??? i recon he has done at least six meeting's Darcy Ward's being one of them.

If he failed before because of his shortcomings of not noing the rulebook properly If will address that problem no doubt.Havelock also is a bubbly character good for moral and he will get the respect of the riders mainly because of what he achieved as a rider.

He will be fine Skidder i am not a fan of Poole's but Middlo and Havvy are two who do take stick on this forum but for me i like both.I only met Neil a couple of times to speak to in the eighties ( not at a meeting) and he was down to earth and a decent guy and Havvy will be fine.

Yes you are right Steve, Wilson/Wyer came through the system from div two Reg at Worky Doug at Berwick.Then Bob Valentine came along he was a very good rider until he got injured can't remember how ?? hand gliding i think? he was never the same rider after that.

In 1973 Rick finished on a 6.85 average for Sheffield he finished seventh in the averages behind Paulson 6.92. Larsson 7.08 what a strong one to seven they were.

It was one hell of a achievement BOBBATH for Rick to quality from the 1967 West Ham British Final for the world final.In a way it was an equivalent of Martin Yeates qualifying from Coventry to the Overseas final at Belle Vue in 1984 the underdog prevailing Rick did achieve more though. Briggs 15, France, Mauger, Wilson. E.Boocock, Pratt ( did brilliant) qualified--- non qualifiers were Trigg, Ashby, Maidment, Betts, Hedge, Airey, Luckhurst, N.Boocock,Broadbank, Hunter great days.

Totally agree Steve that is why the core of the 2020 Robins team of Doyle,Batchelor,Jensen,Ellis, Perks is refreshing to see some sort of continuity from last season.

From 1964- 68 the Coventry top four or five was always from a pool of the same riders, Boocock,Mountford,Lightfoot,France,Cottrell,.Then in the late 60s when Lightfoot and Mountford retired Mckinlay and Lomas came on board.

No problem Addio, funny thing is i had forgotten just how good a rider Ron Mountford was .My uncle who first took me to speedway had his favourites and his favourite bee from the late 60s was Col Cottrell.I could not quite understand that as Boy Blue was the man and he has to be one of the most exciting riders i have ever seen ride.

Could not be bothered to go through both rider's race record's before 1965 Addio but here are a few interesting facts Les Owen 1965-73 - rode in 235 matches. Ron Mountford 1965-72 - rode in 158 matches so your hunch on Mountford was right averaging less than twenty meeting's a year.

I did not know that about Les Owen Addio the eye injury !!! he did get 3 England caps and in the early 60s especialy1961 was going really well before breaking his collarbone badly.Harrhy had three more seasons at Brandon 1974/75/76 and one season at Stoke in 1978 after his serious injury.

Coventry v Cradley midland cup 16/05/73. John Harrhy and Les Owen were involved in a horrific crash in which Harrhy was excluded.This crash gave Les Owen life threatening injuries and Harrhy ended up with a broken neck in which resulted in Coventry running R/R for Harrhy in most of the remaining fixtures of that season.

Les Owen rode from 1957- 1973 for the Coventry Bees a real stalwart for the club which is nearly unheard of these days.I read that Les and Col Smith both used to turn up at the Brandon stadium and try to get a few laps in until the great Charles Ochiltree chucked them out.Mr Ochiltree told them both if they went through the right channels ( i.e.) the training school they would both be considered the rest is history.I know when you think of Coventry you think of the great Booey boy blue and rightly so and in later years Olsen/ Knudsen but LesOwen, Roger Hill, Ron Mountford, always make me remember that brilliant Coventry race jacket RIP Les.

Kurtz and Bowtell for me Skidder your side would look pretty vulnerable with those two making up the side.I presume Poole are not going to get a Hansen,Kvech, Gilmore (etc) I think they will try to take a punt on a Aussie probably Keleher.Without getting the targets they wanted i would of gone for Jeppesen/ Hume for the last two options.

I like Nicol and i think he could have a longterm future at Wolves but you are right Nichols at reserve say would of been a great move.I presumed Nicol would get a place in a stronger team meaning he had no real pressure now that scenario has changed.On the plus side if Douglas can up his home form in Becker,Douglas,Nicol they three riders who could feature regularly for the Wolves in years to come.

I think Hans could average between 6.50/ 7.00 but if he comes back lighter and fitter he might even average more.He is not the rider of old and I know he is not as quick these days but his trackcraft and his riding of clever lines are still there.He had a few bad smashes but his race at Belle Vue with Dan Bewley earlier in the season was a brilliant race showing he still has the craft.

A balancing act really Bagpuss, you want to be entertained but i would imagine all tracks have 70 per cent of fans who just want to see there team win.Would you want to see dross everyweek but be happy if your team win? for me entertainment comes first everytime.Going back to your home strip is your track to grippy for the modern day bike now? i personally dont know the answer myself.I haven't seen live racing at King's Lynn since 1989 but then it was definately in the top 4 tracks in Britain the World team cup rounds were superb there.

If your track is slicker you could even be vulnerable at home.If it is the norm you should be hard to beat at home away that will be a different ball game Lambo to be back on it this season Webby.!!!

Cant see Lynn's side getting in the top four Lambert , Cook , Riss have to score 30 plus every meeting.