Custom House Kid

Can only be one man! Sverre Harrfeldt I would add Ray Wilson! And perhaps Christer Lofqvist (only saw him for about a season and a half) Another one who I admired O Olsen (not a fan Though) Out of the top boys at the time I'd go for Briggo over I Mauger (again not much of a fan if either ! Too succsesfull perhaps!)

Pants ! all geared up for some crap racing then ! Who thought that one up!

I stood with ML and Pammie that night, and I must say it made it quite exciting! We all predicted to move about 2 races earlier which added to the excitement and kept Pammie quite

It was a 8:0 at IOW by the way! and yes i dont think its fair

Perhaps the PL fans may see some of the pitfalls then! As I posted previously, as a born again supporter the rules today do not encourage a new supporter as they are too confusing ! Also this is my first season watching speedway since 1971 and I have chosen to go to my local track ! I do not for the life of me get this us and them thing between leagues ! good speedway is good wherever you ride! Lets look at this as our sport not our league!

Woulda,shooda,couda, if only ! bring it on jblanch69

I took a mate to watch Arena v Sheffield in the KO cup last season! He had not been to Speedway since 1971 although he enjoyed the meeting and said he may go again! He had a problem with the green helmet colour of course, but he had a major problem with tack subs gold tack subs and 15yd supa subs. In his opinion it was all too confusing! as well as trying to keep up with agregate score He did not fill in his prog and relied on me for scores etc not wise As it was my first season back and I did'nt have a clue either:lol:

I say give it a try!

"Golden Joker. Riders nominated to score double points when 8 points down. Can only be used twice." If riders nominated prior to hostilitys what if rider/riders injured during meeting ?

"Golden Joker. Riders nominated to score double points when 8 points down. Can only be used twice." If riders nominated prior to hostilitys what if rider/riders injured during meeting ?

EL 10 EL clubs 2 home 2 away = 36 meetings Seems ok but may run into trouble Grading system - could be ok need more detail 2 rider from the P/L will can be used to for 1 position in the team. – Double up riders will only be for ACU permit holders riders and who have not previously achieved an EL average of 5 or above. I think this is ok PL 15 clubs. ok 45 points ok Premier Trophy is back not sure Both Leagues No Tac Subs! Sucks Golden Joker. Riders nominated to score double points when 8 points down. Guest Rules Sucks Only the top rider can be replaced by a guest the other riders will be replaced by Rider Replacement Agree I think

Stan the man one in the same! Had a long career, started in East Anglia I believe I’m shore Norbold can fill you in (or can recommend a book )

West Ham Last raced at Custom House in 1971! the last meeting was in 1972 West Ham Bombers, formerly Romford! I used to watch Romford at brooklands but never even thought of watching the Bombers at West Ham! all very sad :-( :-( :-( :-( see also http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forum/view...opic.php?t=5400

Program Notes buy Paul Parish. Editor: Speedway Star & News . Remembers those who failed to return from lokeren 20th Sept 1970 Lokeren Memorial Trophy! Everyone knew Phil Bishop. He was that sort of man. Anywhere speedway has been staged the name of Phil Bishop was famous. Typical of the universal popularity was the inclusion of an action picture of Phil in this year’s (1970)World Final program from Poland. But looking back on a career of 42yrs in speedway it was little wonder that he became so famous-more famous than men that have become World Champion! Phil rode nearly everywhere speedway was staged and was disappointed by the fact that he never had the chance to appear in Japan of the Soviet Union. His Speedway racing life started at High Beech in 1928 when he took part in the meeting that is popularly favored as Britains first look at dirt track racing. Phil would recall he fell off! In the ensuing years Phil became aquatinted with as many hospitals as he had countries. He broke every bone in his body at some stage of his racing career. When the time came for him to retire from riding Phil a wheelwright by trade, became a keen administrator. He linked with West Ham as team manager where his experience and fatherly guidance were invaluable to the young men at his command. He retained a link with Holland where his track deeds had made him a hero. It was from one of his trips to Holland-the last for speedway, he had said- that this most horrible tragedy occurred. Phil Bishop pioneer, sportsman and gentleman, will be remembered whenever the sound of a speedway engine can be herd. Instant successes are rare in speedway. But in its own way, Peter Bradshaw’s 1st appearance in Britain was one of those occasions. It was for Kings Lynn’s second team in 1969 and Peter did well enough to show that Lynn that he was Division One material. After that he stayed in the top flight and earned his international colours. At the beginning of 1970 season the good looking man from Melbourne switched to West Ham. It was a move that delighted him. With a wife and son he settled down in Britain, living near Harlow. His Stay at west Ham was all too brief. During that time he broke a collar bone and it was not long after he had been declared fit to race again that the tragedy of Lokeren befell him. It takes courage to come half way round the world to try your luck in speedway. But Malcolm Carmichael., another young man from Melbourne , did that without very little warning. He palled up with Roy Trigg in Australia and in fact was living with Triggy in South London at the time of the Lokeren tragedy. It was Trigg who suggested that Mal should try his luck in Britain. A Number of tracks gave the young Aussie a chance in their second halves, Including West Ham. It seemed that a team place in either Division 0ne or Two wouldn’t be too long coming. Phil Bishop invited Mal on the trip to Holland and he accepted any chance of a ride, any chance to broaden his experience. It is Ironic that Carmicheal’s story should run on a similar lines to that of Dave wills (another tragedy), a young Australian who tried his luck with West Ham six years earlier, only to die to a track crash at Custom House. Charichael was keen to succeed. He was never given the chance. Popular wherever he traveled. That was Gary Evertt, the Wimbledon rider who made a fateful guest appearance in West Hams colours on the trip to Lokeren. Everyone liked Gary and his loss came at a time when he was establishing himself as a vital part of Wimbledon’s league and cup double bid. His first association with motorcycles was on the scramble circuits but he moved on to speedway where he first made a name for at Hackney before deciding that it might be better for his future if he had a change of track. It was then that Gary, Married for only a year before his death, made the move across London to Wimbledon. He quickly fitted into the way of life at Plough Lane and his friendly personality endeared him to Dons fans Surprisingly ||Gary had been riding league speedway for no more than two and a half seasons. Who will ever weather he would become a leading figure in the sport he loved? England had already honored Martyn Piddock at full international level. That after just two years of racing experience. Piddock was one of the new brigade. A product of division Two a young man set for great things in speedway life. In Kent he was a grass tracker of no mean ability and when Canterbury opened at the beginning of 1968 Martyn was immediately put in their team. All the time he was being kept on West Ham’s short list for future stardom and after two years of Division Two grooming he moved into custom house. The miserable luck that haunted West Ham even before Lokeren an extra burden on this young man and it said much of his ability that he became a valuable point scoring member of the hammers septet. The way was clear for Martyn to reach the speedway heights. Alas, we shall never know weather he was one Englishman who could have challenged the world.

West Ham Held a Memorial Meeting on Sunday 20th Sept 1970 still have the Programme! Line up! G Hay 6pts, M Ashby (Hackney) 13pts,R Trigg (Cradley Heath) 4pts, O Nygren 6pts, C Lofqvist 14 pts, I Mauger(Belle Vue) 15 pts, D Gifford (Newcastle) 1pt, B Harkins (Wembly) 5pts, R Wilson (Leicester) 8pts, M Simmons (Kings Lynn) 9pts, T Clarke 8pts, Barry Briggs (Swindon) 12pts, A Casper 2pts, K Mckinlay (Coventry) 1Pt, T Betts (Kings Lynn) 10pts, R France (coventry) 2pts Reserve S Harrfeldt 1Pt, D Piddock DNR Not a bad line up :!:

What was the attraction of Ramsgate then Steve, not the cockles surely? ;-) Lets hope it was'nt the Crabs :!: :clown

Yes! I think it's Wembly with D Lanning comentating !

You should have come and said hello! I was the small kid on the back straight munching on a giant hot dog! Liontamer no :roll:

Thanks for the info! (What is your source!) Both photos have Blackpool July 8th 1950 Fleetwood Speedway on the back! must be a mistake :? I could hire it out to you, but i might be accussed of being a pimp! :clown

Don't forget Dave Wills, killed on 22 June. Anyway, the point of this posting is to say, I agree, CHK, it does look a lot like Stan's style. Wait till I get home and look up my programmes. 1965, what a year for the Hammers! I was there that night what a tragedy! :-( :-(

OMG! I think I'm turning into a Nicki Pedersen Fan :!: What a great attitude last night. Lets hope he has grown up !

Have just found the Photos again. Date 8th July 1950 :!: Anyone know what the fixture was and any scores :?: By the way i did not take the photos (not that old). Taken by my late aunt !

Steve View Picture 3 not such a crush to get out now !

Sorry! The computer went down on me, The wife got the hump with me! (Liontamer NO) and i uploaded a picture see my webhots ! oh! well done newxranger nearly there Sean