bulldog 77 / 78

Hi SqueakyFrekey-unusual name ! Rich was recently telling me about his dad and the interest he had with grasstrack and speedway. Hopefully I will be seeing him on Saturday so will mention this to him - unless he sees your message beforehand.

Hi Rich, thanks for the info, did you mention to him the question of `him being dead ?` you said you`d mention it - Dave

Does anyone remember Steve Gresham punching John Davis off his bike at Eastville (Bristol) back in 78?

When it comes to planning permission, not only are noise, traffic and the enviromental impact taken into consideration but also `whats in it for us` attitude by local councils ! !

Ive heard from another source recently that Derek Hole is still alive, can anyone confirm this ?

No one here has mentioned the former US number 2 - and probably the most feared.....STEVE GRESHAM. Although he had more "ups and downs"than a Blackpool donkey, he was still a good rider!

Yeah they came over in about 1947 and they judged a beauty pageant too

In 1977 at Eastville Stadium I remember the time Nigel Boococks silencer came off his bike "bounced"off the shale, flew over a 10 foot fence and hit a woman cleanly on the head - it must of hurt, but it was funny

Hi "KNOWLE" good to hear from you again. I must admit I was quite shocked myself with the news from "BASIL", Ive heard this elsewhere too - so must be true. He was young too, born in 52, I guess the injuries from crashing eventually take their toll on the body. Im surprised you mentioned the supporters club - I thought they folded years ago, I would like to know more....could you email me please with details

Went into Bath this morning, theres no Midland Road Garage....but there is a Midland Motor Company across the road from the old Green Park station, Could this be the place you are on about "KNOWLE"?

Thank you Sandman, its a terrible shame hes gone. I remember the night he and Tony Garrard paired up whilst riding at Eastville - they were the youngest pairing to ride in a league match,he was only 16 or 17 then! nowadays its common place to see youngsters that age ride !

Hi Knowle, good to hear from you again, I myself heard too that Danny Kennedy passed away recently, its a shame he was a good rider from what I can remember of him - I believe he went to Poole - or was it Weymouth mid season,do you know how he died ? I live near Bath but cant think where Midland Rd Garage is can you help ?

Thanks for that bit of info "Knowle" . They certainly were a speedway family, saw Johnny at Somerset speedway (the night they made that Bulldog video) - Dont know his son Derek is now do you ? would be nice to talk to him about his days at Eastville.....and any other members of the team for that matter!

Nash the dragon I have a photo of Tom riding for Bristol (1977) Email me if you are interested

Thanks 25yearfan, your right - must have good relations with everyone, dont want to start making enemies this early. Site visit was cancelled, will try again shortly.Waiting on a reply from the other party with the same ambitions- as he is ialso nterested with the site.

Does anyone know what happened to the riders from those two short seasons?

Youre right, he is the son of another famous "Hole" - its not Johnny or Billy, its the eldest of the brothers but cant remember his name. Last I heard he was doing well with his car business "Vine Street Motors" in BATH. But does anyone know where he is now?

Does anyone know the where- abouts or remember former 1970s Bristol rider Derek Hole ?

Theres no Greyhound tracks in Bristol Im affraid, Yeah City got a right thrashing didnt they ! ! ! - good job I dont support football.... Going back to what we discussed - Im going to the prospective site to have a talk and eye up the area- wink wink

Some good points there 25yearfan ! ! Tony Mole certainly has turned around Workington - and Belle Vue for that matter, large money returns do appear to be the motivating force with these businessmen - not love of the sport or club-a shame , but if the club can make a return and has financcial stability it cant be all that bad. . . . I think ? ps did you manage to get my email ok?

Its good news for the Brummie fans if a certain Mr Mole and the Perry Bar management can make it work, I really hope it does because like down here there are many die hard fans. Best wishes to all involved up there, maybe one day the Bulldogs and Brummies can race each other again. . .

When Mike retired from the sport he remained in Bristol and lived in Brislington near to the former KNOWLE GREYHOUND STADIUM where he and the original Bulldogs rode. His foot injury was apparently quite horiffic! but Mike played it down, he was back in the saddle 2weeks later with a specially adapted boot.There is a "BRISTOL SPEEDWAY" video available and mike is on it being interviewed at home (about 3 years ago) recalling his memoirs - and laughing about his accidents - what a stalwart for the sport !

You could be right there, it was in the mid-week Evening post, apologies.

Former Bristol Bulldog rider MIKE BEDDOE sadly passed away Wednesday 31 August 2005, he will be greatly missed, our thoughts are with his family.

Hi 25year fan,good to hear from you again, the search for a new site is still ongoing. A few of us have found a few possible sites,there is one though where the landowner is very willing to stage this on his land , but it is an ongoing pursuit and cannot reveal too much in case it should fail.....wink wink.