Parsloes 1928 nearly

Look lay off please - actually there are very few riders indeed still actively riding Speedway who appeared for the Dons in the 2002-'05 period. But I can assure you that at least four of the team will be either riders who didindeed wear that most famous of race jackets in that CL period or rode regular 'second halves' at Plough Lane in that time. This is a good connection I'd respectfully suggest. We also know that for the first time since very soon after closure in 2005 there are actually proper talks going on which COULD see the return to track of the Wimbledon club. There's a thread in the General section on this and I can assure you after speaking this week to one of the parties involved, this is a very real, ongoing prospect. Yes, a reasonably long way atm from becoming reality but there's something very positive happening. Other clubs that have returned/tracks reopened have often done so after sides using the name (but not necessarily ex-riders) have ridden challenge matches (egs are Scunthorpe, Weymouth, Rye House) so I really think instead of sniping and speculation there should be (for once in BSF history!) some positivity about this..

Ah cheers mate! You're a Diamond!!!

Cheers. There was a Maurice Crang too who rode in the CL for Cleveland.. What's his relationship?

Hi there. Can anyone tell me what relation Coventry Storm rider Luke is to the Crangs who rode for clubs in the north-east previously? Ta muchly.

That's sad news about the 'Master'. I wish Wayne a speedy recovery.

A comparative newcomer...?! Funny then that you posted THIS the other day!!

Strange

Clapton Orient DID have a nearby ground. They played as I said from 1900 at Millfields which is extremely near and only moved to Lea Bridge stadium for a couple of years. You are the one who said Clapton FC played nearby. They did not then any more than they do now. As I say you only have to admit that your comment about Clapton FC was completely incorrect but in typical BSF style you'd rather be rude about a fellow poster than admit your mistake. It's the main reason why so many people now don't bother with 'debate' on this Forum.

A typical BSF refusal to admit being wrong!! The Clapton ground you said was a few yards away - it's not, it's a completely different part of east London!! I'm not in the slightest confused! I know EXACTLY where the old Lea Bridge dog track was, where Leyton's Hare & Hounds ground is and where Clapton FC have played for well over 100 years!! Clapton Orient played at the Millfields Rd ground from 1900 until the early 1930s and briefly shared Lea Bridge Stadium (the dog track) for just a handful of years in the '30s. So I stand corrected as the two sports therefore did co-exist for that short while. Please note: I can accept when wrong.; shame you can't and had instead to lie and be rude!

Sorry mate but you're way out here. Can't swear about Lea Bridge but I do believe the ground Clapton Orient played at wasn't the dog track; BUT over Clapton FC you're totally wrong. Clapton do play (still) at a ground called the Old Spotted Dog (though sadly the pub's closed...) but this is in Forest Gate - nowhere near Lea Bridge Rd. You're thinking of Leyton FC (previously Leyton Wingate) whose ground (sadly closed since a year or so back!) is indeed a few yards from the site of the former Lea Bridge Speedway & Dog track - that ground is named after a pub, the Hare & Hounds!!

Well there was Custom House - the track went round the pitch of the infamous Thames Assoc's pitch there originally. Don't think you're right about Lea Bridge though. The dog track/Speedway NOT the same as Clapton Orient's nearby football ground. And the track at Crystal Palace was around the ground used for FA Cup Finals pre-Wembley.

Keep up - the Kings won the Tunnel Trophy vs Rye House Raiders earlier this season too!!

The NL is not a 'training league'... It's a third division.

Hmm, kinda tricky replying to your postings when you say something then immediately claim you, er, didn't say it!!!!!

Where on earth do you get this idea from that Sam's average is too high His average is at the statutory minimum of 3.00 (in other words actually lower but set at 3.00) so there can be no issue of it being too high!

It's the home ground of a very famous football club Kingstonian (in Kingston-upon-Thames) - somewhat ironically considering the Wimbledon FC story, AFC have done something of a cuckoo act by taking over someone's else's ground...

Some of you may already be aware that Paschal Taggart has made a bid with National Asset Management Agency (Ireland) for the development of the Wimbledon Stadium site in Plough Lane for a new state of the art greyhound stadium. Wimbledon Club Chairman when the track closed in 2005, Ian Perkin has had communications with Paschal's legal counsel and if the bid is successful she has indicated that Paschal would be interested in discussing with the previous promotion whether there might be a suitable opportunity for allowing Speedway racing to take place in the new stadium. This is a very long way from actually making this a reality, but clearly this potential development represents the only real prospect of Speedway ever returning to Plough Lane, given that the present owners of the site, Risk Capital Partners and Galliard Homes are trying to maximise the value of the site by putting forward a proposal that would see the end of any multi-sport use. Merton Council have designated the site for the Intensification of Sport and Leisure, but the fight that Paschal's proposals have is making sure that the Council applies total impartiality to the bids being put forward, particularly regarding the AFC Wimbledon bid which would also see the end of any motor sport at Wimbledon Stadium. Where Speedway fans can help and particularly those who live within Merton and the Greater London Area is to write to the Leader of Merton Council and the Mayor of London to make the case for a multi-use stadium that could be potentially used by all the family for a range of sports. In writing in support of the development we have the opportunity of demonstrating to Paschal Taggart the level of support there is for Speedway racing in Wimbledon and hopefully help secure with the local planning authorities approval to a stadium development that keeps alive the possibility of one day the sport returning to Plough Lane. The contact details if you want to help with this project are listed below. Cllr Stephen Alambritis Leader of the Council London Borough of Merton Merton Civic Centre London Road Morden, SM4 5DX Email: stephen.alambritis@merton.gov.uk Boris Johnson Mayor of London Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen's Walk More London London SE1 2AA By email: mayor@london.gov.uk (please also provide your postal address in the emails)

Blimey, 116 pages?! Would take the whole 90 minutes to read that much!!

Steve Boxall having a good week! Lowered the six and a half year all-time Mildenhall track record to 49.6 seconds today!!

'Red Hamley'..? Sounds what they sell on the deli in Streatham Market!!!

Hmm, massive defeat for the Kings.. Here's a question though, has any rider ever scored a higher percentage of a team total than Steve Boxall's 56.25% today?

Think of all the hot food takeaways you can see from the top deck of the bus as it wends its way down Streatham High St., gustix... Then think what happens to folk who spend their time frequenting them... You might get the 'joke' then...!!

I agree - would revamp the event to go back to the old formula of being contested/defended every meeting

So why did Birks relinquish the helmet leading to Nielsen & Reade challenging for the vacancy..?

I had heard horror stories of the GRA's attitude at the closure of White City - interesting (though very depressing) to get your 'insider' view on it, cityrebel. What kind of ignorant philistines can ride roughshod over the history of one of this country's most famous ever stadiums (an Olympic stadium remember..) ... Also how unbelievably stupid throwing out items which could've been sold for lots of money.. I understand there was Boxing memrobilia there as well as Greyhounds stuff and surely there must have been Athletics trophies etc. there too. My blood boils at how this ignorant organisation conducts itself. It beggars belief that an organisation caled the Greyhound Racing Association seems only interested in CLOSING down the country's top Dog tracks...