chunky

Of course they did; they were under the same promotion as Harrubgay! Steve

Of course, looking at the post-war situation, how many of the speedway tracks were actually controlled by the GRA? Obviously, the speedway decline has - certainly in some ways - mirrored the decline in dog racing... Steve

I can confirm prodons' post about the the two individuals being the driving force behind the revival... It's mentioned on another thread; some legal issue... Steve

My mum used to go FIVE nights a week - in London! Wimbledon (Monday), West Ham (Tuesday), New Cross (Wednesday), Wembley (Thursday), and Harringay (Friday). Sigh... Steve

When studying results from that time period, you have to remember that: 1) Formats were very different from today, and 2) Records may not be complete. Taking the meeting on Monday, June 16, what I would glean from the information given is that there were FOUR separate events; the Stadium Open Handicap (7 races, including two semis and a final), a Junior Knockout Scratch Race, two Star Match Races (between Ginger Lees and Harold Stevens), and the Stadium Scratch Races (7 heats including two semis and a final). The details of these events and heat numbers are self-explanatory, but may appear confusing as results are clearly incomplete. As far as Pat Biddle, he clearly rode in the Stadium Scratch Races, finishing second to Ginger Lees in his heat, and his semi-final, then finishing last in the final. It is quite possible that he rode in the Handicap event also, but did not make it out of his heat. Steve

He's probably thinking of Errol Brown of Hot Chocolate, norbold!!! Steve

Graham rode for Belle Vue in 1959 and 60, then came back to Sunderland in 64. He also rode for Newcastle, Glasgow, and finally Cradley. Steve

Um, that's why they were "unsung" heroes... Funny you should mention Steen Mastrup; I think he was a much better rider than most people would give him credit for. Of course, he wasn't around that long, and is undoubtedly forgotten by many. Steve

Seeing that most of the time, it was self-inflicted, I don't think that he could be classed as "unlucky"!!! Moggo is a mate, so he won't mind me saying that! Anyway, he had a long and fairly successful career, so I don't think he would complain. Steve

Well, listening to Briggo talking about dear old Billy, in New Zealand, "Sanders" is apparently pronounced "Saunders"... Steve PS Don't forget PC's Henrik "Gustafferson"...

Oh, I see; you were just looking at a terrible individual season, rather than a terrible British career! Of course, another rider who failed consistently was Wimbledon's own Patrick Pawson... Steve

Again, as I mentioned in another thread, Claes Jensen has perhaps (I haven't really checked) the worst record in British speedway; one point from 13 matches. I did see him at Plough Lane. Halifax's Adam Olkiewicz hasn't been mentioned yet, and he was poor. Sadly seems he passed away in 2008 at the young age of 54. Another was Norwegian Sigvart Pedersen. While he failed to reach the 2.00 figure in 16 matches, from what I saw of him, he did look better than that. Jiri Hnidak was one of the few real Czech failures (at King's Lynn in 1982). There were a lot who didn't really get a chance to shine, although it's doubtful that they would have impressed at all. These include Jan Puk, Jozef Kafel, Lars Ericsson, Rauli Makinen, Marek Kepa, Christoph Betzl, Uno Johansson, and Bernt Odermatt. Steve

Oops! I misread that! Okay, that's probably why it didn't ring a bell... Steve

Thanks for the confirmation. Strange thing is, I really don't remember THAT Finn, and I have yet to find any mention of him in the Poole team for that year, but I certainly don't doubt you! Now, Claes Jensen... One point from 13 matches/29 rides, I think? Could that be the WORST EVER record in British speedway? Perhaps a new thread? Steve

Yeah, I've found a couple of examples, and I would agree... Steve

Sorry for a late response, but are you sure that was "Finn" Jensen? I remember an extremely poor Claes Jensen... While there was the famous enigma Finn Jensen, the other Finn Jensen (at Arena, I think) wasn't too bad. Steve

You beat me to it!!! Steve

Not that I was there. but I remember that! Final score was 62-46, and the pair of them scored 40 out of 46! Steve

Something a little different, but worth a mention, I think... While riding for Hastings in 1948 and 49 (their only two seasons), Jock Grierson faced Poole in seven team matches. In those seven, he recorded SIX 12-point maximums, and one nine-point return (2, 2, 3, 2)... Yep, Poole must have hated him! Steve

I think you can add Alan Wilkinson to that group, with a 12-point max for Rochdale on 4th June, 1971, followed by a Silver Helmet defeat of George Barclay. While we're on the subject of Rochdale, Vaclav Verner made an appearance at the track on 9th August 1970, and top-scored for Young Czechoslovakia with an 18-point max. He never went back... Only a challenge, I know, but Willie Templeton posted a 15-pointer at Dunmore on 8th July, 1968, for Scotland against Belfast. Steve

Long Eaton's Tony Lomas scored a 12-point maximum on his one visit to Doncaster (BL2) on 27th July, 1969. Exeter's Len Silver scored a 12-point maximum on his one visit to Bradford Greenfields (PL) on 1st June, 1962. Almost, but not quite... Also at Greenfields in 1962, Eric Boothroyd made three official appearances; a 15pt max (PL) on 4th May, a 12pt max (PL) on 25th September, and a 14pt return (from a possible 15) in the PL Riders' Championship QR. On 8th May, 1948, Wally Green scored a 12pt maximum for Hastings at Hull's Hedon Stadium in a National League Div 3 contest. Steve

Strangely enough, i came oh-so-close to mentioning Russ! He too is a perfect example... I think Knutson wore one in the 1948 British Riders Championship, along with kevlars sponsored by Monster. Of course, Knutson too was an "unsung hero"... Steve

Not that it's that unusual on here, but again, I feel that the original subject matter has got a little lost as the thread has progressed. Again, I don't doubt the sentiments, but I find it difficult to accept riders like Norman Hunter and Mike Broadbank, and Jack Biggs as "unsung heroes". Multiple world finalists and World Team Cup gold medalists are hardly what I would consider to be "unsung heroes". When I think of the term, I don't immediately think of international stars, or even established BL heat-leaders; I think of men like Stan Stevens. I think of Norman Storer, Jim Tebby, Harry Edwards, and Nigel Leaver. I think of Geoff Powell, Mike Keen, Jim Burdfield, Alby Golden, and Kevin Brice... Steve

Briggo definitely wore a full-face in 1969; not sure if he was wearing one before then... Steve

Firstly, I think it is harsh to even think about directly comparing the two. Since the sport first began, there has been organised - and high quality - league speedway at numerous venues across Britain; you can't say that about New Zealand at all. Of course, the late sixties and early seventies was a real boom period for the Kiwis, but I think that was the result of the post-war success on the world stage, albeit due to a relatively small number of riders. Ronnie and Briggo were the main men, but of course, Geoff Mardon, Trevor Redmond, and Ron Johnston were quality performers. Still, it wasn't until Ivan followed in their footsteps that there was a major influx of New Zealanders in British speedway. In addition to those already mentioned, look at who appeared in the BL in the first ten or so years of the BL. Wayne Briggs, Colin McKee, Graham Coombes, and Bill Andrew were followed by Bruce Cribb, Allan Brown, Colin Tucker, Bill Moulin, Bernie Lagrosse, Graeme Smith, Rick Timmo, Terry Shearer, Dave Whittaker, Murray Burt, Frank Shuter, Gary Peterson, Roger Wright, Colin Farquharson, Larry Ross, Mike Fullerton, Robin Adlington etc (plus non-natives Andrews, Gifford, and Shirra). None of them world-beaters (Ross and Shirra were closest), but all accomplished riders, but above all, a steady supply of talent. Then, by the mid-80's, things had changed, and other than David Bargh, and the two Marks - Thorpe and Lyndon - there was very little in the way of quantity or quality. I know things go in cycles, but it is disturbing just how it got, and in particular, how not one rider of any real potential has emerged. Yes, things aren't great in the UK, but I don't think there is any reason to compare it to what has happened in New Zealand. Steve