chunky

Wombwell Colliers 1947, 1948 Hanley were the "Potters". Steve

Hey Miro, that was cool; we posted the same thing at the same time! Steve

Not so, my friend. Even though they did not have a track of their own (the local Town and Country Planning Committee had previously accepted their proposal for a track, but this was eventually denied by the County Committee), the team actually rode in a number of matches, including several BL II fixtures, as Rochester. It wasn't until May that, still without a home venue, they managed to acquire Brooklands, thus becoming Romford. Steve

Sorry, I did it again; you're absolutely right! Dunno why I keep hitting the 8 instead of the 9... Steve

I'm also not sure about Barrow. According to the book, National League Speedway 1968-1977, the 1972 Barrow team were called the "Bombers". However, I seem to remember them being known as the "Happy Faces" due to their sponsorship from Duckham's. Can anyone confirm that their official nickname was indeed, the "Happy Faces"? Steve

HammerS not Hammer. CanteRbury, not CanteNbury. HigHwaymen with a second "H" SaxonS not Saxon. CheetAHs not Cheethas. RochDAle not RochADle TigerS not Tiger ScORchers not Scrochers Also, Glasgow Ashfield rode in 1952. The Exeter Devonair Falcons don't need to be separated from the rest of Exeter's history; they were still the Falcons. It would be very confusing if we started separating teams because of sponsors. For instance, Wimbledon were always the Dons (true, not Eastbourne, Brett!!!), even though they were the L.B.C. Dons, Chalfont Dons, Montine Dons, GMB Dons etc. Steve

I forgive ya... Of course, I just made a faux pas also, saying 1968 instead of '69... Oh, and Wilman70, here are some more corrections : Romford Bombers 1968 - 1971 Middlesbrough were the "Teessiders" from 1968 - 1970, becoming the Teesside "Teessiders" from 1971 - 1973, before changing to the Teesside "Tigers" in 1974. Teams that have been left out are : Ringwood "Turfs" 1954 Southern Rovers 1956 Rayleigh Rovers 1957 Steve

'Ang on, norbold; what about 1968 - 1974??? Surely that should read "1968 - 1990" for the Eagles? Steve

Should read "Foxes" not "Foxies". What about 1988-1991? Oops, sorry Brett; just realised you've already mentioned that... Wolverhampton were the Wolves for a much longer period than just 1978. The Devonair Falcons were simply the Exeter Falcons with their sponsor being Devonair. I don't believe that Newcastle were the Federation Specials in 1966, and you will find that Hackney were the Hawks long before 1971, Odsal were the "Boomerangs", not Bommerangs. Steve

Funnily enough, I thought he may have been a New Zealander, but the Speedway Star Annual from both 1969 and 1970 list him as English. Steve

Didn't ring any bells here either, and the name (or anything similar) didn't appear in Peter Morrish's book anywhere from 1946 to 1964. All I can think of is that he MAY have been a novice/second-halfer. I will tell you, I'm always a little suspicious when people start telling me things, when it is clear that names/tracks/dates/events don't even begin to tally ie Harringay and Wembley in 1958! Steve

Some good stuff here, and I was wondering who would mention people like Messrs Mockford, Greene, Silver, Knott, Foote, etc. Also, Harry Shepherd... Keep 'em coming! Steve

Okay, here's another one to get you thinking... Reading the thread on Lew Coffin gave me the idea for this; whether they are riders, promoters, or whatever, what people do you think deserve recognition for what they have done for the sport, and why? Here's my starting list... Lew Coffin (see other thread!) Johnnie Hoskins - Regardless of opinions/facts about the early meetings, one has to admit that he did a great deal to help get speedway established in the UK. Ole Olsen - Not only was he a great rider, he really helped establish the sport in his native Denmark, and even after he quit riding, was the brainchild behind the SGP. Sir Arthur Elvin - A great friend of speedway, and promoter at Wembley Stadium. Barry Briggs - One of the greatest PR men the sport has seen, and like Olsen, continued to have a great impact on speedwway after his retirement with the Golden Greats, and even the dirt deflector. Dr Carlo Biagi - The speedway doctor, who helped so many riders overcome their injuries during his long and distinguished career. Neil Street - Instrumental in the development of the 4-valve engine. Steve

Okay, it's time to clarify again... Sorry Tarabanko (and others), but if you go back and reread my original post, this thread was not intended to list those who suffered tragic career-ending injuries. This is for those, such as Dave Morton, Ronnie Genz, Tommy Knudsen (excellent example, incidentally) and others who simply got knocked back one or more times when they could possibly have gone on to greater things; those who carried on riding AFTER their injuries (sometimes serious, sometimes just niggling little things), pehaps not quite fulfilling the potential they possessed before the accident. Sorry if I seem a little pedantic, but that's the way I started the topic. Steve PS Thanks to all who have posted some excellent cases here.

Haven't got full details (yet) but Gary Ford died in September 1995. I'll keep looking. Steve

You're absolutely right, it was Shirra and Niemi. Don't forget that Kelvin Mullarkey decked the starting marshal at Plough Lane! Steve

I only got to Cradley once, Leicester once, and Halifax once, but I did enjoy them all, particularly - as has been said - the banking at the Shay. Of the regular away tracks, I used to love going to Hackney (apart from the poxy drive), West Ham, and of course, the old Belle Vue. Hyde Road really was something special. Steve

Tony was another who had a number of serious injuries. He usually bounced back pretty well, but how much better would he have done without constantly having his career interrupted? I still remember seeing the photo on the cover of the Ipswich programme when he broke his thigh - yuk!!! Steve

Thanks for the plug!!! Steve

Dave was another I thought of this morning, but you managed to post it before me. He was a little overshadowed by Chris, but after such a brilliant 1976, I thought he was really going to hit the big time. Steve

Don't forget Mike Ferreira, and a little later, Dave Steen. Steve

I certainly agree with you there. Steve

Again, some more interesting names, and I was pleased to see Chris Louis and Steve Clarke mentioned. As I said though, this topic isn't really about the Alan Wilkinsons and Joe Owens who had their careers ended in a track crash; it's about the riders who just seemed to suffer an injury (or injuries) that simply seemed to knock them back. Thanks to everyone for their input though, and let's keep the names coming! Steve

Just added David Blackburn (12) to the list. Steve

Tony broke his kneecap riding for Romford AT Plymouth in 1969, after he had spent the previous season at Pennycross. He did make five appearances for Romford in 1970, but made little impact. Also Bobbath, with regard to Les Owen, he actually had a couple of really bad smashes, including his last which left him partially paralysed. I saw Les at the 2000 British GP at Coventry (not too long before his tragic death, I think), and was shocked and saddened to see how bad he looked. Steve