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Reading Bobbath's post on Leo McAuliffe, it made me think about who the best riders were, never to ride in a World Final. The riders mentioned - Tommy Miller, Charlie Monk, and Roy Trigg - are all names who surprisingly didn't make speedway's big night, but who else? Some that spring to mind are Chris Pusey, Dave Morton, Bob Valentine, Ivor Brown, Norman Hunter, Dave Younghusband, Tony Davey, Geoff Mudge, and Arne Pander. However, for me, one stands out quite clearly - Bobby Schwartz. Not only was he a rider who could sustain a 9-point CMA in the British League, but he is the only World Pairs gold medalist never to have reached the individual final, and he won that twice! I'd like to hear some of your suggestions... Steve

This is where we could have a problem... I do know that George was in Div 2, and I know that they were apparently one-offs. However, as they were not regarded as guest appearances by the said publication, I am reluctant to classify them as such. I know where you're coming from, but even back then, there were deals being done between first and second division teams, both long and short term. Unless we know the specifics of each case, it is difficult to go against what is printed. Of course, I can check back through the old Speedway Stars to see what they say. Steve

Thanks for that. Of course, I would think that the Britannia Cup would count as an "official" fixture, so I will include Norwich in the list. Steve

What I have for Wal Morton so far is: Bradford Coventry Glasgow WC Hackney Harringay Ipswich Liverpool Middlesbrough Newcastle Norwich Odsal West Ham Weymouth Wimbledon It has also been claimed elsewhere that he appeared for Motherwell, although I have been unable to find confirmation of that. Steve

According to Peter Morrish's British Speedway Leagues 1946-64 George Major did not appear in an NL fixture for Norwich. Of course, this may be an error, and if anyone could correct this with some concrete evidence, I would be grateful. Also, looking through The Complete History of the British League, George is recorded as appearing once for Belle Vue (1971), once for Glasgow (1972), and finally for Wolverhampton in both 1972 and 1973. Neither of these publications include guest appearances. Steve

Don't know why this really came to me, but I have been wondering which riders have ridden for the most British teams during their careers. A few obvious names immediately sprang to mind, and it seems that my suspicions were confirmed. I may well have missed out on an odd team or two, and I'm sure there are other riders who have been omitted. Obviously, there will be some newer names to be added, but since leaving the UK, it hasn't been quite as easy to follow who's doing what. So, here's my list, and if anyone has any new names or teams, I look forward to seeing what you have. Steve 17 - Alan Mogridge (Arena, Berwick, Bradford, Canterbury, Crayford, Eastbourne, Hackney, Ipswich, London, Middlesbrough, Peterborough, Rye House, Stoke, Swindon, Wimbledon, Wolves, Workington) 13 - George Major (Belle Vue, Birmingham, Cradley, Doncaster, Glasgow, Leicester, Neath, Newcastle, Oxford, Sheffield, St. Austell, Wolves, Weymouth) 12 - Chris Julian (Bristol, Exeter, Cradley, Glasgow, Glasgow White City, Mildenhall, Neath, Newport, Plymouth, Southampton, St. Austell, Weymouth) 12 - Ken Vale (Aldershot, Canterbury, Cradley, Eastbourne, Exeter, King’s Lynn II, Long Eaton, Neath, Newport, Oxford, Weymouth, Workington) 11 - Geoff Penniket (Cradley, Eastbourne, King’s Lynn, Long Eaton, New Cross, Newport, Plymouth, Poole, Rayleigh, Romford, Workington) 11 - Reidar Eide (Coatbridge, Edinburgh, Exeter, Leicester, Newport, Poole, Reading, Sheffield, Swindon, Wembley, Wolves) 11 - Nigel Sparshott (Birmingham, Exeter, King’s Lynn, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Poole, Rye House, Swindon, Wimbledon) 10 - Jimmy Squibb (Canterbury, Cradley, Eastbourne, Exeter, Harringay, Ipswich, New Cross. Plymouth, Poole, Southampton) Dave Jessup, Gordon Kennett, and Garry Middleton have each ridden for eight teams.

Agree with Laurie Sims, but I'm still sure it's Ballard on the inside. It's also Ballard on the outside with Roger. Check the other pics of Woolford and Ballard and compare; of course, the other pics of Ballard could be wrong... Any help, anyone? Steve PS Oxford 71-2 is definitely Genno Workington Unknown 1 is Chris Blythe

Agreed; it's definitely not Berg. Agree on both. In addition... Birmingham 1 71-1 Ian Wilson Birmingham 2 71-1 Terry Shearer Eastbourne 3 & 4 71-1 Malcolm Ballard on the inside Cradley 1 71-1 Roy Trigg Cradley unknown pair Bob Andrews behind Stoke 73-1 Looks suspiciously like Brian Woodward Workington 73-4 Kym Amundson Steve

Anyone out there know how Ken's doing these days? We lost touch a few years ago, when Ken and Esther moved out to the Caterham area somewhere. Steve

1957, actually... Steve

Sorry Brian; already mentioned... Steve

That's why I would always try and get there early, so I could park on the road... Steve

What do I remember? Bengt Jansson, Garry Middleton, and dear old Les McGillivray... Thommo's swoops on the fourth bend... The souvenir kiosk on the first bend... Snowy Beattie... John Louis at the Bonanza Best Pairs, and the kids getting free sweets... The crappy toilets, although really, they weren't any worse than Eastbourne's... Going to see a junior match against Belle Vue (with a 16-year old Andy Smith) in the middle of winter... Us winning 56-22 against the Hawks with Pat Pawson in the team... My old friend and work colleague, the lovely Maxine Hill... Having that poxy drive down Whitechapel Road and Mile End during rush hour... Driving home down Whitechapel Road; if I could turn right from the lights at the Green Man pretty quickly after they had changed, I used to be able to judge it perfectly, and get back to London Bridge without catching a red light! Steve

He rode for Ipswich in 1969 and 1970, but I can't find anything else. Steve

I think you may be talking about Janice. Short girl? Her friend was Jenny, I believe. Steve

I remember quite a few with huge chests! Sorry, we seem to be digressing... Steve

Fortunately, I wasn't there, but it still had a profound effect on me, the same as Tommy's tragic death did. I'd been talking to Vic in the Wimbledon pits the night before. Steve

Welcome Colin; it's great to hear from you! Don't you think we're all sad too, though? I still remember you winning the NLRC there 30 years ago, and posting a time of 60 seconds dead in one heat. Can't believe it's that long ago.. Steve.

Absolutely... Don't forget, Dave Fairbrother used to help him also. Before Eddie, it was Alf Jarrett, who used to stand at the top of the steps going up to the Pit Bend terracing. Then, there was Alan, who used to wander round selling the magazines... Who remembers the prize bingo in the grandstand??? Steve

Then there were Alan Cowland, Tony Childs, Geoff Hughes, Steve Chilman, Murray Burt, Leif Soderberg, Garry Middleton etc. Of course, before them were Messrs Harrfeldt, Nordin, McAuliffe, plus Ronnie Rolfe, Keith Whipp, and Roy Trigg. Steve

Now, you're just being cynical... So, other memories from Plough Lane include Mick Hines and Steve Koppe trying to punch each others' lights out, and Eric Broadbelt getting a little upset at our treatment of him after a couple of dust-ups with Roger, and actually hitting one o our supporters, Ian. Then there was the underwater GP Final; boy, did it rain that night! Nathan's first full maximum (against Edinburgh), when Roger shut off to let him get the lot. Eddie getting carted off to hospital when his chain snapped, and wrapped round his leg. Think that was in the Golden Helmet against Phil Crump? Ken Tozer's announcements, including 'Slim' Jim Tebby, and 'Hedgehopper' Trevor Hedge. "With a 2-4-6-8, who do we appreciate" etc A junior race one night, with Rocky Coutts, Ian Silk, Graham Crook, and Ian Fletcher (pretty sure it was them), and none of them even managing to get out of the second bend! Steve

Yeah, remember Viv, who also used to play in goal for the Speedway Riders XI! You probably recall Ken Archer, who worked in the pits at Wimbledon, Hackney and White City, and the Chaplin family? All good friends of ours. From about 71 to 75, I didn't go much. My dad was busy, my mum had lost interest, and I wasn't really old enough to go on my own. As I said, it was when Tommy was killed (I still remember picking up the Daily Mirror that morning, and seeing the headline), that I started going again. I went the following week for the challenge against Swindon, and after that, missed very few home meetings in the next 13-14 years. It is great to have a few of us swapping memories and stories on here. Steve

Rather you than me! certainly wouldn't want to try that these days - if it's even still there, of course... Yeah, long time since we've seen crowds like that. So, tell me Iris, when did you start going to Wimbledon? My parents actually met there! My mum started going in 1950, and my dad in 1958. I was three weeks old (1962) when I first went, and it has stayed with me ever since. Steve

As I asked before, WHO ARE YOU??? I got an email from Johnnie this morning. We stay in constant touch. Olaf is now living in Oregon, or somewhere out west, I believe. COME ON VACLAV!!! Jesus just seemed to disappear, but that was WAY back. Mick the Gut is living down in Hackbridge. Don't know if you know, but he married Barbara Upson, and they now have a bunch of littl'uns. The others, no idea what happened to them. You mentioned Paul; I'd forgotten about him and the lovely Angie. Then, there was Mick's mate Steve Brewer, Ian 'Mini' Cooper, Gareth Mays, Jock, the Umneys, Linda Bell, the Bond family, Alan, Margaret, and Gary Hammocks (Steve Hone used to hang out with them), Larry Rose... Steve

The food was expensive, but you know, they were damn good! Hey, do you remember the little kiosks under the bends that sold sweets? I used to love the rolls of "bitter cherry" and "bitter orange" they used to sell. Made by Trebor, I seem to recall. They used to put seats on the dog track. You remember seeing everyone walking down Blackshaw Road? For some reason, those single bike racks seemed wonderful to me, especially when the riders used to zip past us on the motorways! Oh, and Iris, you forgot rattles and rosettes... Rakers...Blaze Away... You remember the torchlight parades? Badges with year bars... Steve