mervjankefanclub

1 Shawn Moran - One of my all time favourites, showed his class by agreeing to ride for Jim Beaton and to see a guy of his class and stature at the time(1985) blasting around a place like Craighead Park was a sight to behold 2. John Cook - Put on a great show during Maugers do at Powderhall, a superb entertainer 3. Bruce Penhall - Conducted himself with class when Cradley came to Blantyre, still couldnt beat Super Stevie though Obviously being a NL fan away up here during said period, I didnt get to see the Yanks much, so when I did I probably savoured it a bit more than most and British speedway has been a poorer place without their razzamataz

Unfortunately that is the one yearbook I didnt keep hold of, asturmer. But a quick check on the excellent http://canterburycrusaders.co.uk shows that Reg did indeed ride for Canterbury during the 1976 season.

I think the area is going to be used as part of the London Olympics, pretty sure the stadium is now demolished. I think I read the media centre or something along those lines, is to be built there

A quick check of the yearbook doesnt show any indication of Reg riding in 1978 at Canterbury or anywhere else, asturmer. Maybe it was a publicity shot for something

The other two are a given ..............but Cockle? On a more serious note, I know your man is trying his hardest to be funny and get some attention, but the comment about wee Adam Roynon is bang out of order

Not forgetting wee bad Brett of the 1980s

I can remember reading an interview with Alan Mogridge years ago and in it he recalled the moment when he first heard his hero had died, he was told when he arrived home from school and he said he ran upstairs in tears. I believe Moggo looks in on here occassionally, wonder if he recalls anything

Peter Collins did recieve a testimonial, Jim. In 1980 if I remember right. I used to collect programmes when I was a youngster and that was one I had, he also had a farewell meeting at the start of the 1987 season. Quite a few testimonials were granted in the 70s and early 80s, others that spring to mind are; The Boocock brothers, Mike Keen, Terry Betts, Bob Kilby, Bernie Leigh, Gordon Kennett, Chris Morton, Jim Beaton, Trevor Geer, Brian Clark, Hugh Saunders, Laurie Etheridge, Alan Sage, David Gagen, Rob Hollingworth, Rob Henry and a few others. Thats why I was surprised Brian Kennett was never granted one. Dr Carlo Biagi even had one at Powderhall in 1981.

Thanks for that Jim, I always thought people just couldnt decide over the spelling of Ron's name over the years, wether it was with the 'T' or without, a bit like Mike Broadbank(s). Is the Rangers Johnson, the Scottish born rider who emigrated to Oz when he was a boy

I always thought New Cross was his main club Surprised no one has mentioned Rick Miller yet.

My mind may be playing tricks, but I seem to remember Newcastle thinking they had signed him before he went to Coventry, cant be certain that he actually made any appearances for them though, but something tell me he may have made one or two. I believe the year was 1991 when he won the world junior title at Brandon

Tommy Knudsen

The magical Erik Gundersen. You could say Bruce Penhall too, but it could hardly be classed as a career, could it? I dont think big Barney Kennet rode for anyone else but Canterbury. Thats assuming doubling up in the BL doesnt count. I dont even think he got a Testimonial did he?

If one may be so bold as to include wee Martin McKinna, who only rode for Glasgow from 1982 until 1991 earning himself a Testimonial in the process. While he may not have been quite as successful as his brothers he was always a favourite of mine and was particularly entertaining around Craighead Park Sadly too many injuries stunted his progress. I am sure there must be quite a few at National League level, Rob Henry and Mick Bates at Mildenhall spring to mind

Afraid I have given up, she can watch that ice thing if she wants I will go and bath my wee girl

Not too impressed with the camera angles changing on every bend, thought the TV was on the blink at first

Cant say I noticed Norbold, in the 70s at least, as it was coming out my old mans pocket. A bit different now its my own hard earned Must be a different breed of promoter these days, fans are just an afterthought

Promotions do tend to avoid double headers if possible as they hit them in the pocket, so they usually stick a few quid onto the normal admission prices when they are forced to stage one, Norbold. Thankfully though they are few and far betwen these days. Glasgow had one a couple of years back that took well over 5 hours to complete, with well over an hour in between both meetings for no apparent reason and no explanation why afterwards, as there were no accidents or lengthy delays to speak of. What made it even worse was the fact that it was October and absolutely freezing. Rye House were a club who staged quite a lot of them in the late 70s/early 80s and I seem to remember Wolverhampton staged what seemed like a full season of them on Sunday afternoons when they took part in the 1981 National League, I believe the reason was to get the season over as quickly as possible.

A wee check of the yearbook, Kev, says that the transfer required an SCB enquiry and the Crusaders handed over a cheque for £350 to Glasgow..........a bargain, I am sure you will agree It also says Mike turned up unheralded in 78 and tried to get into the Crayford team, and failed He also tried to get rides at Hackney, but ended up at Bristol where, after just eight laps during an impromptu practice following a cancelled meeting, they sent him over to Canterbury and the rest is history.

Sad to hear that, if true, Denzil Kent was always a favourite of mine when he visited Blantyre, when I was a youngster. Wayne Brown and Nigel Sparshott we two other favourites from the same era, sadly no longer with us

Those two are Bob Humphreys, Jim.

There are obviously people on here more qualified than me slickmick, but I did read somewhere just recently (backtrack i think) that the Sainsburys store now stands in its place

Glasgow 1, is Barry Ayres, a Belle Vue junior who rode a few meeting for the Tigers in 84, before picking up a nasty back injury, he had looked a decent prospect. I seem to remember him riding for Edinburgh when he came back from the injury.

I think his first full season in speedway was at Derwent Park in 1981, no-brakes. Cant remember him riding for the Racers though.

Agree with all you are saying mate, but I would plump for 1988. After the shambles of Craighead Park, then the debacle at Derwent Park. That first night at the plush surroundings of Shawfield in front of almost 8000 was a sight to behold and all of a sudden, from being a cinderella club we became the envy of teams up and down the country, riding in front of huge crowds every week, the return of the prodigal son Kenny Mac, Super Stevie Lawsons well deserved testimonial, the young Bowesie, Stevie winning the Scottish Open, first win on English soil in god knows how long, taking a massive support to Coventry to see Kenny McKinna claim a place on the NLRC rostrum everything just went right all season until the acrimonious end of course Speaking of Bowes, I also remember reading this wee tale in 1988, about when Dick Barrie had just signed him and was showing him around Shawfield, when young Bowesie remarked that his father had a friend who may have ridden in Scotland at some point, "really?" said Barrie "would I know him?"....."I dont suppose so".....said Shane...."his name is Charlie Monk"