Martin Ashby was also reserve in 1975 and I was expecting him to get a ride when Ray Wilson (I think) broke the tapes, but the other reserve (a Gordeev brother?) came out instead.
Bit before my time, 1964. Ove Fundin had a bit of 'ruthless' reputation though I believe, so could it be him? Someone will no doubt point out that they were the best of mates now!
Good point Falcace, and all the better for it. Whatever became of Martin Scarisbrick though. There was a real buzz about him on our 1983 World Final coach.
I remember it well. Sliding a trial bike over rough terrain to deliver said chocolates. Didn't look much like Arthur once he took the helmet off though.
Bart Bast's career over here turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. He was signed by Swindon, but was released before the end of his first season. I think he was only averaging around 3 points a meeting at the time, although he was very popular with the supporters and I remember there being a campaign by some fans to keep him on.
I noticed recently that he's still riding in the States, though, and doing well, which is good to see. I also noticed that his father rides too!
Couldn't tell you the exact team on that occasion, but the Cradley Heath History Site shows the 1965 team as: Eric Hockaday, Tom Bungay, John Hart, Ron Cooper, Leo McAuliffe, Matt Mattocks, Chris Julian and Ivor Brown.
I remember when Michanek rode for Cradley, if that's what you mean. He was in the team on one of the few occasions I went to Dudley Wood. I think it was 1977, around the time when they changed from 'United' to 'The Heathens'. It was also the start of their transformation from regular also-rans to one of Speedway's glamour clubs.
When I think of Cradley there are two matches that always come to mind. One was when the amazing 1983 team came to Swindon and Phil Crump scored a maximum against them despite Cradley winning 29-49 (or was it 28-50?). Ah! REAL Speedway scores!
The other match I remember was at Oxford in 1975, when it snowed and the Cradley team quit about half way through and went home. Oxford went on to ride the match on their own and win 58-14.
Giving up??
Bernd Odermatt!
Great clue, but I have to confess to not having heard of said gentleman. Surprising, therefore, that Swindon never signed him in 1983!
Looks like nobody's going to give a proper answer to Frigbo, so how about a clue?
In similar vein again: which Norwiegen former Cradley & Oxford rider sounded like he was getting on a bit, and had soft, light feathery material up his jacksie?