star ghost

Many a true word spoken in jest Alan

Ernie Lessiter was quite handy with Swindon following his S A L days. Ernie Baker always seemed a rider who didn't make the expected progress, rather like John Debbage at Norwich. Perhaps he might have described himself as part-time due to this then.

Started at Bristol in 1928 and rode both Leicester Super and Stadium (Blackbird Road) in the early years into the 30's to about 1933

Try to obtain the "Leicester Speedway History - Pre-War Years". It is sure to have what you need in it. It is the first of the 3 book set published about the Hunters / Lions set-ups.

I realise that SG but the bloke said it himself and may just be "shy" Ernie, in fact, rode for Liverpool in 1937 with his brother Tom so he would be way over 75 now I reckon

It could well be Ernie Appleby. He rode for a number of teams including Fleetwood. The other possible from those days would have been Ernie Price of Bradford but I thought he passed on some years back

There was also a Jack Hughes, Halifax & Bradford rider

C. Newton would have been Cliff Newton - I think he was with Poole Pirates and Southampton Saints around about the end of the 50's P. Newton is not a name I recall. There was a D. Newton. This was Dennis Newton who rode for, mainly, Oxford Cheetahs and Norwich Stars in the late 50's/early 60's. Dennis emigrated to South Africa but made a come-back in ther British League with Long Eaton for a short while in the mid 60's. As far as I know Dennis is still living in South Africa

I have seen the names Maury and Morrie used for this rider. It is the same person. He was an ex Southampton Saints rider I have seen the same problem occur with Maury / Morrie McDermott the mainly ex Rayleigh Rockets rider

I think you are right about that. The story may have been in the Speedway researcher I think

Hi Malcolm Your mention of Hethel interests me as the Lotus Empire is there and it is only a couple of miles from where I live. With the surrounding woodlands the noise from Lotus is un-noticeable. The site was looked at some years back with a view to trying for a track there but Lotus did not really want to know. The Showground has an "Over my dead body" attitude to Speedway. Those who have the running of the place do not want it so as it's their land then no hope there. I know questions were asked of Councillors who were at Ove's Freedom Night at Norwich. Nothing has happened though. As you no doubt know from the Boston angle the planners are not on our side. The amazing about turn at Birmingham was the exception. Look at the ways the "new Exeter" is being held up. There's always some new reason to say no. Snetterton was a possible place at one time but like Swaffham it was not really Norwich. Whilst Swaffham is near Lynn so Snetterton would be classed as near Mildenhall so that would have caused problems. Regarding Geoff - were you there the night that idiot jumped the fence and landed under Geoffs front wheel, if anything could happen it would be Geoff on the receiving end. He was an excellent example to all with his sportsmanship and always ready to sign autographs for the pit hanging kids.

I am sorry tmc if you are upset about my posting. I am not trying to undermine V S M as you put it. I am a subscriber anyhow. I was just as upset as you are now when I read the erroneous article. I feel there are too many mistakes made when the past is written about. If I think it is wrong I will always say so. If it concerns Norwich or our riders from the past I will definitely get upset even moreso. As I said I'm sorry if you are upset, but so was I I reckon I will just have to grin and bear it

Ha Ha. I would blame Les Mullins instead as he was a brilliant bloke with engines

I know Derek has passed on a few years ago but have not got any details on this

John had a "falling out" towards the end of the 1964 season at the Firs and was allowed to move to Swindon. His time there was short and he joined Cradley Heath when the 1965 British League was started. He had, like most of the lesser lights at the Firs ridden for the Bloaters in his time. Despite showing much promise he just didn't make the next level as we had all hoped. John met an untimely death in a road accident on the Norwich to Ipswich road when travelling to a Car Auctions site. From memory he was the unfortunate one in the vehicle accident who lost his life Whilst with the Stars he was renowned for his antics with his pal Derek Strutt, they were known as the "Goons" after the famous Sellars, Milligan & Secombe Radio programme from our glorious past.

Per Olaf Soderman came to the U K to ride for Coventry Bees on the recommendation of Ove Fundin. I think he took the Brandon track record on his first night there. The 50/50 split was not how it was at first. When the Continentals first staged their own rounds only 4 got to reach the Final direct. Prior to that they had to ride in our Qualifying rounds starting on our 2nd division tracks. At one time I know Reg Morgan, Bob Mark and Phil Clarke rode in Continental rounds. The Swedes made the initial breakthrough and other countries had just the odd one who qualified but as the sport progressed in Europe so they all wanted a cut of the places on "Wembley" night. Among the riders who never qualified for a Final it is somewhat of a surprise to find the name of Arne Pander.

In the latest edition there is an article about Geoff Pymar It is a great pity that the author didn't get his facts correct first As usual I expect his words will be taken as "Gospel" though Geoff did not have "a career which lasted 23 years" I will accept he started on track at Norwich in 1930. He did not retire in 1953 however. In as late as 1962 Geoff was riding for Bradford in the Provincial League. Whilst doing so he again joined up with his ex Norwich associate from the mid 50s Wal Morton. At Bradford they formed a heat partnership on a number of occasions. Both were 50 year old at the time making this partnership a "Centurion Act". 1930 - 1962 makes a career of 27 years (both seasons inclusive and not counting 1940 - 45, war years)

Another thing has just clicked into place - Alan Jay spent some time riding for Kings Lynn for a while

Well k3v1n83 maybe if Sky asked for a goal to count double if scored in the 25 - 30 minute time zone football would go along with it, especially if they paid extra if it was on telly at the time it happened. I think the original T/S rule was o.k In those days when it started in the 50s a reserve only had two rides so it hit them hard to suddenly meet a number 1 opposition rider but now they get 4 rides like everyone else so they would still have 3 other rides When averages including bonus points come into it a match with one team getting 15 firsts and the away team getting 15 2nds & 3rds the result would be 45 - 45. Averages including bonus points would make one team on 45 and the other on 60. So one team would have to get rid of at least 2 riders to even get down to 45. In reality they would need to get lower to bring anyone in to make 7 riders again.

Ove joined Stars in 1955 after making his Final debut in 1954 Regarding Wilf Jay - He has departed this World. I think he actually had 3 sons who rode at Sheffield but cannot recall the 3rd name. Was it Stuart? Maybe someone from Sheffield can enlighten me? I have the programme of Wilf's return somewhere. Wilf won the first race on 1 May 1937 when the great Max got us into "real" Speedway. He also rode on the last night at the Firs - 31 October 1964. Maybe if the Stars ever make it back one of his sons could get asked to join Ove in the opening Celebration??????????? Well I can dream When I last saw Bob Leverenz it was July '87 at a Norwich 50 years Celebration at the home of Phil Clarke. As everyone got down to yarning Bob told us a great one - Whilst delivering fuel in the outback a few years before he arrived at this ranch and when the bloke came out to meet him he gasped and turned white. Bob asked him "whats wrong mate". The chap said he thought he had just seen a ghost - when he was in England he used to watch a bloke like Bob ride Speedway for Norwich where he lived. Bob admitted he couldn't avoid telling the bloke he was the person concerned.

Fred Brand is still here in the U K I understand. I think he is in his beloved Fens District. When Fred reached that Final he was only riding at number 8 in the Stars line-up. Under todays G P Invite System he would not have even been considered. Fred scored 7 points that night I have also heard that Bob Leverenz is still in Australia. I have always felt Bob could have gone on and gathered many honours. In the Stars first season in the Top League in 1952 he started the season late and then averaged 10 a match. From memory only Jack Young & Ronnie Moore equalled that feat. His premature return to Australia left a large void at the Firs. Like Fred Bob scored 7 on Final night. Bert Spencer rode in the British Championship Final as one of the 4 Northern League riders who joined 12 First Division men in the Final. This was my first visit to Wembley. I was 7 at the time and had never seen so many people in one place before. Bert scored 5 that night. What is often forgotten is that Norwich had 2 riders at that Final - Wilf Jay was the Northern riders stand-by Reserve but wasn,t called on to compete

I thought Stonehenge was an oldtime football pitch which was invented by a bloke down-under and came here in the late 20s. Or was that some other sport???? and I have not read it correctly

I thought R M missed out some years during that time. How about Cyril "Salty" Brine at Wimbledon for a number of years

Billy Bales has a special place in my memories. He started as a Norwich second half (?whats that?) rider and was sent to Yarmouth when they opened as Norwichs Dick Wise ran both tracks. The Bloaters started as Stars Nursery track you might say. After Service (R A F) Billy went into the Stars team for 1952 and rode for us till closure of the Firs in 1964. This like Phil Clarke gives 13 years service to the team. He rode for Sheffield till retirement (around 1969) Bearing in mind the run of injuries he suffered he did not do too bad did he I could add Bert Spencer (Norwich 1937 till 1949) but that would be cheating - The War years cannot count can they

Whilst looking up some stuff on the Speedway Researcher Site today I went to the Exeter Section and found the results for 1948 The Peamore Trophy was a form of Second Half event for the lesser lights at Exeter and there were 3 regular winners - John Hancox, Gordon Taylor and Herbie Plain. Each had a spell as regular race winners in this series. A Final was due to be run on 18 October but did not take place. It looks more than likely the rider would have been Herbie Plain I think