star ghost

There was Jimmy Ogisu????? a Japanese rider

Ian Tiddler Turner Mr Terry Betts Richard Hellsen Nigel Sparshott Bobby Garrard (Rye H but rode for Lynn also)

Odd that .......... I thought the N O T W used to sponsor some speedway event or other didn't they?

Mention of Brian Elliott as a reserve getting to the world Final reminds me of Fred Brand who also attained this feat whilst at Norwich. He went on to score 7 on Final night at Wembley Fred Brand was also named as the News of the World's "Knight of the Road" when he assisted a stranded motorist during a journey home from a Stars meeting. Did any other riders get this award or is Fred "unique"

The last I heard about Norman was that he was in the Leicester area. He rode for the Lions for a time and I think he had a Joint Testimonial Event with Ray Wilson

I feel much the same about the housing estate covering the old Firs Stadium here in Norwich. Its 43 years ago now since they tore down the Firs but the "Firs Pub" opposite is still standing.

David Ashby was a brother of Martin and rode at Swindon I think

All three of the Roger boys took the same route into Speedway. They first got established at Exeter and then moved up to the top League with New Cross. In the 1952 season all three were in the Rangers line-up and this was also the case for 1953. When the Rangers track closed down the riders were allocated to other teams by the S C B. I will say we at Norwich were quite happy to get Cyril and no doubt West Ham welcomed Bert. Bob, who was less experienced, was sent to Birmingham. Cyril stayed at the Firs until he moved to Poole for the 1956 season, 1957 saw him at Ipswich. He returned to Norwich at the back end of the 1959 season and he stayed for the 1960 season before moving on to Southampton in 1961 where he stayed until the Bannister Court closed its doors. Cyril rode in 4 World Finals and was a Reserve at another. Bert stayed with the Hammers till 1956 and I think this was when he retired. He qualified for the 1952 World Final but a broken collar bone meant he had to miss out. Bob moved on to Swindon where he became the number one rider for the Robins. He qualified for the 1957 World final. A serious crash in April 1958 meant the end for Bob's time in Speedway. All 3 made a number of appearances for England in Test Matches during thier carreers

Cyril had a number of seasons here at the Firs. He always seemed to return again. He joined from Defunct New Cross in 1953 then priodically moved around joining Poole, Ipswich and Southampton. Cyril also took time out to promote at Exeter along with our old mate Geoff Pymar. This was in 1957 if I remember right. I have not heard of his death but I know he suffered from ill health during his time in Spreedway. He spent a time running a Market Garden somewhere in Kent. You are correct that Bert & Bob are no longer with us. Are the other well known threesome, the Williamses still around, Freddie was at Norwich for Ove's Freedom Celebration and Eric is in N Z but I have not heard of Ian recently though?

A slight error has crept in there as Jack Biggs did not bring Frank Dolan here. Frank was with Harringay together with the Duggan Brothers in 1947 and had, in fact, been here pre the 39-45 War also

It's the truth as well. He also gets in plugs for books regularly as well.

Harry had very little hair - only a few whispy strands, just about hanging on to him. Stan Buxton, the Norwich announcer, used to refer to Harry as "never being alone with a strand" as a popular advert of the day used this phrase to advertise Strand Fags.

Both Cyril & David Crane are alive and well living locally in the Norwich area. Sandor wasn't wild, he was hard and gave nothing away unless the opposition proved harder. Another like Sandor was the afore-mentioned Clive Featherby who now spends a fair bit of time in Australia

Oxford won the last National League there was in 1964

Harry Edwards rode for the following teams Walthamstow - 1949, 1950, 1951 Belle Vue - 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955 (early season only) Norwich - 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 Rayleigh - 1961 - 1963 Leicester - 1962 Wolverhampton - 1964 Bert Edwards rode for Walthamstow - 1950 Aldershot - 1951, 1952 (early season) Cardiff - 1952, 1953 (early season) Ipswich - 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 Neither ever rode in a World Final but Bert had a number of appearances in Test matches for England where he usually scored his fair share of points

Jack rode for the following teams from my records Harringay - 1947, 1948, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954 Bradford - 1949, 1950 Norwich - 1955 (allocated but did not appear due to non-agreement of terms) West Ham - 1955 (after Stars signed Ove Fundin) Poole - 1956, 1958, 1959 Oxford - 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962 Ipswich - 1960 (early season only - swap with Colin Goody to Oxford) Coventry - 1963, 1964 These were all National League teams, I cannot trace him in the Provincial League Newport - 1965, 1966 Hackney Wick - 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 These were British League days Norbold was right about the World Final, Jack has gone down as a rider who snatched defeat from the jaws of World Title fame. On his day he could hold his own with the best but on that night that certain something deserted him

I think Bert was the oldest Another oldtimer who was a longtime P O W was Len Read, who took up Speedway on his return and rode for Norwich, Plymouth and Liverpool. He still lives in Norwich and I see him from time to time

In the 40s and 50s Jack rode for Harringay, Bradford and West Ham and then, after the opening of the British League in the 60s, he was with Hackney Wick

Yes Brian you are right about the handicap system To this must be added A reserve (Number 7) with an average of less than 1.00 per race was given an extra 10 yards start over every other rider. This average was for home matches for the rider to get the start at home. Away reserves had to have an average of less than 1.00 per race away to get this start at away matches

Sadly Harry is no longer with us. He started at Rye House after returning from a P O W camp and joined Walthamstow when they opened in the second division. Bert was also at Walthamstow at this time. Bert went on to ride for Cardiff, Aldershot and Ipswich, where he became a top man in the Witches team. Harry went on to ride for Belle Vue and then came to Norwich in a deal which took Fred Rogers to the Aces. Fred had retired to concentrate on the family business in Sheffield but Hoskins talked him into helping out for the Aces. Norwich insisted on a rider as replacement and we got Harry. He became a regular in the Stars team where he regularly partnered Billy Bales. Harry moved on to ride P L for Rayleigh and Leicester and I think he also rode for Wolverhampton at some time. The last I heard about Harry was that he was lost overboard on a fishing trip but have never had confirmation of this anywhere. Bert still attends the Ipswich Reunions from time to time. There was also another Bert Edwards who rode at Belle Vue as one of the "Bubble Bouncers" but he was no relation to the riders mentioned.

I've been speaking to a fellow named Blackmore who tells me he rode speedway at Canterbury when Johnnie Hoskins was there. ???? Anyone remember him

I wasn't there but have read many reports, have the marked programme and this thing about a handicap doesn't ring true. I think George made a dream gate, these things happen, whilst Peter missed out for once. This was the way I feel it happened. The mere fact that people talk about 10 or 20 yards as the distance concerned sows seeds of doubt

I'm glad you put that on about Solihull. I began to wonder if I dreamt about it possibly being in Birminham

I have the 2 Kings Lynn results which I will send when I get back from Ireland at the Weekend

Posting 2 says "his old team mates" referring to Halifax. I took it that the thought was that Sandor rode for them ???????????? I assumed it was what was meant Cheers