BOBBATH

Hi Split, thanks for posting that link, it was a most interesting read. Good to see a photo of the old Cardiff track also!!!!!

I think that may have been 1963 ?

Chum recently passed his 95th birthday- King of Western Australia (Claremont) speedway. I got to see him ride at the very end of his career-in 1965 for Poole and 1966 for CH. Any memories from forumlanders of Chum. His son Glyn Taylor also rode in the 70's I think. Another World Final vet passes a milestone, just after Eric Boothroyd. I hope they both have a few laps still to go!!

Just to close a loop- Bonnie Boothroyd passed away about two years ago.

All the stuff about New Cross just makes me wish I had got to see a meeting there.

Long before my time, but it looks to me a bit sad that Ron tried a comeback when he was so old. Maybe sometimes it pays to quit when you are ahead and be remembered that way. What say forumlanders??

Eric Boothroyd, of your first meeting Frankie celebrated his 95th birthday the other week-not sure if his wife Bonnie is still with us though!

Good point, although Ray Harris had ridden for Stoke in PL before 1964, but you are right on all counts, I was just referring to the first NL rider I saw in the combined League in 1965, I had seen all the Wasps in 1964 of course-we wouldn't have had a team without the ex Southampton riders

Great post mate, I woz there (as Max Boyce would say) also. A warm evening as I recall The result of the first heat was Boocock, Golden, Younghusband and Erskine- a 4-2 to Halifax. What I really remember though is seeing Brian Elliott- the first NL rider I ever saw. He wasn't one of the top NL riders but he came out in Heat 2 and won the race against the great Dick Bradley, the result was Elliott, Bradley, Hitch, Penniket another 4-2 to Halifax. I can recall thinking that if Brian Elliott was typical of the old NL riders the PL guys stood no chance. It was a great night for Brian, in his second ride he came out and finished second behind Peter Vandenberg-result was Vandenberg, Elliott, Biggs, Hitch . in his third ride he finished first again- Elliott, Penniket, Vic White, Bob Jameson. In his last ride I think he fell. Brian didn't come out for the second half ( how I miss those second halves) So 8 points from 3 completed rides wasn't too shabby I never saw Brian Elliott ride again but he did a great job in that meeting Great to be at the same meeting as you-but sadly unlike your dad I never met Eric Boothroyds' wife!! At the interval me and my mates would go to the Newport County bar and have a couple of pints of Whitbread Trophy!!! Wonderful days.. Do any forumlanders have any memories of Brian???

I just tell people who say I look OK- that I am decaying from the inside out!!!!!!!

Just heard the the former Norwich rider is coming up to 100 this month- feeling fine and has just had his driving license renewed-his brother is 106. These speedway guys seem to last a long time-must be something in the smell of Castrol R. Proves there is hope for us all.

Is Dave Dodd still alive ?- last I heard a few years ago he was living in Sterling, Ontario, Canada.

Blimey John your first meeting was six months before I was born!!

Saturday 13th June 1964, Southern League Newport v. Long Eaton. Heat 1. Alby Golden, Jon Erskine, Ken Adams, John Mills. A 5-1 to Newport and Alby broke the Somerton Park track record at 68.4 seconds. I was sold on the sport. Jon is the only one still with us.

Thanks Chunky, the Chelsea stuff is on wikipaedia as you said. ditto re Palace, about WBA it's not as clear so to me they will remain "The Throstles". My last year in England (1968) they beat Everton in the Cup Final 1-0 on a Jeff Astle goal. First one I ever saw on TV in colour-holy smokes -have I been gone that long.!!!Thanks for the other interesting comments too. , sorry for the digression from speedway!

Speaking of nicknames re football , does anybody know when Chelsea F.C. stopped being nicknamed the "Pensioners" and became "The Lions", while we are at it when did WBA cease to be "The Throstles" and become "The Baggies" and Palace cease to be "the Glaziers" and become the 'Eagles". Anyone remember??? Sorry, this even more off topic.

Yup, Billy is definitely still alive.

Re Belle Vue v. Newport in July- Jon Erskine and john Bishop are alive, not sure re Roger White (I don't recall the latter-may have been a second halfer drafted in is my guess) Hope this helps

Liverpool v. Sheffield Reg Fearman is certainly still with us-we exchange texts every couple of weeks. Also last I heard Pete Kelly is still around in NZ I think

I am so glad Billy is still with us- I recall him riding for Sheffield in 1965 (I think)

Was just about to post this topic, then realised I had already done so about a year ago-senior moment. Anyway I called it up and enjoyed re- reading the memories of other posts on the subject. Time seems to pass ever more quickly these days but I still remember stuff from the sixties as clear as yesterday.

1966 Halifax were a great team- Eric Boocock, Younghusband, Boothroyd, Roper Jamieson, Kingston-also Bryan Elliott appeared in a few meetings for them(in 1965)- in fact Bryan Elliottt was the first ex NL rider I ever saw saw. He rode for Halifax at Somerton Park and scorched to a win in his first ride there. Great days!

What did Col die from??

I must admit that was a disadvantage of the old one off World Final-though it was still exciting to have everything decided in one night.

Understood