BOBBATH

This is amazing-and I thought I was the only one interested in the old PL. You are right- Bob Oakley for Wolves in 1961 (I wonder if he rode at the same time with his old oppo Graham Warren.} And indeed Ron Clarke for Sheffield in 1960. In the Peter Morrish book it shows Ron scoring one point for the Tigers in 1960-anyone know the background to this. I thought he must be too old at 49 to be riding-but now he seems young (I'm 75 this year but then again I don't have to ride speedway!!) Re anoraks-which is an article of clothing I don't think we ever had in Canada -ay least under that name- I have decided to purchase one from the UK- I will wear it when I'm looking at my old speedway programs and Speedway Stars (without anything else on)!!! Hopefully none of you are eating breakfast when you are reading this!! Keep smilin' everybody in forumland!!

Thanks for the replies- definitely Geoff Pymar and Dent Oliver (I should have known about Dent)- Bob Andrews doesn't qualify as noted and also Ron Johnson as -non-riding reserve (good tries though). I will pass the Dent and Pymar names on to Reg -particularly since Geoff rode for him!!. Thanks all for your responses, I certainly learned something

As many of you know , the Prov. League (60-64) was started to give chances to younger riders and guys who couldn' be top heat leaders in the old National League. It got me thinking of how many former World Finalists pre 1960 appeared in the Prov. League. I came up with three- Eric Boothroyd, Trevor Redmond and Graham Warren, to which Reg Fearman has added another two-Danny Dunton and Dick Bradley. So five altogether-am I missing anyone? I reckon that's about it.

Glad to see a mention of Geoff Penniket (Plunket as we used to call him). Key part of Newport in mid sixties-think he went to Poole after that. I recall him getting his first max in the BL. Great character-armchair style of riding, think he lost a finger in a racing accident. Anyone know if "Plunket" is still with us?

I think the champ looks like Stan Stevens (great guy).

Good on you Norbold-what is the oldest programme (your first meeting) and what season do you have the most programmes from? Nothing the matter with anoraks either.

Yup, this a great forum-particularly glad for stuff on sixties (my era)- I still have the programmes of every meeting I ever attended.!! I must be what you Brits used to call an "anorak"!!!!

I also remember this- I think Wilf was in his fifties and got drafted in because there was a regular unavailable (I could be wrong though)

BL65, agree with Sidney- I learn so much from your posts ,many thanks and keep 'em coming!!

BL65 you have excelled yourself!!! thanx for all the work you have put in. Not surprised that Long Eaton would have climbed up the table-as you say they had won some away fixtures but were sadly decimated by injuries. Sad to see Newport drop from 6th to 13th-should have kept my big trap shut!!. Seriously thank you for all the effort this must have taken-it is always a pleasure to read your posts- if I ever get back to the UK will buy you and compost a beer(Plus for you Norbold an orange juice-since you have foresworn the evil grape). Cheers to all..

BL 65 -you are amazing-I lived in Cardiff in 1962 and I recall lining up for my smallpox vaccination-how do you know all this-you must be a genius or a time traveller!!

Thank you for keeping the Saxons history alive- keep up the good work.

Say there had been no injuries to anybody in 1965- How, Mauger (I guess they wouldn't have got Brett in that case) Sharples etc etc -who do you think would have ended up Champs-still WH or maybe someone else- Halifax would be pretty good as I recall-they lost Brien Elliott. What about Wolves??

Blimey BL65-you and your posts - I reluctantly have to agree that though Dick Bradley is one of my heroes if he hadn't been injured it would not have made that much difference to the Wasps final position!! BTW what was the team you followed the most- West Ham maybe?? Thanks for all the info you share with us, I think I speak for all forumlanders when I say how much I enjoy your posts and how much I learn from them. Keep up the good work mate!!

I agree BL65, How was great-I was privileged to see Ron before his career ending accident. I reckon with How Oxford would have been champs. If the boot had been on the other foot it would have been like Harrfeldt was injured for West Ham. They would have had no chance. BTW a sore point with me is that Dick Bradley was injured and not replaced for the Wasps. Even without Dick, the Wasps finished the highest among the 1964 Prov. League tracks

Never a top track- always middle or bottom of the NL table, the Cheetahs swept the board and won the last ever NL Championship in 1964. They seemed unstoppable-there was an article in the Speedway Star about their "G" men- Genz, Geran, Goody, Gooch,.. I am trying to recall the others -one was Arne Pander another was Ron How and John Bishop. If they had been left intact I reckon they would have run away with the title in the first BL season of 1965. Any 1964 Oxford supporters out there who can share their memories with us forumlanders.

Another name from the past gone. R.I.P. Johnny

Thanks again BL65- I'd forgotten re Neath-only raced for one year but finished runner up in the PL-lack of crowds apparently.

I always enjoy Composts' questions and of course BL65's answers. In the Weymouth thread a name from the past I admired-Jon Erskine cropped up. One of the original Newport team- 1962 was before Newport opened , so I think Jon must have been riding for Long Eaton. Interestingly enough 1962 was the only time Jon appeared in the PLRC Final.

Thanks countarthur (tigerowl). Do you reckon Olle Andersson should be dropped from the list since we can't verify that he is still with us. What say you forumlanders??

I must have missed it but apparently Johnny has passed. Any "mature" Bees supporters know when this happened and how old John was?

Very sorry to hear re Jack-a really nice individual-had an opportunity to talk to him a few times and he struck me as an optimistic guy with a sunny disposition.. One of the relatively few Aussies who settled in England, one of the all conquering Oxford of 1964. Also great to watch in 1965 with Exeter. R.I.P. Jack

Anyone have an updated list -Tigerowl maybe?

Thanks Roger-and have finally changed my e-mail on profile. Cheers Bob

Andout-thanks for your PM and very sorry to hear about Stan- I was at Paris when his 80th birthday was recognised along with his contribution to Canadian speedway. I also had the honour of hosting Dorothy for lunch in Toronto at the Top of the CN Tower along with Ron Hoare (speedway author) and his wife when they were visiting Stan and Dorothy -this would have been in the eighties I think. Stan was a great guy and I know he would have appreciated your comments Roger.