BOBBATH

The one good thing I did was keep all my programs right from the start in 1964. I even had them shipped over to Canada when I left the UK

Thanks for your reply BL65-as usual from you I learned something new- also Norbold re Norm's best WF attempt- I'm a bit surprised he never got closer to the big night. Lots of old speedway on youtube now - I have just started watching the history of Ipswich which looks good (about 2 hours long)

Have just watched "West Ham Memories Parts 1 and 2" on youtube- I think it was originally a video you purchased but now on youtube.Interviews on Part One included Johnnie Hoskins and also Reg Fearman, Len Silver,Brian Crutcher. On Part 2 Tony Clarke was interviewed plus Norman Hunter- the third and often overlooked heat leader of the wonderul Hammers side of 1965. I was very interested in Normans' comments. He was just reaching his peak (in my view) after he left WH to become number 1 at Wolves(was it 68 or 69)-then he had his terrible accident. I reckon he could have made a World Final-does anyone in forumland know what was the closest he came to qualifying for a WF. Also Norm the Storm was one of the guys who went straight from the PL to the NL-when the PL rode "black". I'm trying to think of some others who did that Simmo for sure, perhaps David Crane??. Were there others also- , I can't really recall who else rode for Hackney in 1963 or other tracks who then went NL in 1964. BTW watching this youtube video reminded me of all we've lost-riders you could have a beer with after the meeting,amazing characters and showmen!! I wish we could go back to 1964 and 1965. Folks today don't know what they are missing

It's a great video- just fyi Reg Fearman had his 90th birthday on April 26th- hopefully will have many more

This is for people of a certain age. Huck Fynn (I don't remember him either) is 101 this month. Reg Fearman and his wife are part of the celebration. Seriously does anyone recall Huck- I don't think even Norbold or John Hyam can recall seeing him ride. Anyway Huck is still in fine form and still driving his car. An example to us all.

Thanks Chunky- a most interesting post, I certainly learned some history there. Cheers

Yeah well, I don't think the Krays and Richardsons ever bothered the civilians walking down the street-sort of like the Mafia in NYC and Capone in Chicago. I lived in Illinois 1n 1968-70 and I'm old enough to remember Mayor Daly in Chicago-a hell of a. lot safer than today.

Sure Norman, it was a genuine question on my part. On my last visit to London- I walked around Plaistow and did wonder where the old East End white cockneys had gone? So I wondered if the same thing applied down the Old Kent Road. Before anybody raises the old Racist card, I was just wondering if the same changes had occurred around OKR. Also it seems from what we read here that there is a lot more petty and gang crime in areas of the old East End and wondering whether the same applied there. Just a request for knowledge -no hidden motives, but it seems that things have become so divisive you can't ask a question without raising the spectre of being questioned by the Political Correctness brigade (not that I am suggesting you are part of that movement Norman).

Great photos of a track I sadly never got to visit. Is the area shown around the Old Kent road atough area these days-streetcrime etc.? Is it still a white working class area ?

Ove Fundin, Bjorn Knutsson, Bengt Jansson, Olle Nygren, Anders Michanek, in that order .

Thanks Beirao- keep up the good work. It's much ppreciated

Hi Chunky I posted my thanks in the wrong place-thanks again for taking the trouble to do this list

Thanks Chunky-great list, must have taken a lot of work. It corrected some of my mistakes- I didn't even realise Reg Luckhurst had made the top 16. Thanks greatly again mate.

Sorry to read this.Af ter thedemise of Capn'Jim and Dick Bradley- I reckon that means Gote Nordin and Bob Andrews join the last 16. RIP Capn' Jim

Died very young , I think he may also have ridden for Newcastle.

Great comments and a mention of Graham Coombes also. I remember Graham at several tracks-is he still with us. I think he may have ridden for CH too?

I just wish I could have been there

Thanks Beirao-your comments also remind me of Bluey. I'll look forward to reading Classic Speedway Memories online-and perhaps this willintroduce him more fully to other Forumlanders.

Thanx Frigbo, I should have remembered that Bluey rode for Glasgow in 1965-66. Born in 1929 at least he has a good innings.As some of you probably know "Bluey" is a name the Aussies use for someone with red hair.

Bluey Scott is not the same as Jack Scott ,El Addio. They are both as you say a rich part of speedway history though.

I saw Bluey race a couple of times at Somerton Park in the old PL in 1964- he was the Middlesbrough Bears Captain and top scored with 9 points against the Wasps the time I saw him. I also him turn out for an "official test match" Britain v. Overseas in the same year.Bluey was a well known nice guy, very approachable for the fansand often hosted his old speedway comrades when they visited Oz after they all retired. Stayed in touch with people like Howard Cole and Reg Fearman right until the end of his life.

Sad news from Oz, Bluey Scott has passed- some of us will well remeber Bluey from the early and mid sixties- Long Eaton, Middlesbrough etc. R.I.P. Bluey

Pie and Mash is an excellent book, I have loaned it to a number of my Canadian mates who find the depiction of life inearly post war Britain fascinating-ration books etc. Also reading it made me wish even more that I could have seen Speedway at New Cross.

I always recall Gordon from the 1965 British Final at West Ham, he almost made it to the World Final that year. He had a good British semi-final at Poole that year also-any forumlanders besides me and Norbold at that 1965 British Final.

I don't know the answer , but did either (or both) Swindon and Bristol have a dog track betwen the speddway track and spectators??