BOBBATH

Seeing David Crane as top Sheffield scorer prompted my memory, David was a hot prospect for a while, I think he rode for Exeter in last year of PL and was related to Cyril Crane-he was regarded as a real up and comer but I can't recollect what happened-did he quit early, get injured or what-anyone out there in Speedwayland know what happened.

I remember this-it was Ken Sharples. Ken did join the Diamonds in 1964 and was more than steady in my view Tsunami. Right after Mauger at Newcastle that year,there were three riders with averages of about 7-Kelly, Bill Andrews and Ken Sharples. All four got to the PL Final that year. Newcastle had a great team and won PL championship. Ken rode for Newcastle in 65 in the BL(I think he retired after a track crash at Wimbledon) and more than held his own-a great veteran. Then he became manager of Newport in 1966- he was killed in a road accident in I think 1967 while still Newport team manager. Strange coincidence is that the next Newport team manager-Eddie Glennon-formerly Newcastle Team Manager and team manager for them in 64 was also killed in a road accident in 1968. Weird eh.

Bob Mark,Coventry 1950's,

Did Colin Pratt really ride for Oxford in early 60's . I remember him at Stokeand think he had a few outinhgs at Swindon..

Thanx Speedyguy -just one comment- as far as I am concerned no way have guys like Pete and Colin been forgotten by those of us(which includes you for sure) with long memories. I well remember Colin Gooddy riding for Oxford and then Exeter in the first years of the British League. By the way don't know if anyone remembers the great Prov.League Riders Champs Final of 1964, won by Mauger from Charlie Monk(who I think in that year beat Ivan more times than any other rider-wish he'd got to a World Final-almost did and should have in 65) with Roy Trigg and Pete Kelly in run off for third-Roy got it. Anyway PLJ finished 5th behind them-good for him. That was a meeting to remember.

PLJ was the name I think of a lemon drink in the sixties-many folks will remember that this was the nickname of Pete Jarman(his initials were PLJ) of Stoke and Wolverhampton in the PL days.I always thought that Pete was not the best of gaters but that made him a great guy to watch-I think he was born around 1935 which would make him in his early seventies. Hope he is still OK as he gave a lot of people a lot of pleasure. Anybody know where he is these days??

To all those who responded much thanx-anybody know what happened to Bob Hughes or John Bishop tho'?? They seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth.

Hi -don't know about Galloway but certainly Graham Warren was famous for being born in Fiji-altho' an Aussie

Thanx Railway End for the pics-in answer to Ian I agree re 1965 although it was great to see the NL stars for the first time at the PL tracks-some lived up to their rep others didn't!!

This is bringing back some memories. Thanx Big Fat Dave and South Coast Robin.I think it was the night Dick broke his arm,and I reckon you are right about Vic. Vic was part of the Newport team in 64 for sure, then he went to Belle Vue in 65 and came back after Dick was injured. I do remember the incident of Geoff Penniket losing the tip of his finger-it was in 65 but when I'm not sure. Re Penniket at New Cross in 1963-according to Morrish's book they rode 17 Prov. League matches before closing. Squibb scored 186 pts. then good old Stan Stevens with 111 pts. then Bob Dugard with105 pts. then Geoff Penniket with 71 pts. I don't know how many matches each rode tho. It looks like after their closing Penniket went to Long Eaton and scored 17 pts. The Peter Morrish book is excellent-I just wish it had the averages in there. !!

Thanx Railway End now you jog my memory I recall that that's right-I think Clive Featherby must have had engine failure-I also agree with the previous post that riders like CF would pull the crowds in. There were others like him too e.g. Ivor Brown the guy we all loved to hate (except CH fans)-I thought the Prov League turned in great entertainment and I thought it was tremendous.

Thank you all - and thank you Britney-glad your dad is well.A piece of trivia-I think I saw your dad's last ever ride-in fact I am looking at the program. It was 9th July 1965 Newport v Sheffield(British League). Your dad fell in heat 6 while riding with Geoff Penniket against Bob Paulson and Clive Featherby. The program also indicates that Featherby retired from the race -which therefore ended a 3-2 to Sheffield(the late Bob Paulson won it)-perhaps your dad and Featherby collided-I can't remember. As far as I know he never returned to racing after that.Next time you see him pass on my good wishes ,tell him an expat in Canada remembers his racing career with affection and see if he can recall the incident also.Thanx again.

Anyone know what happened to the riders of the above-I know that Alby Golden,Ray Harris, Jack Biggs and Peter Vandenberg have sadly passed away and that Vic White is still very much with us in the W(V)SRA-does anyone know any info re Bob Hughes,Jon Erskine Dick Bradley and Geoff Penniket though??? Also later Newport riders Jimmy Gooch,John Bishop,Bill Andrew?? Thanx in advance.

Thanx guys-I have Peter Morrish's excellent book and Norbold think you might be right about Ivor Brown-also speedy guy have looked at some of the Star Digests-so I could figure out the total points scorers easily enough(from the Morrish book)-maybe I'll do that sometime-was the averages inc bonus points I was thinking of though. I think you are right though that might be impossible to do without looking at every match report. Thanx for the helpful info tho.

Does anybody know if there is anywhere a list of all-time stats for riders in that league e.g. total points and CMA-I would be interested to know who had the all time hi- average for all PL League matches -my guess would be Ivan Mauger with Charlie Monk second but I don't know-any help out there-I think it would be a mammoth research job as I think the averages of those seasons that were published did not include bonus points nor did a CMA which considered the numbers of rides-also KO cup matches were often included.

No they were unrelated-I think Jim was an Aussie

I'll never forget Brian at the 1964 British Final