keef

Attendances started falling in the 80s when the Danes and Yanks took over from the Brits as top dogs. Admission prices have gone up faster than inflation, but facilties have hardly improved. Britain is now well behind Poland and Sweden for quality of line-ups and training facilties.

Good to see The Robins duo top 2. Bruv, who lives in Adelaide, was chatting to Batch and the Sedgemens. Leigh Adams was also there.

Briggo Adams Crump Ashby Broady Kilby Autrey

Last years top 7 looking strong again. Will go for Somerset Ipswich Leicester Newcastle top 4.

Saw him in first race when we moved to Swindon in 1968, we 've supported the Robins ever since. Superb fearless competitor. For me Fundin was number 1 in 63 to about 65 with Briggo edging him out about 66-68, then Mauger top dog for a few years, until Olsen edged him out taking over as world number 1. Saw Briggo in untouchable form around Wimbledon in British semi around 66. Knutsson also one of the best in the mid-60s. Only Nielsen Gundersen Crump Rickardsson anywhere close for me since. Wardy should be as good as in future. Better than Holder IMO, judging by his Blunsdon performances.

I remember their Dad Reg more. World Finalist in 65 at Wembley, won by Knutsson. Former rider for Wimbledon, West Am and others. Think he had couple of records released on vinyl.

Its Marratastic news..hope the fans turnout and show their support.

More like para-limpian...paraletic and limping. Yes but I know you are for real though...but this guy is a bare-faced liar, a charlatan from Charlton.

Thanks everyone...hope i dont see him again, would be too embarassing for him!!!

Looking at my copy of "Speedway in London"can only count 14 ex-tracks rather than the 16 mentioned on the programme?

The bloke is living a double life, a parcel delivery driver by day, and a pretend ex-speedway rider at night. Was probably an ex-para as well!

Fascinating show Mr.Jacobs(at least they read me text out!). I drove past Hornshay Sreet on a "nostalgia tour" of sarf London a few weeks ago taking in New Cross/Millwall, Charlton, Dulwich. Simon Inglis was saying there were loads of running/athletic tracks, and cricket grounds now derelict/disappeared/built on. Website: www.playedinbritain.co.uk. Mentions of Walthamstow/Catford Dogs, White City, Ally Pally Horse racing course, Hendon/Fisher F.C.,and all the many defunct speedway stadiums, snapped up by property developers in the capital land grab. Sad there are no speedway tracks in London now, after being able to watch speedway every night pre-/post-war. Hopefully will be running another show on the subject.

I'm sure this geezer said he was Phil, number 6 in 76 and 77 for Poole, and retired from Reading in 78?. Perhaps he was telling porkies? Walked like a speedway rider though, with that pronounced limp that many have, may be living a double life!

Thanks for that.

Watching the Brum-Swindon match in a local pub in the town, got chatting to a guy who said he rode as number 6 for Poole in 1976. Anyone have any info on Mr. Phil Smith, a Swindon-born rider for the Dorset side who had to retire because of injury?

Used to get 5-figure crowds post-war and up to 20000...the famous pink n' blues shared with the pink and chocolates of Corinthian Casuals in the 60s at Champion Hill with crowds of 2/300. Remember an FA Cup tie against Watford, was about 8000 there, mostly Watford fans.Went there a few weeks ago, Sainsburys bought the ground and rebuilt the stadium next to the superstore, no longer holds 25,000 though..3000 now Smart little stadium, getting 2-300. Best team in Southwark still.

Hopefully will be listening to this next week. Memories of the old New Cross frying pan track and dog track, with Millwall's Den next door, plus the old Dulwich Hamlet ground and Charlton and Catford dog track, and Arsenal's Highbury, Walthamstow/Harringay dog track, with White City, Ackney and West Am's speedway tracks north of the river from the 60s/70s.

Bloody hell thats gone down a bit from the 1200 average when I used to go in 2004/5. Why have 500 marras deserted the club?

Would be sad for Cumbrian fans if Worky closes. Had some great saturday evenings there in 2004/5 when I lived near Carlisle. The days of Stoney/Steady. They used to average around 1200 what's happened up there? A worrying trend with crowd levels falling all over the UK.

Had trouble sleeping the other night when i realised the heat time was missing from my Swindon meeting prog. Had to get it from the local paper the next day.... Mixy and moxey, a famous double-act Speedway should be more involved with the local community, Swindon Town F.C. make a real effort.

Impressed by Ryan Douglas, any info on the lad?

Looking at the top 10 averages in the Star this week it was good to see mostly Brits in there, 7 of 'em, including Screeny, Ashworth, Auty, Worrall, Roynon, with Barker and Cookie the only 2 over 10.00. Good to see the 2 Aussie Robins, Doyley and Nicky the Kid Morris, up there as well, with ex-Swindon favourite Champagne Charlie G.

Was like that in the 60s/70s, from my experience in the scouts and Reading festivals, but I've been told it's relative luxury these days. Bucket-crapping has long gone, unless you're in the SAS ! Dunno why peeps pay these inflated prices in the city when they can stay further afield, or alternatively get a train or coach home if they want a few bevvies.

Swindon will be honouring Lee next year in a special memorial meeting at Blunsdon. And he was honoured 2 weeks ago at Steady's testimonial with the 1-minute silence. Hope there's a massive turn-out at Lakeside next month.

Not everyone bought the programme, especially at that price. Most people around us didn't have a prog. Was disappointing to just mention people wearing the shirts, and have some naff karaoke singer, and dance troupe given 10 minutes each. Poor show for GB's top-points scorer.