David Croucher Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 I received a telephone call this morning with the sad news that Alby Golden has passed away yesterday (Sunday 18th). Alby had been very unwell since Easter, and fought a brave battle against cancer in Hospital for the last few months. He will be best remembered by former Saints fans as one of the Team that lifted the National League Title in 1962, but other fans across the country will remember Alby as an Eastbourne rider and Captain of Newport, where he took the Team, in 1964, to KO Cup glory in their first Season after Southampton had closed. Alby was a quiet Gentleman, and a great Speedway Rider who was respected and admired by both the fans and his fellow Riders alike. As a lifelong family friend, I will always consider it a privilege to have known Alby and my heart goes out to his devoted Wife Joan and the Golden Family. Messages of sympathy may be sent to me at the address below, and I will make sure they get to the family. # Name Removed # PO Box 266 Southampton SO40 3XW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 As you say David, very sad news indeed. I was lucky enough to see Alby ride in years gone by and indeed it was a pleasure to see him at the Isle of Wight a couple of years ago. As you say, one of the sport's real gentlemen. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fron Goch Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 That is sad news. Alby was in the Newport team when I went to my first ever speedway meeting way back in 1966, having recently looked back through my old autograph books he must have thought I was mad as there were over a dozen Alby autographs in one year's book but he always said hello, smiled and signed. I also had a pair of his tear off goggles which apparently I wore all day and night until they fell apart! Also remember the Newport fans singing "Alby is golden" to the song Silence is golden by (?) the Tremaloes? Happy memories of when I was knee high to a grasshopper Condolences to all his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mart W Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 Sad news indeed, Alby was my first hero when my Dad took me to the old Somerton Park in 1964. My deepest sympathy to all his family. Alby will always be fondly remembered in Newport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise1445 Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 Such sad news, I too first saw Alby ride at Newport when I was a child. He was as you say a gentlemen and seemed to have a smile and would take time out to speak to anyone, regardless of how the evening had gone. One of a sadly vanishing breed. My deepest sympathy to his wife and his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Steve Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 I am saddened by the news of the passing of Alby. I am to young to have seen him ride but was lucky enough to have had several wonderful conversations with him at Poole last season. A true gent and a sad loss. Our thoughts are with his family Steve George and Laura Piper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Main Man Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 May I add my condolences along with my brother Gareth of the passing of Alby --memories of Somerton Park and the Wasps led by Alby (remember the words of the Wasps song "Were led by Alby Golden and he's backed by six good boys" --Glory, Glory to the Black and Amber Boys etc!!. As said in previous postings --a true gent who always had the time for a chat when we met. RIP Alby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railway End Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 Very sad news. Alby was Mr Newport speedway for many years and was also known by non speedway people in Newport. The support he had the night he won the welsh open back in 1967 was unbelievable. Condolences to Joan and family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Croucher Posted July 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 The funeral arrangements for Alby are as follows. Tuesday 27th July at 12.00 noon. St Mary the Virgin Church Eling Hill Totton Southampton SO40 9HF Phone: 02380866426 The Church is approached from Totton via a Toll Bridge which is Free of Charge for those people visiting the Church. It is a little difficult to find, so please refer to this Map for guidance. http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?cli...pe=&scale=50000 http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?cli...pe=&scale=10000 David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickiemint Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 (edited) To Dave # Name Removed # Could you please contact me re details of Albys career. Thanks Richard Edited July 20, 2004 by dickiemint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady of the manor Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 So sad to hear this news, I met Alby a few times with Dad, he was a lovely man, such a sad loss for his family. RIP Alby. Yvonne & family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fron Goch Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 We're led by Alby Golden and he's backed by six good boys" --Glory, Glory to the Black and Amber Boys etc!!. I'd forgotten that just started singing again, it ended - "Glory glory Alby Golden and his soul goes marching on!" Indeed it does - I'll never forget him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Saint Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 I am sad to hear the news but at least Alby's name will live on amongst speedway fans everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Croucher Posted July 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2004 (edited) I have just received an Email saying a minutes silence was observed at Newport Speedway on Sunday 25th July prior to the staging of the CL Meeting between the Mavericks and Oxford. On behalf of Alby's many friends and followers, may I say a sincere thank you to the person who arranged for this to be done. I will make sure the family are informed of this respectful and thoughtful gesture. David. Edited July 26, 2004 by David Croucher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Steve Posted July 26, 2004 Report Share Posted July 26, 2004 We're led by Alby Golden and he's backed by six good boys" --Glory, Glory to the Black and Amber Boys etc!!. I'd forgotten that just started singing again, it ended - "Glory glory Alby Golden and his soul goes marching on!" Indeed it does - I'll never forget him What a wonderful tribute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Croucher Posted July 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2004 At 12.30 on Tuesday 27th July, the Sun shone on the Church of St Mary the Virgin at Eling, about a mile from where Alby Golden was born 73 years ago. Joan and the Children, followed by their 7 Grandchildren followed Alby's Coffin into the Church packed to capacity as just a number of the many hundreds of people with whom Alby had become acquainted over the course of his accomplished lifetime, waited to pay their respects to this most modest of Gentlemen. The Mourners had filed past a lone Speedway Bike at the entrance to the Church, some of whom were in their 80's, some young, some had travelled hundreds of miles, some had been fans, some riders, but the common denominator was that they were all there for a man they admired and respected. A half an hour service ensued, followed by a short walk down Eling Hill to the Cemetery where the Hearse was greeted by the sound of a 2 Valve Jawa at the Cemetery gate. The engine revved for a few moments as it seemed to play the Last Post for Alby and the Family and the Mourners filed past a billboard with Photos and Press cuttings from Alby's racing days. A 500 JAP was also there as if to complete the story. The 2 machines that Alby Golden had spent over half his adult life riding. Alby was laid to rest in a beautiful and peaceful place, next to Eling Creek, and on the edge of the New Forest where he had spent his entire life and which he loved so much. Rest in peace Alby. God bless you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted July 31, 2004 Report Share Posted July 31, 2004 What a lovely send off! RIP Alby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted July 8, 2018 Report Share Posted July 8, 2018 Hard to believe 14 years have passed. Alby was a great guy, he won the first race of the first meeting I ever saw(June 1964)-broke the track record at Somerton Park also in that same race!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 17, 2019 Report Share Posted January 17, 2019 I first saw Alby Golden when he rode for Ringwood in a Southern Area League match at California-in-England early in the 1954 season. The other Ringwood rider of note was Ernie Lessiter, again sadly passed away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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