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Guest Dick Searle

Kevin, Chris was passionate about speedway but he was no businessman. When he took over from Mawdsley he hadn't a clue how to run a speedway promotion. Quite a few of us helped out (including Maurice Morley) but it was always a bit of a mess. He lost a ton of money and I don't believe he could afford to run another season. 1987 was a difficult year with the change in track once the dogs started and the attendance plunged. I think he was too proud to tell anyone the trouble he was in and too disorganised to pursue the planning permission. There were enough of us around who would have helped but he simply never asked. I'm sure the strain of it all was one of the factors in his tragic early death.

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Thanks for those pictures Steve, sure brought back some memories. That wall in the pits, I sat on that before every meeting, kind of a superstition thing I suppose. The bottom picture of Steves, the one next to it of Grachans & the ones on the Speedway Plus sight are all taken from the same spot (I think, in the pits). I think I have a photo from the same spot, but with no dog track, will try & scan it to Grachen so he can put them all together

Cheers Mark

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Guest Dick Searle

Kevin, Terry Waller walked away early in '87 season. that was part of chris's problem as the whole financial burden fell on him. I could never really understand why Terry got involved in the first place - he was not much of a speedway enthusiast. Chris had two great ambitions - to be a speedwat promoter and own a Rolls Royce. at least he achieved both before he died.

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Like you say Dick, there were quite a few people willing to help if only he had asked, Pride is a terrible thing! Ruined our speedway and at the end of the day his life too. I liked Chris Galvin and even El Tel had character ... his shirts at times beat Steve Hones' ;) just a shame they both got involved on the promotion side. Didn't El Tel have something to do with Iwade too? Remember him being there most Sunday afternoons, did he not take that over for a while?

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Guest Dick Searle

Sharon, I remember Terry's shirts well - unfortunately. I'm not sure about him being involved at Iwade although I've got a hunch that you might be right. Like you I liked Chris and it was sad that he died so young.

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I remember Terry's Hawaiian shirts also... and his constant tan.

He always brought his son along with him too.

I thought Terry was ok... I didn't know the reasons behind him going but he certainly was a character.

 

his shirts at times beat Steve Hones'

I used to wear some er... 'different' t-shirts at Canterbury.

The supporters would ask me what I had on so I just thought 'lets get some people going'.

Was all going ok until Wally Mawdsley threatened to sack me due to one of the hats I wore!! All I wanted to do was have a good time at speedway, whether it be riding or with the supporters.

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Was all going ok until Wally Mawdsley threatened to sack me due to one of the hats I wore!! All I wanted to do was have a good time at speedway, whether it be riding or with the supporters.

 

Must have been a hell of a hat though Steve!!

 

Right, here's a question for everyone. Apparently I can get 3 meetings from 1987 for £20 from re-run video, so can anyone think of any particular meetings that might be worth getting? Can't be that difficult - it's only 16 years ago!

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Must have been a hell of a hat though Steve!!

 

er.. it was rather rude :oops: and i went to see someone in the main stand.... just where Wally was sitting.

 

I also went in for the Miss Canterbury Speedway competition in 86 or 87.

I wore a wig, long skirt, and stuffed a load of padding up my top. I also had Doctor Martin boots on!! I have a photo to prove it too!!

I came joint 2nd with Ian Cox :D (girl that won it went on to win Miss National League at Coventry)

 

Nothing was said by Wally about that.

maybe he fancied me?... who knows?

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Mawdsley Steet, only joking Mr Glover- After all there is a Hoskins Close on the old Custom House track!

Spotted that one Mr T and that is going too far!

Nice one Steve Hone,then and now photes are very thought provoking and I found it all too much when I looked in at the remains of the stadium last year on the anniversary of the grand opening in May '68, very happy memories,sadly it seems never to return. :-(

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  • 2 weeks later...

With 1916 views why have we only got 300 odd postings on here, come on you Crusader fans and Ex Riders where are ya hiding! Lets have some more of your memories of good ol' Kingsmead posted on here. I for one love to read them and re-live my childhood!!!!! Barney you have loads of stories as we found out @ Coventry, put them on here so everyone can have a laugh :roll: those inside stories are the best ones ;)

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With 1916 views why have we only got 300 odd postings on here, come on you Crusader fans and Ex Riders where are ya hiding! Lets have some more of your memories of good ol' Kingsmead posted on here. I for one love to read them and re-live my childhood!!!!! Barney you have loads of stories as we found out @ Coventry, put them on here so everyone can have a laugh :roll: those inside stories are the best ones ;)
hi im back yer i can tell you a couple of stories :D
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Hey Barney, remember when you and Mitch got into it a Eastbourne? :roll:

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