NOBBY Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 (edited) Can someone help me out here... I recently obtained a photo of a rider named Don Potter, leg trailing taking a bend. It's a fantastic action photo, and he is wearing a team bib with a star on it. The problem is that it is in black and white and therefore he could be riding for either Wimbledon or Norwich. Does anyone have any info on Don and who he rode for, dates etc. I have had no luck trolling through any reference books so far. Norbold...I feel sure you would know, but I would appreciate any info from anyone as it's become a bit of a quest for me to find out something now. Many thanks. NOBBY Edited February 23, 2005 by NOBBY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 Yes Norbold will know, but until he gets back from holiday I hope this bit of information about him will help as I remember him riding for Leicester in 1954. This is taken from Alan Jones book - Speedway in Leicester, the Hunters Era. Don Potter began his career at Fleetwood and then moved onto Liverpool before travelling south to ride for Stoke in 1953 where he became a big scorer for the Potteries club. Don was on the brink of heat leader status at Leicester until a crash in July sidelined him. He returned to his Blackpool home to recuperate from his injuries and whilst recovering announced his retirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 (edited) Thank you for the vote of confidence, Gem. Unfortunately I don't think I can help very much, other than to say, he definitely did not ride for Norwich. I don't know of him riding for Wimbledon either, but I'm not totally sure about that. p.s., just found this in the 1954 Stenner's under the report on Stoke: "One man deserved a medal for his constant trying, Don Potter. Model of a good teamster, Potter whipped life into the Sun Street side at the end to see the season out with at least a moderate amount of home success." Edited February 24, 2005 by norbold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 POTTER, Don 1949 30m 81pts 2.70ave Div 2, Fleetwood 1950 28m 205pts 7.32ave Div 2, Fleetwood 1951 29m 201pts 6.93ave Div 2, Fleetwood 1952 30m 187pts 6.23ave Div 2, Liverpool 1953 33m 235pts 7.12ave Div 2, Stoke 1954 6m 33pts 5.50ave Div 2, Leicester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBBY Posted February 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Thanks guys for the help, maybe I won't get to the bottom of the race jacket mystery, but at least I know more about the man himself. I suppose there is a slim chance that he may have guested for either Norwich or Wimbledon and it wasn't recorded officially, or raced in a friendly meeting, who knows. Stranger things happened in those bygone days !!! Thanks again. Best regards, Nobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stewart Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Thanks guys for the help, maybe I won't get to the bottom of the race jacket mystery, but at least I know more about the man himself. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's not a mystery, the Fleetwood Flyers race jacket was green with a red star. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBBY Posted February 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Well done mate...mystery solved. I'll have to find another one now to keep us all busy. Cheers Nobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 There is still one mystery regarding Mr Potter. As he appears not to have started riding until after the War why do you think he was leg trailing in your photograph, NOBBY? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 1954 6m 33pts 5.50ave Div 2, Leicester. Just one little thought to add. I find it quite amazing that I can remember Don Potter riding for the Lions, considering by the looks of the statistics he only rode in six meetings. I can even remember what he looked like as well, which is some sort of record in itself considering my difficulty recognising faces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBBY Posted February 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 There is still one mystery regarding Mr Potter. As he appears not to have started riding until after the War why do you think he was leg trailing in your photograph, NOBBY? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I can't really say, but I remember seeing a few riders leg trail now and again even in the sixties. Christer Lofqvist used to fly round the bend with his leg back sometimes...not all the time, but he was a bit of a daredevil and a complete blood and guts showman. I suppose it depended on how flamboyant the rider was. Failing that maybe the photo was taken just before he "stacked it" and the leg trail wasn't meant ?? That will be one mystery that I doubt could ever be solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 I remember seeing a few riders leg trail now and again even in the sixties. That reminds me...Do you remember Nev Slee at West Ham? He used to leg trail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBBY Posted February 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2005 I remember seeing a few riders leg trail now and again even in the sixties. That reminds me...Do you remember Nev Slee at West Ham? He used to leg trail. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The name rings a bell, but the memory ain't what it used to be. Was he a second half rider or did he ride for the Hammers ?? I think I remember him but didn't he only appear now and again ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted February 27, 2005 Report Share Posted February 27, 2005 Yes, he was a novice. I don't think he ever actually made the team but he did ride in the second half a number of times. He probably didn't make it because he was leg trailing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted February 27, 2005 Report Share Posted February 27, 2005 Neville Slee did make a few first team appearances for other sides. Edinburgh(66),Canterbury(68,70),Ipswich(69,70),Boston(70) I think he was an unfeasibly tall Australian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiganWarrior Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 Don Potter also promoted speedway at Wigan in 1960. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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