briggo Posted May 12, 2005 Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 A long-shot I know, but when I started watching Swindon back in '71, the track announcer was a certain Graham Guthrie. And as a young kid, I thought he was superb, entertaining, yet always fair. My question is, really about his life, how he got started in speedway, how he crafted his technique, anything really will be greatly appreciated. I know he sadly passed away circa 1974, so I'm not holding out too much hope. It also begs a question of this forum (apologies if it has been asked before), but who do you rate as the best ever track/stadium announcer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucket Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 (edited) I,m affraid I can't help you with info about Graham Guthrie, before my time but in my mind there's absolutely no doubt that Cloive Fisherrr would be, by far the best announcer Swindon have ever had, If you could only decipher what he's saying!!! Closely followed by 'Bazzer' Mathews, sadly overlooked on many occasions by the Swindon promotion, but on his day star of the show even down to singing Elvis songs to the crowd. Top man! Edited May 13, 2005 by bucket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Any review of announcers must take into account the plummy voice of Ken Wrench, and if we're including presenters there have been none finer than the great Dick Barrie, much loved at Hyde Road in the 1980s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 I liked Bert Harrison at Swindon, but that's probably because he lived just round the corner from my mum and dad and announced my birthday once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 I always liked Peter Arnold and Ted Sear, but I have to say Terry Ripo as he is a friend of mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 The Best? look no further than Kevin Coombes at Eastbourne, - a true professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Ah, but it's not all about professionalism, is it? Ken Wrench is known to make periodic mistakes, but that's part of his charm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 A long-shot I know, but when I started watching Swindon back in '71, the track announcer was a certain Graham Guthrie. Was he the one who was dead droll and used to also make comments about people in the crowd? I think this would be about the time we used to drag the children round different speedway tracks when they were too young to protest. If so - yes - I thought he was very good as I have always remembered him, but wasn't sure of his name. David Hammond never seems to get a mention when there are topics about announcers, but I reckon he is pretty good at Coventry and Oxford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 And what about David Hamilton the radio chap, when he was at Reading, he was good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Main Man Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Despite having done the job myself for many years (and still a spring chicken!!) my favourite is Edwin Overland --always on top form, articulate, knowledgable and a nice guy too!!! Craig Saul is another who does a top class job and always does his homework thoroughly on the riders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Yes I have done it myself at several tracks too, it's not easy particularly if there are lots of Czechs and Poles. blimey Main Man if you are a spring Chicken, I haven't hatched yet!!! I understand Kevin will be doing Cardiff this year - a excellent choice if you ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 The Best? look no further than Kevin Coombes at Eastbourne, - a true professional. I've only heard him at Brighton but he is without a doubt, the best I have heard. Most announcers are just that, "an announcer" and I don't remember names or anything about them, the fact I can clearly remember Kevin suggests he is good (or bad like the Tesco announcer at Rye House). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxford duke Posted May 14, 2005 Report Share Posted May 14, 2005 What about the late, great Doug Adams? He did Sheffield and Bradford (occasionally) and halifax? As for graham guthrie, I typed his name into google as I was intrigued. Was he a stockcar promoter also? If so, this might be him: http://giswww1.bcit.ca/dkipling/images/Joh...GuthrieMiss.jpg I believe it is the same man, as on this website, http://www.nirwebzine.co.uk/History/bev%20History.htm it says that the stockcar Guthrie died in August1974. See below By the mid sixties, the first contact had been made with then owner/promoter John La Trobe and his Manager the late Graham Guthrie. This was in connection with a Magazine, The "Stockcar Supporter". Mr La Trobe allowed the Mag to be sold, provided he never saw anyone actually selling it, whilst Manager Graham Guthrie went against instructions from within BRISCA and actually wrote features for it. It was all a bit fraught, but good fun, thus began a relationship with the Stadium that has lasted until the present day. It was in 1967 that life began as a Stockcar commentator and in 1969 Graham Guthrie extended and invitation to do an odd meeting or two at Brafield. A couple of years after that, the chance came to become the resident man on the mic, the rest as they say is history. Working with Graham Guthrie was a privilege; so much was learnt from him. Beneath his often-gruff exterior he was a very kind man ready to help if you had a problem. He became a friend, after meetings we would go off to Towcester, have a meal, wind down. It was a blow when Graham was taken ill, died in August 1974. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted May 15, 2005 Report Share Posted May 15, 2005 As soon as I saw this thread it rang a few bells, so I've dug out some of my early programmes. The first ever match I went to at Swindon was Swindon v Wolves on Saturday, August 17, 1974. Announcer: Graham Guthrie. The second match I went to at Swindon was a 4TT between Swindon, Exeter, Newport, Oxford on Saturday September 7, 1974. Announcer: John Sutton. This is taken from the 4TT programme of September 7 1974. Graham Guthrie It is with deep regret that we have to announce that Graham Guthrie passed away on Saturday, August 31st. It was typical of the man that he had battled bravely against serious illness over the past months and was still able to inject his own brand of humour into the proceedings. It is fair to say that from the time he joined us in 1965, Graham had established himself as an integral part of the Blunsdon scene and was unique in his style as an announcer. To his family and friends we extend our sympathy. He will be sadly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Do you remember that chap at Wimbledon who always called Ivan Mauger Ivan Morger! now he was boring, Ted Sear was very good and Dave Lanning at Wimbledon in the late 80's was excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngy105 Posted June 4, 2005 Report Share Posted June 4, 2005 Ken Wrench without a doubt...his voice is synonomous with Belle Vue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireblade Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 Of the current lot, Shaun Leigh takes some beating as an anouncer and as far as presenters go, Craig Saul is very good. The worst - Dave Willsher ex-Rye House and I have to say worst presenter, well you try enduring Terry Hardaker week afetr week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
father jack Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 Didn't Ted Sear do the World Finals at Wembley, he was very good, but reminds of Harry Enfields ' Mr Chumley - Warner ' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireblade Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 Ted was well-spoken and a pleasant guy. A very 1950's style announcer, the last I saw of him was in 1989 at Wimbledon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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