AmberCelt Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 I recently got some 1971 Belle Vue programmes which contained one for a Rochdale league double header-this I understand but there is another for a challenge match between Cradley and Glasgow-why were Belle Vue hosting this anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BertHoven Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 I recently got some 1971 Belle Vue programmes which contained one for a Rochdale league double header-this I understand but there is another for a challenge match between Cradley and Glasgow-why were Belle Vue hosting this anyone know? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I can't answer your question. Perhaps you should contact the Glasgoe management. I would, respectfully, like to ask you a question: Why is your 'signature' so overstated and garish? It really detracts from the post itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 The reason was because the Aces were riding away that night and the promotion didn't want a blank date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmberCelt Posted August 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 The reason was because the Aces were riding away that night and the promotion didn't want a blank date. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Makes you wonder who would attend such a pointless fixture(a bit like watching the Wasps this year). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 (edited) Belle Vue were away touring in Russia and, as someone rightly mentioned, there was therefore a blank date at Hyde Road. Glasgow and Cradley Heath were invited to take part in a neutral-track challenge as they were considered to be the two best visiting sides to Belle Vue in 1971. For the record Glasgow won 47-31. There were two "star" guests, Ivan Mauger riding for the Tigers and Ole Olsen for the Heathens. This was probably a reasonably successful venture. Younger fans probably don't appreciate just how much of a night out Saturday at Belle Vue was prior to the 1980s. There was so much to do there quite apart from the speedway and thousands flocked to the area at the weekend. Changed days. This wasn't a unique occurence at Hyde Road. On June 4 1977 the Aces were away (at Cradley I think) and the stadium was used for the National League Pairs championship. Bizarrely Glasgow's remaining riders (i.e. minus Collins and Dawson) were winning 40-38 in a challenge match at Berwick the very same night. The meetings at Berwick and Cradley must have had some impact on the attendance at Belle Vue and for me shows how complacent the authorities were at that time. It wouldn't be allowed nowadays. Edited August 8, 2005 by Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiganWarrior Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 I went to the Glasgow - Cradley challenge at Belle Vue in 1971. Being speedway fans and not just biased fans of one team there was a good crowd as the atmosphere at Belle Vue was great in those days and it was better than a Saturday night without racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 This sort of fixture was not uncommon at one time. I recall other instances where gaps in the calendar were filled by assorted challenges between riders from various sources. And as I remember it the fans were usually delighted to see riders trying hard despite the apparently arbitrary nature of the fixtures, too. Perhaps they would not put in the same effort nowadays, given the schedule of most leading riders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjw ministerofport Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Why was Ivan not with the Belle Vue team touring Russia?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW Posted August 26, 2005 Report Share Posted August 26, 2005 Why was Ivan not with the Belle Vue team touring Russia?. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Possibly his continental bookings meant he wasnt available to tour? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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