John Leslie Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 If he is only having one, it's just a 10 years service to Cventry testimonial<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Like I and others have already corrected you...He ISN'T a Coventry asset! If he'd had one for 10 years service to Coventry (whom he transferred to in 1992) it would have been in 2001....but he didn't, and he subsequently transferred away from Coventry in 2005 (Even though you didn't know this). However having signed his first contract as a 16 year old in 1982, he completes 25 years service to the sport in 2006 and gets a much deserved testimonial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killer Cat from Mars Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Great to hear Smudger is getting a Testimonial. I remember his first meetings in 1982 and I remember when Dick Barrie was the Centre Green man at Hyde Road, they used to play "Fox on the Run" by The Sweet every time Smithy won a race. Most forum members are probably too young to remember this I assume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 (edited) Not me, though! Great memory, Hawk - Smudger did indeed win plenty of races in those days, mostly from impossible positions so far back you thought he was more likely to trail in last. I thought he was the best 16-year old since Ronnie Moore. We'd been watching him ride in non-competitive training sessions for some time beforehand and knew just how breathtaking he was - there was nothing the lad couldn't do. By the time he reached his 16th birthday and signed a contract, nobody was at all disappointed. Great days. Edited February 5, 2006 by AndyM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Butler Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Great to hear Smudger is getting a Testimonial. I remember his first meetings in 1982 and I remember when Dick Barrie was the Centre Green man at Hyde Road, they used to play "Fox on the Run" by The Sweet every time Smithy won a race. Most forum members are probably too young to remember this I assume <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You assume too much Young Hawk. There is a copy of my birth certificate in the British Museum and Subedei's was carved on tablets of stone. I see from your Profile that you, by contrast, are too timid to state your age Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 If he'd had one for 10 years service to Coventry (whom he transferred to in 1992) it would have been in 2001....but he didn't, and he subsequently transferred away from Coventry in 2005 (Even though you didn't know this). So you are saying SCB is wrong? Hope he's not thrown his T-Shirt away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 We shall see, Andy stated in the Speedway Star about 2 month ago, he was going to have a testimonial for 10 years service to Coventry as he had not held it in 2004 as he did not have a team at the start of the year and that there were reasons for not holding it last season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Most forum members are probably too young to remember this I assume *holds hand up* I first remember Smith riding for Coventry, then Bradford and then Swindon. He was crap at Cradley though, consdiering that he rides Kirky Lane, the old Brandon and Odsal so well Inever understood why he was awful at Cradley. He;'s also dreadful at Monmore. I thought he was the best 16-year old since Ronnie Moore. Best 16 year old I saw was Joe Screen, remember him turning up at reserve for the Aces at Dudley Wood and some how conjuring a 45 all draw in late '89 I think. It was about 4 days after his 16th Birthday. Back then Morton & the Morans ruled the Ace's roost and were always pants at Cradley. I believe I have the match on video, I'm gonna have a hunt around the spare room it's bound to be floating around in there. If Smith was half as good at that age he must have looked good. Anyway back to Smudger, hopefully in September Manchesters awful weather will allow a fairly deep track and some of his old partners in crime - Havelock, Wilson, Thorp will show up along with the current Ace's mob. I'll be there, every time I havent seen him at Dudley Wood or Monmore he's be very entertaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bananas Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Best 16 year old I saw was Joe Screen, remember him turning up at reserve for the Aces at Dudley Wood and some how conjuring a 45 all draw in late '89 I think. It was about 4 days after his 16th Birthday.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Joe's birthday is in November. Do they have matches in November?????????!!!!!!!!! Plus he was born in 1972, so if it was late '89, he was nearly 17!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Besides, however good Joe was at 16 I think Smudge was better. But for injuries and his (lack of) gating technique he could easily have followed PC to a world title. Young 'uns may be surprised to hear it, but he really was that good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builderbob Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 yes smudge was that good and is still a great credit to the sport he also is one of the best tutors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Joe's birthday is in November. Do they have matches in November?????????!!!!!!!!! Plus he was born in 1972, so if it was late '89, he was nearly 17!!! OK, so I got that wrong. It was about a week after he got into the Ace's first team, Juneish - I assumed they'd not used him before because he wasn't 16 until then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21st century heathen Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Wrong.He signed for Belle Vue in 1982 and rode in their championship winning team. So his 25th year is this year 2006. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So to have 25 years service he will have to complete this season. Therefore, he will not be able to have a 25 year service match until next season. SCB was right. Anyway. I have to say that I could never really take to Andy, and I don't know why. I don't know him, nor have I spoken to him. I have no problem with him on or off track. Just one of those riders I don't really feel one way or the other about. However, I recognise that for his years of dedicated service he deserves the testimonial, whatever form it has come in. All the best to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Like Jason Lyons he's a bit shy and tongue-tied off-track, but eminently likeable. Does his talking on the track instead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 he's a bit shy and tongue-tied off-track, but eminently likeable. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Agree. I've put the date in my diary for a trip "up country". Let's hope the weather's O.K and that he gets a good turn out of riders and fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bananas Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 So to have 25 years service he will have to complete this season. Therefore, he will not be able to have a 25 year service match until next season. SCB was right. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> He's having it mid-september so this season will be practically over. Don't nit-pick!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 So to have 25 years service he will have to complete this season. Therefore, he will not be able to have a 25 year service match until next season. No, you have your 25th season testimonial in your 25th season. Same as you have a testimonial for 10 years with one club in the 10th year. If he waits until next year it will be his 26th year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 21st CH You can have a testimonial during the qualfying year so perhaps JL is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Wato has done 10 season in the UK this season but he is not having a testamonial until next season, I thouhgt he was due a testamonial this season, seems the BSPA disagree. Another reaosn for me to dislike the shoddy way testamonials are handed out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionheart Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Yes this date is a must for my diary One things for sure. If they put the dirt back on Kirky Lane that has been missing for far too long, old Smudger will show how speedway should be ridden. He is one of the very few riders who can cope with a REAL speedway track. I think that is why he never achieved the heights. His lack of gating ability meant that on the slick tracks where the race is over after turn two, he was always going to struggle. A great pity that he could not be back at his spiritual home for this season (Well nearly, with Hyde Rd having gone). Anyway, Good Luck Smudger, and thanks for the thrills (And spills ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addy Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Like Jason Lyons he's a bit shy and tongue-tied off-track, but eminently likeable. Does his talking on the track instead! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> His whole family are eminently likeable. I was sitting on his table at the dinner dance last year and he managed to have me crying with laughter at one point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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