SwineTown Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 I would be interested in anyone who was involved in Speedway or dogs at MK to get in touch - esp those with some or any knowledge of how it all came to an end. Send me a message or post here - or email me on speed_1 @ hotmail.co.uk (take out the spaces!) Many thanks ST Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concrete Cowboy Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 I would be interested in anyone who was involved in Speedway or dogs at MK to get in touch - esp those with some or any knowledge of how it all came to an end. Send me a message or post here - or email me on speed_1 @ hotmail.co.uk (take out the spaces!) Many thanks ST <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Do you mean the end of speedway at Groveway stadium (greyhound track), or the end of Elfield park (standalone speedway) ?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concrete Cowboy Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 This article from the excellent SPEEDWAYPLUS website should answer most of your questions. http://www.speedwayplus.com/elfield_park.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 I announced at the Groveway in the mid eighties. Without breaching too much confidentiality the crowds simply weren't good enough to keep it going. The move to Elfield Park didn't improve matters and problems with the design of the place, principally the drainage made the situation far worse and eventually caused problems with the authorities. Like so many failed tracks they simply weren't making enough money despite the huge efforts of promoters like Ted Jarvis and Terry Cheney and their many helpers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 This article from the excellent SPEEDWAYPLUS website should answer most of your questions. http://www.speedwayplus.com/elfield_park.shtml <{POST_SNAPBACK}> An excellent insight into the problems encountered. Unfortunately society still has the mindless element within. Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 Still praying for the Knights to return at some point. I'm sure it would be feasible now, as the population is still increasing at an alarming rate. Not sure where it could be held now though (except where the new dog track is to be built)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwineTown Posted August 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 Thanks for the replies people. It ws Elfield in particular and the way in which that folded. Thanks for the Speedway Plus link - always my favourite speedway site but forgot to check it out for this one! Always makes me sad reading these stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 As a footnote we had a rather unusual round of the four team tournament at Rye House in 1992 with both Milton Keynes and Mildenhall appearing, despite the news that both were sadly about to close. Indeed I don't think their legs were staged but it is a long time ago now and my memory is flawed. There was a real sense of speedway contracting at the time, and a fear that it was not quite accidental. Rye House followed suit in 1993 and not long after there was the amalgamated league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshy26 Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 The reasons that Elfield Park closed had alot to do with a selection of other promoters wanting the place closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 "Culling" was strongly suspected to allow the creation of one league of theoretically viable teams. I am sure that the former NL sides involved soon found out the reality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshy26 Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 As far as I understand Terry Cheney had the last laugh as he still owns the rights to any speedway promotion in Milton Keynes until 2017. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baulkio Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 As far as I understand Terry Cheney had the last laugh as he still owns the rights to any speedway promotion in Milton Keynes until 2017. I hope Terry's right in what he said in his article "Will speedway ever return to Milton Keynes? Yes, it is inevitable!" Like Wizard, I too am still hoping that the Milton Keynes Knights will return! Has anyone got Mr Cheney's number..... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper-racing.co.uk Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) Still praying for the Knights to return at some point. I'm sure it would be feasible now, as the population is still increasing at an alarming rate. Not sure where it could be held now though (except where the new dog track is to be built)? The new dog track was supposed to be built - well have a guess... on the old Elfield park site lol I doubt it will ever happen if Stadia UK have anything to do with it. Its a shame Reading have been treated in exactly the same way - and Swindon was even threatened and may still be subject to their curse!!!! It would be nice to have some sort of Scunny type facility in this area though - A lot of people would benefit for sure. The Hockey stadium would be ideal - but unfortunately its likely to be teared down to be replaced by Offices for the Rail companies. Seems a bit of a waste to me - especially as its original purpose was changed to accomodate the Football. Edited September 23, 2009 by snapper-racing.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baulkio Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 The new dog track was supposed to be built - well have a guess... on the old Elfield park site lol I doubt it will ever happen if Stadia UK have anything to do with it. Its a shame Reading have been treated in exactly the same way - and Swindon was even threatened and may still be subject to their curse!!!! It would be nice to have some sort of Scunny type facility in this area though - A lot of people would benefit for sure. The Hockey stadium would be ideal - but unfortunately its likely to be teared down to be replaced by Offices for the Rail companies. Seems a bit of a waste to me - especially as its original purpose was changed to accomodate the Football. I think even the new dog track plans for Elfield Park have moved on... see the following link http://www.thenationalbowl.net/pdfs/leaflet.pdf , that was from 2006 though and there doesn't look to be much progress to date... and no mention of a combined dog track / speedway venue.. like the old days Totally agree ref the Scunny type facility... by that I guess you mean the training days on the mini track... for a developing town (new city) that Milton Keynes is, it's a shame we've been without speedway for so long.... especailly when it started in 1978 when the developments in MK were in their infancy... MK has the potential for a cracking set up like Scunthorpe...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireblade Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I announced at the Groveway in the mid eighties. Without breaching too much confidentiality the crowds simply weren't good enough to keep it going. The move to Elfield Park didn't improve matters and problems with the design of the place, principally the drainage made the situation far worse and eventually caused problems with the authorities. Like so many failed tracks they simply weren't making enough money despite the huge efforts of promoters like Ted Jarvis and Terry Cheney and their many helpers. I was at Mk most weeks in the late 80's with Mike Bennett and to be honest crowds were better than a lot of tracks. The Groveway ended because the stadium owners wanted them out. Elfield Park - great track was always getting vandalised. Team Man is the one you want for info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DK Rides Again Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I was at Mk most weeks in the late 80's with Mike Bennett and to be honest crowds were better than a lot of tracks. The Groveway ended because the stadium owners wanted them out. Elfield Park - great track was always getting vandalised. Team Man is the one you want for info. They may have been better than most, but that doesn't mean that it was enough. I spent a fair bit of time at the Groveway, after my brother moved to MK in the late 70s, and I don't remember having to push people out of the way to get a good viewing position; after being a regular at Wimbledon, I kept expecting some tumbleweed to come drifting past. I still have my Knights pin badge though, and I still think that nickname is one of the best that's ever been attached to a speedway team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 i used to enjoy going to the groveway but it was a real pain to get to by train. the nearest station was bletchley which was either a long walk or wait for an unreliable bus service. elfield park was nearer the new milton keynes central station, still a fair walk but not as far as the groveway. i liked going to both tracks but will it ever return, who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WembleyLion Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Speedway in MK would be good news for me living only 20 miles or so away. Sadly I cannot see it happening anytime soon so I'll have to stick with those memories of the Groveway (and the steep slope exiting the pits) and Elfield Park (with the steep 'terracing' which provided some great vantage points). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardrew Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Can anyone help me with a colour picture of the MK Knights race jacket from 1985? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erasuretim Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Can anyone help me with a colour picture of the MK Knights race jacket from 1985? Try the "milton keynes knights speedway" group on facebook, somebody may have a pic. Regards Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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