BOBBATH Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Anybody know what Charlie Monk is doing these days-he'd be 66 now-in 1964 he was the one PL rider who seemed to beat Ivan most frequently(with all due respect to the late Ivor Brown) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoMinuteWarning Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 There were a couple of recent pics of Charlie in February's Australian paper, Peter White's Speedway World. Great to see, as I well remeber Charlie causing one of speedway's biggest surprises back in 1965 when he won the Internationale at Wimbledon. The pics were taken at one of several reunions organised by Reg Fearman. The Adelaide one, which Charlie attended, also featured Geoff Mudge, Malcolm Mackay, Dennis Gavros, Robin Amundsen, John Boulger, Bryan Elliott, Dene Davies, and Kym Amundson. I do hope Peter White dosen't mind, but I scanned one of the pics, which you can see at http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/speedway3/monk.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I well remeber Charlie causing one of speedway's biggest surprises back in 1965 when he won the Internationale at Wimbledon. I was there. For some reason which I can't remember now, I really hated Charlie Monk at the time and I even went so far as to write to the Speedway Star complaining that Charlie Monk shouldn't have won as he should have been disqualified in one race for crossing the white line. Fortunately they didn't publish the letter. Well, I was very young then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoMinuteWarning Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 I was there. For some reason which I can't remember now, I really hated Charlie Monk at the time and I even went so far as to write to the Speedway Star complaining that Charlie Monk shouldn't have won as he should have been disqualified in one race for crossing the white line. Fortunately they didn't publish the letter. Well, I was very young then... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, I remember seeing him as a Provincial league rider and didn't like him at all, based on the fact that he always looked so miserable! (apparently, he was just shy). But when I saw him win the Internationale I quickly changed my mind (oh, how fickle we were ...) for he beat all the home riders plus Fundin, Booey, Knutsson, etc. Only bad part of that meeting was the bad back injury suffered by Ivor Brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 My first speedway hero Mr Charles Monk . He was supposed to come over to Glasgow for our 60th anniversary meeting , but sadly suffered an accident when he fell off a roof shortly before being due to come over . Mr maximum Monk is revered in Glasgow and although always seemed stern and aloof will always be remembered as one of the greatest ever Glasgow Tigers . We even forgive that unexplicable decision to go over to the dark side late on in his career . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Brings back memories all right, Glasgow Tigers coming down to Somerton Park. (Incidentally Charlie's Christian name was Warren). If it wasn't Jimmy Mac, Charlie was always the one to beat - just ask Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Ove Fundin, Jim Airey, Nigel Boocock - the list goes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Just about remember him riding, but the one thing I do remember about him is how miserable he always looked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Just about remember him riding, but the one thing I do remember about him is how miserable he always looked. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And there was also that one horrible season , 71 i think , when rider control dragged him screaming and kicking down to your lot Spin King . Happily the following year he was back where he belonged . And your right i don't think there is a photograph in existance with Charlie smiling . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 And there was also that one horrible season , 71 i think , when rider control dragged him screaming and kicking down to your lot Spin King . Happily the following year he was back where he belonged . And your right i don't think there is a photograph in existance with Charlie smiling . <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 71 I would be 7 at the time, so my recollection is not very clear about Charles, I always thought that it was earlier than that, around 69 when he went to Sheffield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted February 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Thanx everybody,particularly great to see the photo.-my best Charlie Monk memory was the PL Rders Final in 1964-Charlie finished third in his first ride -surprisingly-Bill Andrews came from behind to win and Jimmy Squibb just came second,the rider finishing fourth was Jon Erskine. Charlie then won all his other races including beating Ivan Mauger.Ivan dropped another point to Roy trigg. In the run off Ivan beat Charlie. I fo nly Charlie had finished second in his first race he would have got it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 71 I would be 7 at the time, so my recollection is not very clear about Charles, I always thought that it was earlier than that, around 69 when he went to Sheffield. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You might be right SK - i was only a wean myself . I just remember it happening and being most upset about it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 You might be right SK - i was only a wean myself . I just remember it happening and being most upset about it . <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I cannot remember did he go back to Glasgow, or did he then move onto Halifax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Charlie rode for Glasgow 1964-67,69-72.He rode for Sheffield in 1968 after asking and getting a transfer. He went on to ride for Halifax,Barrow and finally Edinburgh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Charlie rode for Glasgow 1964-67,69-72.He rode for Sheffield in 1968 after asking and getting a transfer. He went on to ride for Halifax,Barrow and finally Edinburgh. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Edinburgh and Barrow are round the other way. Edinburgh '77 and Barrow '78. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Charlie Monk, my all time favourite. He did have a sense of humour,one time while getting his autograph at Old Meadowbank he put a cross on George Hunters photo !!!! True he was a man of few words,and later on in his career at Powderhall for the Monarchs he used what may well have been the prototype yellow kevlar suit. From there the idea must have been put on hold for a few years. Glad to hear that he is still alive and well,and if he ever ventures back to Scotland he will always be greeted as a legend by the East and West supporters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 I should've typed the year in for when he rode for Edinburgh,might've got it right then!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 I saw him race for the Dukes in the mid 70's he looke older than mid 30's but was great round the Shay and had an arm chair style.Was he one of the last to use a Jap as I remember? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longlivefrankie Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 this has set me thinking is there a datbase of all riders who ever ridden for british clubs stating what years where etc? sounds a mammoth task but has it been done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoMinuteWarning Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 this has set me thinking is there a datbase of all riders who ever ridden for british clubs stating what years where etc? sounds a mammoth task but has it been done <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No, it hasn't, but I agree with you - it would be invaluable. I'd be first in line to buy one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted March 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2007 I think this could be done-at least from 1946 to 1990. From 46 thru 64, Peter Morrish's book "British Speedway Leagues 1946-64,has all riders for all teams year by year-just points scored by each rider, not # of appearances. This book was published by Midland Speedway Agency 1984. From 1965 to 1990 there is "The Complete History of the British League" by Peter Oakes published 1991. Hope this helps, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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