BOBBATH Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 While there are a number of candidates for this I would have to say my nomination would be Chris Blewett anybody remember him on the track-another contender would be Bill Andrews also Clive Featherby-any thoughts out there on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 While there are a number of candidates for this I would have to say my nomination would be Chris Blewett anybody remember him on the track-another contender would be Bill Andrews also Clive Featherby-any thoughts out there on this. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I nerver saw Clive Featherby, or should I say that I am too young to remember him, but I know that he tells me that Clive was a rider that never took no prisoners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 I'd agree with Chris Blewett, BOBBATH. I don't think there's any need to look further! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoMinuteWarning Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Vic Lonsdale used to frighten the life out of me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofdiamonds Posted March 24, 2007 Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 I can't remember Bill Andrews being wild, Vic Lonsdale now you are talking. Sure his nickname was Wildman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted March 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 Perhaps ruthless rather than wild would have been a better description of Bill Andrews-I remember a huge punch up he had with Peter Vandenberg at Newport in 1965-also see Simmo's book page 43-44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpbyles Posted March 24, 2007 Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 I would have to say my nomination would be Chris Blewett anybody remember him on the track ........<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Certainly do, it was worth the admission just to watch Chris's antics. Barry Briggs once said of Chris," He would rather have him 50 yards behind him, but did not mind to much if he was fifty yards in front, as long as he wasn't near him". His best season saw him manage just under a 6pt average - but on entertainment value he was the tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoMinuteWarning Posted March 24, 2007 Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 Certainly do, it was worth the admission just to watch Chris's antics. Barry Briggs once said of Chris," He would rather have him 50 yards behind him, but did not mind to much if he was fifty yards in front, as long as he wasn't near him". His best season saw him manage just under a 6pt average - but on entertainment value he was the tops. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hmmm, yes, entertaining is one word to describe him! Sorry, but I think he "crossed the line" from entertainer to being a sometimes dangerous rider. He certainly did a very good impression of being out of control! Good to watch - but always the fear that someone was going to get badly injured. Just my opinion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiegal Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 May be a bit before many people's time. And indeed only a bit part rider in those days. But having seen him ride, and know him well personally, I can vouch for one CYRIL CRANE. He was very enthusiastic, bit invariably forgot to turn left after the start. he could manage Norwich with its wide open spaces, Yarmouth was a different matter. always value for money dear old Cyril Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted March 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 Gosh indeed that's a name from the past I think he became a team manager later and was the uncle of David Crane-how are Cyril and David these days -well and in good health I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 How about the Finnish rider Antti Pajari who rode for Coventry in 1959? To say that he was "wild and woolly" is to put it mildy. But what a wonderful personality both on and off the track. But, of course, he was never in the Provincial League so doesn't really count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wessex Wanderer Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 While there are a number of candidates for this I would have to say my nomination would be Chris Blewett anybody remember him on the track-another contender would be Bill Andrews also Clive Featherby-any thoughts out there on this. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I agree - Chris Blewett is the only contender for this title. Some of the others were very spectacular (Vic Lonsdale and Slant Payling for example) but Chris Blewett was in a whole class of his own. I remember him riding for Glasgow but most of all for Exeter along with Jim Squibb and Chris Julian! Care to upset that team Mr Pedersen? Bill Andrew later became a favourite at Poole and I know he frequently "upset" opposition riders. Good old days! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Hamilton Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 I agree - Chris Blewett is the only contender for this title. Some of the others were very spectacular (Vic Lonsdale and Slant Payling for example) but Chris Blewett was in a whole class of his own. I remember him riding for Glasgow but most of all for Exeter along with Jim Squibb and Chris Julian! Care to upset that team Mr Pedersen? Bill Andrew later became a favourite at Poole and I know he frequently "upset" opposition riders. Good old days! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think Sandor Levai took some beating though and at a guess he rode at Stoke before moving up to Belle Vue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Both Cyril & David Crane are alive and well living locally in the Norwich area. Sandor wasn't wild, he was hard and gave nothing away unless the opposition proved harder. Another like Sandor was the afore-mentioned Clive Featherby who now spends a fair bit of time in Australia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Hamilton Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Both Cyril & David Crane are alive and well living locally in the Norwich area. Sandor wasn't wild, he was hard and gave nothing away unless the opposition proved harder. Another like Sandor was the afore-mentioned Clive Featherby who now spends a fair bit of time in Australia <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Genno sorted Featherby out in a punch up at Oxford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Perhaps ruthless rather than wild would have been a better description of Bill Andrews-I remember a huge punch up he had with Peter Vandenberg at Newport in 1965-also see Simmo's book page 43-44 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Spot on Bobbath, but I'd throw Ivor Brown into the mix as well; another rider not renowned for taking prisoners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted June 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 BFD I agree-Ivor Brown in my view was THE top PL rider over the years. By the way does anyone know Ivor's age when he passed away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Ivor Brown was a hard rider but never wild. Chris Julian is another rider who was wild, even his team mates were reluctant to ride with him. Ask Olly Nygren about chris, he will raise his eyes to the heavens and groan. Briggo has a cheek, criticising Blewett, seeing how the old hands wanted the young Briggo banned because he was considered to be dangerous. Julians and Millen are 2 riders who would be in my dream team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcroftlad Posted June 11, 2007 Report Share Posted June 11, 2007 Ivor Brown was a hard rider but never wild. Chris Julian is another rider who was wild, even his team mates were reluctant to ride with him. Ask Olly Nygren about chris, he will raise his eyes to the heavens and groan. Briggo has a cheek, criticising Blewett, seeing how the old hands wanted the young Briggo banned because he was considered to be dangerous. Julians and Millen are 2 riders who would be in my dream team. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Have to agree about Barry Briggs. He was only 16 I think, when he arrived and completely fearless.He copped quite a bit of criticism from the older riders because of his tearaway style. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted June 14, 2007 Report Share Posted June 14, 2007 Wildest rider in the PL, its a no contest, Chris Blewitt by a mile am i correct in thinking he had to pack it in because he could no longer get insurance cover,No Ivor Brown was never wild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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