The Jolly Rogers

[BOBBATH]

I know Bert has passed away-but what about the other two-did Bob ever recover from that terrible accident in -was it 58??

[Knowle]

From memory I think Bob passed away a few years ago but I do not recall seeing anythiing about Cyril so believe he could be still alive and he being the eldest. I remember him being heartily booed at Bristol in the early 50s. Matches between New Cross and Bristol were often cut-throat affairs with each having a similar small track.

[BOBBATH]

I think Cyril's last track was Norwich-is that right Starghost??

[star ghost]

Cyril had a number of seasons here at the Firs. He always seemed to return again. He joined from Defunct New Cross in 1953 then priodically moved around joining Poole, Ipswich and Southampton. Cyril also took time out to promote at Exeter along with our old mate Geoff Pymar. This was in 1957 if I remember right. I have not heard of his death but I know he suffered from ill health during his time in Spreedway. He spent a time running a Market Garden somewhere in Kent.

You are correct that Bert & Bob are no longer with us.

Are the other well known threesome, the Williamses still around, Freddie was at Norwich for Ove's Freedom Celebration and Eric is in N Z but I have not heard of Ian recently though?

Edited June 11, 2007 by star ghost

[norbold]

I believe Ian is still living in Swindon.

[Knowle]

I thought that Cyril Roger had a car business in Wales at some time.

[star ghost]

All three of the Roger boys took the same route into Speedway. They first got established at Exeter and then moved up to the top League with New Cross. In the 1952 season all three were in the Rangers line-up and this was also the case for 1953. When the Rangers track closed down the riders were allocated to other teams by the S C B. I will say we at Norwich were quite happy to get Cyril and no doubt West Ham welcomed Bert. Bob, who was less experienced, was sent to Birmingham.

Cyril stayed at the Firs until he moved to Poole for the 1956 season, 1957 saw him at Ipswich. He returned to Norwich at the back end of the 1959 season and he stayed for the 1960 season before moving on to Southampton in 1961 where he stayed until the Bannister Court closed its doors. Cyril rode in 4 World Finals and was a Reserve at another.

Bert stayed with the Hammers till 1956 and I think this was when he retired. He qualified for the 1952 World Final but a broken collar bone meant he had to miss out.

Bob moved on to Swindon where he became the number one rider for the Robins. He qualified for the 1957 World final. A serious crash in April 1958 meant the end for Bob's time in Speedway.

All 3 made a number of appearances for England in Test Matches during thier carreers

Edited June 12, 2007 by star ghost

[norbold]

Bert stayed with the Hammers till 1956 and I think this was when he retired.

Having looked at this thread again to find out what was said about Cyril Roger before, I would like to combine it with the Memories of Waterden Road thread as on the programme for the first match of the 1963 revival, Bert Roger was programmed in to ride for New Cross. He didn't make it, nor did he ever ride again, but it seems he was almost tempted out of retirement 7 years after his last match for West Ham.

[Brian Hamilton]

I believe Ian is still living in Swindon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Norbold, I must admit Ian has not come up on many, if any of threads on the Forum and I dont really know why. He was Captain of the robins and whilst not ever setting the World alight he was a steady scorer(guessing at around a 7 average) and very much respected, even by us Cheetahs supporters!

[BOBBATH]

Interestingly enough when Newport opened in the PL in 1964 there was talk of trying to get Ian out of retirement to ride for the Wasps-but no go he had had enough!!

[star ghost]

I remember Ian as quite a good rider with Swindon. He gave good support to the likes of Bob Roger and George White. Also around then were Neil Street, Teo Teodorowicz and then Mike Broadbanks as well

 

I have recently seen somewhere that Bert Roger first rode for West Ham before he rode for New Cross, which I haven't managed to trace yet.

Maybe Norbold knows about that

[frigbo]

Ian Williams is a regular visitor to Blunsdon during the season.

[SHALEWAY69]

Cyril had a number of seasons here at the Firs. He always seemed to return again. He joined from Defunct New Cross in 1953 then priodically moved around joining Poole, Ipswich and Southampton. Cyril also took time out to promote at Exeter along with our old mate Geoff Pymar. This was in 1957 if I remember right. I have not heard of his death but I know he suffered from ill health during his time in Spreedway. He spent a time running a Market Garden somewhere in Kent.

You are correct that Bert & Bob are no longer with us.

Are the other well known threesome, the Williamses still around, Freddie was at Norwich for Ove's Freedom Celebration and Eric is in N Z but I have not heard of Ian recently though?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Eric Williams was living in Mackay Queensland. He was a guest at Reg Fearmans surprise party for Ex St.Austell rider Jackie Gate's 80th Birthday on the Gold Coast in December 2006

Tony

[norbold]

I have recently seen somewhere that Bert Roger first rode for West Ham before he rode for New Cross, which I haven't managed to trace yet.

Maybe Norbold knows about that

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not as far as I know, but his debut match for New Cross was at West Ham. See below for extract from a forthcoming book...:

 

"One addition to the team came in the form of Cyril Roger’s brother, Bert, who was said to be at least as good a prospect as his brother, if not better. Bert was originally a road racer and finished 11th in the 1947 Isle of Man Junior T.T. In 1948, when his brother began to make a name for himself in speedway, Bert asked Mockford if he could try out as well. Mockford immediately saw his potential and signed him up, loaning him out to third division, Exeter to gain more experience. Although only in his first year as a speedway rider he topped the Exeter points chart with an average of 9.74, and Mockford recalled him to the New Cross side for the 1949 season.

"New Cross’s first league match of the season was against West Ham. Bert Roger astounded everyone by beating West Ham’s star rider, Aub Lawson, who was ranked number four in the world. This was Roger’s first-ever ride in Division One speedway. He also won his other race for a debut reserves’ maximum."

[speedyguy]

I remember Ian as quite a good rider with Swindon. He gave good support to the likes of Bob Roger and George White. Also around then were Neil Street, Teo Teodorowicz and then Mike Broadbanks as well

 

I have recently seen somewhere that Bert Roger first rode for West Ham before he rode for New Cross, which I haven't managed to trace yet.

Maybe Norbold knows about that

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Bert Roger was a junior at West Ham in 1946. He may have had a couple of meetings as reserve at the start of that season. Not listed in records as B Roger but as A Roger. Could it have been he was Albert Roger?

 

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

[norbold]

Bert Roger was a junior at West Ham in 1946. He may have had a couple of meetings as reserve at the start of that season. Not listed in records as B Roger but as A Roger. Could it have been he was Albert Roger?

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the info, speedyguy. A quick amendment to the book...

[star ghost]

I have just looked at the Researcher site

Bert rode second half at the early 1946 meetings, was reserve on 24 April at New Cross, in the team 27 April at Belle Vue and rode through the May matches before being omitted and back to some second halfs then his name vanishes from the results listings

He is listed as Bert but that may be because the historian knew the name he was usually known as. I think his full christian name was Albert as you say

 

Some interesting names in second half and reserve spots with the 1946 teams ..... Charlie Challis in a Juniors Scratch Race for example

Edited January 12, 2008 by star ghost

[norbold]

Thanks for the extra info, star ghost. Very interesting and helpful.

[speedyguy]

I have just looked at the Researcher site

Bert rode second half at the early 1946 meetings, was reserve on 24 April at New Cross, in the team 27 April at Belle Vue and rode through the May matches before being omitted and back to some second halfs then his name vanishes from the results listings

He is listed as Bert but that may be because the historian knew the name he was usually known as. I think his full christian name was Albert as you say

 

Some interesting names in second half and reserve spots with the 1946 teams ..... Charlie Challis in a Juniors Scratch Race for example

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

And that same 1946 season, about August, the first ever Southampton captain in 1929, Vic Collins rode in a junior race at Wimbledon.

 

 

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

[speedyguy]

Some interesting names in second half and reserve spots with the 1946 teams ..... Charlie Challis in a Juniors Scratch Race for example

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Just like to mention: the first speedway bike I owned in 1954 was formerly the property of Charlie Challis, post-war at Plymouth and Rayleigh (among other clubs).

 

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway