Bob Paulson And John Dews

[BOBBATH]

After the thread on Jack Kitchen are these two folks still around-someone told me Bob had committed suicide years ago-what of John Dews. What happened to both after they finished at Sheffield-did they ride for other teams. I recall both of them as real gentlemen tho I remember Bob used to look awful doleful at times. I'm thinking of the mid -sixties here.

[spin king]

After the thread on Jack Kitchen are these two folks still around-someone told me Bob had committed suicide years ago-what of John Dews. What happened to both after they finished at Sheffield-did they ride for other teams. I recall both of them as real gentlemen tho I remember Bob used to look awful doleful at times. I'm thinking of the mid -sixties here.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Bob Paulson, retire after the season of either 1974 or 1975, an died around about 1980, he did not ride speedway for any other team, and yes you are correct Bob did commit sucide.

Sad to say that John Dews is no longer with us, I think he died of a brain tumour, he went on to ride for Oxford and White City, and I believe that he retire in 1976, he came back to Team Manage Sheffield in 1977, and he did that until 1980. He later went onto Promote at Stoke.

[The Third Man]

Yes bob was a very rare rider, one that only rode for one team. one of the best captains sheffield ever had, remember him standing down from a few rides to let an in form reserve have another ride. Captained us to only ever british league trophy in 1974.

 

Joh dews only left us because of rider control, we were never allocated another rider in his place though, his place in the team being shared by reg wilson and doug wyer who were riding in division 2 at the time, a fortaste of doubling up?

[star ghost]

I thought John Dews rode for Wimbledon at some time

On the subjerct of one-team riders - Phil Clarke (13 years) Norwich Stars was a prime example of this type of rider

[The Third Man]

thought he went to wimbledon then oxford, but could be other way round

[speedyguy]

thought he went to wimbledon then oxford, but could be other way round

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Without checking, I am certain that as mentioned John Dews did have a spell with Wimbledon.

 

 

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

[BOBBATH]

thanx folks tho sad to hear-was interested in Starghost post re one team riders e.g. Phil Clarke-anybody think of any more from that era-was thinking Billy Bales but he started with Yarmouth-I guess Vic Duggan always rode for Harringay

[speedyguy]

thanx folks tho sad to hear-was interested in Starghost post re one team riders e.g. Phil Clarke-anybody think of any more from that era-was thinking Billy Bales but he started with Yarmouth-I guess Vic Duggan always rode for Harringay

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

In the immediate pre-war season Vic Duggan was with Wimbledon. Before that, it was with Hackney.

 

 

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

[star ghost]

Billy Bales has a special place in my memories.

He started as a Norwich second half (?whats that?) rider and was sent to Yarmouth when they opened as Norwichs Dick Wise ran both tracks. The Bloaters started as Stars Nursery track you might say.

After Service (R A F) Billy went into the Stars team for 1952 and rode for us till closure of the Firs in 1964. This like Phil Clarke gives 13 years service to the team. He rode for Sheffield till retirement (around 1969)

Bearing in mind the run of injuries he suffered he did not do too bad did he

 

I could add Bert Spencer (Norwich 1937 till 1949) but that would be cheating - The War years cannot count can they

Edited August 31, 2007 by star ghost

[norbold]

Ronnie Moore spoiled probably the best one team record by riding in just two matches for Coventry. Apart from that he rode for Wimbledon from 1950 - 1972.

[star ghost]

I thought R M missed out some years during that time.

How about Cyril "Salty" Brine at Wimbledon for a number of years

[norbold]

Yes, he did miss out some years altogether - 1957 and 1964 - 68 - but for the other 17 years he only rode for Wimbledon (apart from the two matches for Coventry in 1972), which must be the record.

 

There was, of course, Tommy Price. Wembley 1935 - 1956, a total of 22 years, but, as with Bert Spencer, there were 7 years lost because of the War.

Edited August 31, 2007 by norbold

[iris123]

I remember Bob as a bit wacky.Probably only saw him the once(at least i only remember the one time)must have been 73/74.I was waiting in the pits outside the changing room with a mate getting autographs when he came out.Wasn't sure who he was(our plan was ,if they had wet hair,get an autograph )when he,for no apparent reason started calling me "the wizard".He even signed my book "To the wizard",which i still have.One of the riders and one of the incidents that will stay with me.

Edited August 31, 2007 by iris123

[Tigerblade]

Sad to say that John Dews is no longer with us, I think he died of a brain tumour, he went on to ride for Oxford and White City, and I believe that he retire in 1976, he came back to Team Manage Sheffield in 1977, and he did that until 1980. He later went onto Promote at Stoke.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think it was the mid 90's, I remember we had a minutes' silence for him.

[frigbo]

I think it was the mid 90's, I remember we had a minutes' silence for him.

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August 1995

[Tsunami]

Was John Dews not a good track man as well. Seem to remember he had a spell at Newcastle.

 

[BOBBATH]

Just looked at my Who's who in Speedwat from the 70's-shows John dews was born in 45 so he passed away when only 50-what a shame. Don't think he rode for Newcastle tho'-the book shows Sheff,Oxford and Wimbledon.

[Tsunami]

Just looked at my Who's who in Speedwat from the 70's-shows John dews was born in 45 so he passed away when only 50-what a shame. Don't think he rode for Newcastle tho'-the book shows Sheff,Oxford and Wimbledon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry Bob, I meant that he was a track man at Newcastle at some stage.

 

[BOBBATH]

No problemo Tsunami-I'm glad to hear that other people besides me remember these 60's riders-especially old PL ones. Brough Park was one stadium I always meant to visit but just never got round to it-guess its changed a lot since PL days-but at least you've still got racing there.

[frigbo]

John Dews - Sheffield(65,66,67,68,69,70),Wimbledon(71,72),Oxford(73,74,75)

 

Joined White City in '76 but never rode any League Meetings.