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2 Norwich World Finalists


BOBBATH

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Fred Brand is still here in the U K I understand. I think he is in his beloved Fens District. When Fred reached that Final he was only riding at number 8 in the Stars line-up. Under todays G P Invite System he would not have even been considered. Fred scored 7 points that night

 

I have also heard that Bob Leverenz is still in Australia. I have always felt Bob could have gone on and gathered many honours. In the Stars first season in the Top League in 1952 he started the season late and then averaged 10 a match. From memory only Jack Young & Ronnie Moore equalled that feat. His premature return to Australia left a large void at the Firs. Like Fred Bob scored 7 on Final night.

 

Bert Spencer rode in the British Championship Final as one of the 4 Northern League riders who joined 12 First Division men in the Final. This was my first visit to Wembley. I was 7 at the time and had never seen so many people in one place before. Bert scored 5 that night.

What is often forgotten is that Norwich had 2 riders at that Final - Wilf Jay was the Northern riders stand-by Reserve but wasn,t called on to compete

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Speaking of Wilf Jay-who I think famously rode for Sheffield in the PL to help out when he was over 50-I think he may have passed away but does anyone know where his two sons(also Sheffield riders) Alan and Derek Jay are.Also starghost thanx for news on Fred and Bob

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Bob Leverenz' world final appearance was in 1951. His seven points would have made him the highest scoring second division rider ever in a world final...if it hadn't been for the fact that a certain Mr Jack Young was also in the 1951 final!

Edited by norbold
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Ove joined Stars in 1955 after making his Final debut in 1954

 

Regarding Wilf Jay - He has departed this World. I think he actually had 3 sons who rode at Sheffield but cannot recall the 3rd name. Was it Stuart? Maybe someone from Sheffield can enlighten me? I have the programme of Wilf's return somewhere.

Wilf won the first race on 1 May 1937 when the great Max got us into "real" Speedway. He also rode on the last night at the Firs - 31 October 1964. Maybe if the Stars ever make it back one of his sons could get asked to join Ove in the opening Celebration??????????? Well I can dream

 

When I last saw Bob Leverenz it was July '87 at a Norwich 50 years Celebration at the home of Phil Clarke.

As everyone got down to yarning Bob told us a great one -

Whilst delivering fuel in the outback a few years before he arrived at this ranch and when the bloke came out to meet him he gasped and turned white. Bob asked him "whats wrong mate". The chap said he thought he had just seen a ghost - when he was in England he used to watch a bloke like Bob ride Speedway for Norwich where he lived. Bob admitted he couldn't avoid telling the bloke he was the person concerned.

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