Norman Strachan

[boo123]

Norman is a great character.Takes him ages to walk round the stadium at Poole because everyone stops him for a chat.

 

Almost always with a smile and is happy to talk about speedway with anyone.Told me many a tale from his riding career.

 

You are quite right to be proud of him.

 

A Poole legend.

 

 

Would he know who you are if I gave him your name?...he didn't know from just 'bobc'...or are you a fan from back in the day =D? ...just wish I'd been able to see him ride haha!

[BOBBATH]

Great to see this thread resurrected, glad Norman is still enjoying life and pass on my best from Canada-if he likes to answer could you ask him what was his most favorite and least favorite tracks(exc Poole) and was there one particular rider from Prov. Lge. days he had problems with or who he felt gave him a hard time(I think a number of people would say Ivor Brown to this.)!!

[TeamBouchard]

The Ivor Brown comment is quite interesting. When Norman dropped into the Second Division half-way through the 1973 season, Ivor was still promoting the Rangers. I'm sure Norman wouldn't have driven up from Poole every Thursday if he didn't get on with Ivor!

 

When he signed, he helped to establish that Long Eaton team as the best (up to that time) in the club's history. He instantly started to hit heat-leader scores to back up Geoff Bouchard, Roger Mills, Phil Bass and the up-n-coming Alan Molyneux. We went on a run of massive home wins (hitting 50+ in around six consecutive meetings (13 heats of course)) and Norman was scoring a hat-full of bonus points as he team rode his partners home.

 

A quality signing, who was very popular with the fans in the short time he rode.

 

Although he retired at the end of 1973, he was tempted to make one more trip up to Station Road and rode in the 1974 Lunn-Poly Open Championship midway through that season, which I guess would have been his final appearance on a bike.

 

Nice guy and pleased to hear he's still well and watching speedway.

[KevH]

Although he retired at the end of 1973, he was tempted to make one more trip up to Station Road and rode in the 1974 Lunn-Poly Open Championship midway through that season, which I guess would have been his final appearance on a bike.

 

He also made a couple of appearances for Coatbridge in 1974, but not sure if they were before or after the Long Eaton meeting which you refer to :/

[boo123]

Great to see this thread resurrected, glad Norman is still enjoying life and pass on my best from Canada-if he likes to answer could you ask him what was his most favorite and least favorite tracks(exc Poole) and was there one particular rider from Prov. Lge. days he had problems with or who he felt gave him a hard time(I think a number of people would say Ivor Brown to this.)!!

 

 

Hi...Have grandad sat here answering! =D

 

His favourite track was: Sheffied

His least favourite track was: Exeter

 

And he got along least with John Dews who rode for Sheffied.

 

Apparently he got along OK with Ivor Brown...

[boo123]

The Ivor Brown comment is quite interesting. When Norman dropped into the Second Division half-way through the 1973 season, Ivor was still promoting the Rangers. I'm sure Norman wouldn't have driven up from Poole every Thursday if he didn't get on with Ivor!

 

When he signed, he helped to establish that Long Eaton team as the best (up to that time) in the club's history. He instantly started to hit heat-leader scores to back up Geoff Bouchard, Roger Mills, Phil Bass and the up-n-coming Alan Molyneux. We went on a run of massive home wins (hitting 50+ in around six consecutive meetings (13 heats of course)) and Norman was scoring a hat-full of bonus points as he team rode his partners home.

 

A quality signing, who was very popular with the fans in the short time he rode.

 

Although he retired at the end of 1973, he was tempted to make one more trip up to Station Road and rode in the 1974 Lunn-Poly Open Championship midway through that season, which I guess would have been his final appearance on a bike.

 

Nice guy and pleased to hear he's still well and watching speedway.

 

 

Norman Says Thank you. ... from my perspective as his granddaughter, it's great to hear how much people thought of him, and interesting that so many people thought so much of him! =D

[TeamBouchard]

Good for you "Grand-daughter" and great that you are providing a link for Norman onto the forum.

I've had the privilege of catching up with a number of my Long Eaton heroes (from the 60's/70's/80's) over the past few years and believe you me, it provides a massive "buzz" (for me, not them!)even after all these years.

 

Tell Norman that, sadly, after lying derelict since the end of the 1997 season, the Long Eaton track has finally been redeveloped as a housing estate, but those of us that attended, still have our memories - and they include your Grandad!

[BOBBATH]

Good for you "Grand-daughter" and great that you are providing a link for Norman onto the forum.

I've had the privilege of catching up with a number of my Long Eaton heroes (from the 60's/70's/80's) over the past few years and believe you me, it provides a massive "buzz" (for me, not them!)even after all these years.

 

Tell Norman that, sadly, after lying derelict since the end of the 1997 season, the Long Eaton track has finally been redeveloped as a housing estate, but those of us that attended, still have our memories - and they include your Grandad!

[BOBBATH]

Good for you "Grand-daughter" and great that you are providing a link for Norman onto the forum.

I've had the privilege of catching up with a number of my Long Eaton heroes (from the 60's/70's/80's) over the past few years and believe you me, it provides a massive "buzz" (for me, not them!)even after all these years.

 

Tell Norman that, sadly, after lying derelict since the end of the 1997 season, the Long Eaton track has finally been redeveloped as a housing estate, but those of us that attended, still have our memories - and they include your Grandad!

[BOBBATH]

Hi grand daughter and Norm-so glad this thread is going again-first of all can you tell your grandad that there are a number of expats in Canada who remember him well. Also universally everyone recalls him as a real gentleman who always had time for the fans, and as a rider always gave everything his best shot. People like Norm in our view were the real backbone of speedway. Tell him if he ever gets over to Toronto we'll buy him a beer (or two). Questions from the assembled Canadian multitude- who was the team mate he liked to ride with the best -in 64-65 we think he usually rode with Geoff Mudge-what did Norm reckon - whether Geoff or Ross Gilbertson(RIP) was the best rider. Another question-did he like riding at Old Meadowbank and how did he rate George Hunter?? Also did he like riding at Glasgow White City?What does Norm think his best season was?? Did he ever ride at Yarmouth or Norwich??What was his take on Tim Bungay?? Many questions I know but I think the fact that people are interested in his opinions show what high regard he is held in-as Geoff Bouchard's posts show. BTW -two of Norm's old team mates are now in Canada-Alan Kidd and Dave Dodd. Another question-did he like Somerton Park as a place to ride(before he became a Newport rider) or was it as bad as everyone said? Does your grand dad know if Jon Erskine is still alive? Also overall who would he rate as the best rider in the Prov. League(1960-64) not just based on one season? the reason the question re Ivor Brown cropped up in our previous post was that a number of PL riders were totally intimidated by him- (think Ivan Mauger may have been one) Next time you see him granddaughter , can you ask him these q's and also tell him he has a real Canadian fan club going!! Cheers Bob

[boo123]

Hi grand daughter and Norm-so glad this thread is going again-first of all can you tell your grandad that there are a number of expats in Canada who remember him well. Also universally everyone recalls him as a real gentleman who always had time for the fans, and as a rider always gave everything his best shot. People like Norm in our view were the real backbone of speedway. Tell him if he ever gets over to Toronto we'll buy him a beer (or two). Questions from the assembled Canadian multitude- who was the team mate he liked to ride with the best -in 64-65 we think he usually rode with Geoff Mudge-what did Norm reckon - whether Geoff or Ross Gilbertson(RIP) was the best rider. Another question-did he like riding at Old Meadowbank and how did he rate George Hunter?? Also did he like riding at Glasgow White City?What does Norm think his best season was?? Did he ever ride at Yarmouth or Norwich??What was his take on Tim Bungay?? Many questions I know but I think the fact that people are interested in his opinions show what high regard he is held in-as Geoff Bouchard's posts show. BTW -two of Norm's old team mates are now in Canada-Alan Kidd and Dave Dodd. Another question-did he like Somerton Park as a place to ride(before he became a Newport rider) or was it as bad as everyone said? Does your grand dad know if Jon Erskine is still alive? Also overall who would he rate as the best rider in the Prov. League(1960-64) not just based on one season? the reason the question re Ivor Brown cropped up in our previous post was that a number of PL riders were totally intimidated by him- (think Ivan Mauger may have been one) Next time you see him granddaughter , can you ask him these q's and also tell him he has a real Canadian fan club going!! Cheers Bob

 

hi.

First of all grandad says thanks for comments =D

In response to all your questions:

>team mate liked to ride with 64-65: Geoff Mudge

>old meadowbank= he liked

>George Hunter: he thought was a good rider and they got along well

>White City: Didn't really like it much- preferred Coatbridge

> Best season: He says he had several good seasons, Mainly 1965 at Newport

> Rode at both Yarmouth and Norwich

>Tim Bungay: he thought was a good rider

>Somerton Park: he didn't like because he said it was too narrow and dangerous although he rode well there after a shaky start.

>And Jon Erskine is still alive to our knowledge

> Best rider of PL = Ivan Mauger

 

As for Alan Kidd, he visited my grandad a few years ago, and they celebrated his 80th Birthday, and they still keep in contact via a friend (the late Sid Hazzards wife)

 

Hope these answers are ok.

Best wishes =D

[BOBBATH]

Thanx D-my buddies and I will be meeting for a beer or two again in a few weeks and will doubtless have more questions for Norm-just a note I think Norm's seasons of 64 and 65 were with Poole not Newport-I think he joined Newport later. Please pass on our continued regards and thank him for his patience in answering our questions from Canada.