Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 It may surprise you, but Wimbledon entered a team in the National Reserve League in 1959. Even though not all fixtures were completed (of course, that has happened at senior level anyway!), it was structured as a league. As far as I'm concerned, official fixtures should include any recognised "league", particularly when it is under the banner of a NATIONAL League. Competitions such as the Southern Area League, Scottish Junior League, National Reserve League, British Conference etc are all - and certainly should be considered - legitimate and OFFICIAL leagues. They are/were either open to teams not competing in other leagues, and/or included certain restrictions and limitations on the eligibility of individuals. Steve Okay, I stand corrected!!!! And Derek Timms rode in that league for Wimbledon then..?? That's nine years before becoming a Crayford Highwayman..??? I take your point also about the 'junior' leagues (after all,it is your thread.. ) but don't brand the Conference in that same bracket..: the Conference is a pukka 'third division'... I think things will get 'messy', though, with respect to the current 'Academy' league as all sorts of weird things have happened there with rider appearances... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted March 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 (edited) Okay, I stand corrected!!!! And Derek Timms rode in that league for Wimbledon then..?? That's nine years before becoming a Crayford Highwayman..??? He was a lot of things before he was a Highwayman! He actually started in 1952, appearing for St. Austell and Wolves. He was out of the sport from 1953 until 1959, before retiring again in 1964! Then, he came out of retirement to ride for Crayford. I was actually surprised how many teams he'd ridden for, and that doesn't include Birmingham in 1960. Not involved in any official fixtures, the Brummies teame comprised an an impressive line-up of "loaned" riders, such as Ron Johnston, Peter Kelly, Eric Eadon, Arne Pander, Graham Warren, Peter Craven and Nigel Boocock! As far as the 1959 National Reserve League, the other riders to appear for Wimbledon were Jim Tebby, Cyril Brine, Ronnie Rolfe, Ernie Baker, Bob Andrews, Gerry King, Bobby Croombs, Gil Goldfinch, and - somewhat surprisingly - Johnny Fitzpatrick, Dave Hankins, and Ivor Brown! Some other interesting names in the Reserves League included Tony Robinson (Belle Vue), Graham Warren and Nigel Boocock (Coventry), Alf Hagon (Leicester), John Chamberlain (Norwich), Ken Adams and Howdy Byford (Oxford), Reg Duval (Poole), Brian Brett (Soton), and Leo McAuliffe (Swindon). Steve Edited March 22, 2008 by chunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 As far as the 1959 National Reserve League, the other riders to appear for Wimbledon were Jim Tebby, Cyril Brine, Ronnie Rolfe, Ernie Baker, Bob Andrews, Gerry King, Bobby Croombs, Gil Goldfinch, and - somewhat surprisingly - Johnny Fitzpatrick, Dave Hankins, and Ivor Brown! Steve "Ivor Brown"..?? No relation to that guy from the Pit Bend Loonies who throws darts for a living, was he..??!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted March 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 (edited) "Ivor Brown"..?? No relation to that guy from the Pit Bend Loonies who throws darts for a living, was he..??!! Okay, two things... Firstly, you're up late! Secondly, who are you??? Drop me a PM, 'cos I've been wondering who you are... Anyway, I've moved the previous list to follow this post, as Des Lukehurst, Tommy Sweetman, John Fitzpatrick, and David Crane have entered the charts... Steve Edited March 22, 2008 by chunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted March 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 (edited) So, here is the latest chart. I'm still including those riders with eight or more teams, knowing that there may well be one or two missing. Steve 18 - ALAN MOGRIDGE (Arena Essex, Berwick, Bradford, Canterbury, Crayford, Eastbourne, Hackney, Ipswich, London, Middlesbrough, Peterborough, Rye House, Sheffield, Stoke, Swindon, Wimbledon, Wolves, Workington) 16 - JUSTIN ELKINS (Arena Essex, Eastbourne, Eastbourne Starlets, Edinburgh, Exeter, Hull, Isle of Wight, Long Eaton, Poole, Reading, Rye House, Stoke, Stoke Spitfires, Weymouth, Wimbledon, Workington) 16 - WAL MORTON (Bradford (Greenfield), Bradford (Odsal), Bristol, Coventry, Glasgow WC, Hackney, Harringay, Ipswich, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Norwich, West Ham, West Ham Res, Weymouth, Wimbledon) 16 - TONY FEATHERSTONE (Boston, Bradford, Crayford, Exeter, Hackney, King's Lynn, King's Lynn II, Leicester, Long Eaton, Milton Keynes, Newport, Peterborough, Poole, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Wolves) 15 - JAMES BIRKINSHAW (Belle Vue Colts, Berwick, Birmingham, Boston, Buxton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Linlithgow, Newcastle, Sheffield, Sheffield Prowlers, St. Austell, Stoke, Wolves 2nd, Workington) 15 - MARK BURROWS (Belle Vue, Buxton, Cleveland (Boro II), Cleveland (Redcar II), Coventry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Stoke, Stoke Spitfires, Wimbledon) 15 - GEORGE MAJOR(Aldershot, Belle Vue, Birmingham, Cradley, Doncaster, Glasgow, Leicester, Neath, Newcastle, Norwich, Oxford, Sheffield, St. Austell, Wolves, Yarmouth) 14 - STAN STEVENS (Barrow, Chesterton, Cradley, Exeter, King's Lynn, Mildenhall, New Cross, Oxford, Rayleigh, Romford, Rye House, Southampton, Rayleigh, West Ham) 13 - NEIL COLLINS (Belle Vue, Ellesmere Port, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Leicester, Newport, Sheffield, Somerset, Stoke, Swindon, Wolves, Workington) 12 - DAVID BLACKBURN (Belle Vue, Berwick, Boston, Glasgow, Leicester, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Reading, Sheffield, Workington) 12 - ERIC HOCKADAY (Aldershot, California, Coventry, Cradley, Exeter, Leicester, Oxford, Rayleigh, Rye House, Sheffield, Southern Rovers, Stoke) 12 - CHRIS JULIAN (Bristol, Cradley, Exeter, Glasgow, Glasgow WC, Mildenhall, Neath, Newport, Plymouth, Southampton, St. Austell, Weymouth) 12 - DES LUKEHURST (Eastbourne, Exeter, Exeter 'B', Hackney, Long Eaton, Newport, Oxford, Romford, Swindon, Wembley, West Ham, Wolves) 12 - GEOFF PENNIKET (Cradley, Eastbourne, King's Lynn, Long Eaton, New Cross, Newpool, Newport, Plymouth, Poole, Rayleigh, Romford, Workington) 12 - NIGEL SPARSHOTT (Birmingham, Crayford, Exeter, King's Lynn, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Poole, Rye House, Swindon, Wimbledon) 12 - KEN VALE (Aldershot, Canterbury, Cradley, Eastbourne, Exeter, King's Lynn II, Long Eaton, Neath, Newport, Oxford, Weymouth, Workington) 11 - DANNY DUNTON (Birmingham, Belle Vue, Belle Vue Res, Harringay, Ipswich, Long Eaton, Norwich, Oxford, Swindon, Weymouth, Yarmouth) 11 - REIDAR EIDE (Coatbridge, Edinburgh, Exeter, Leicester, Newport, Poole, Reading, Sheffield, Swindon, Wembley, Wolves) 11 - TOMMY SWEETMAN (Aldershot, California, Exeter, Hackney, New Cross, Norwich II, Rayleigh Rovers, Rye House, Southern Rovers, Swindon Res, Wolves) 11 - ROB WOFFINDEN (Berwick, Birmingham, Boston, Edinburgh, Halifax, Milton Keynes, Middlesbrough, Rye House, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Stoke) 10 - JIMMY SQUIBB (Canterbury, Cradley, Eastbourne, Exeter, Harringay, Ipswich, New Cross, Plymouth, Poole, Southampton) 10 - DEREK TIMMS (Aldershot, Cradley, Crayford, Doncaster, Middlesbrough, New Cross, Plymouth, St. Austell, Wimbledon Res, Wolves) 9 - MAL CORRADINE (Birmingham, Cradley, Doncaster, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough, Oxford, Stoke, Weymouth, Wolves) 9 - ALAN COWLAND (Exeter, Hull, Leicester, Mildenhall, Newport, Peterborough, Wimbledon, Wolves, Workington) 9 - DAVID CRANE (Coventry, Exeter, Hackney, Ipswich, King's Lynn, King's Lynn II, Norwich, Oxford, Sheffield) 9 - ERIC EADON (Aldershot, Brafield, Coventry Res, Cradley, Edinburgh, Rayleigh Rovers, Southern Rovers, Stoke, Wolves) 9 - JOHN FITZPATRICK (Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Oxford Res, Rayleigh, Southampton, Stoke, West Ham, Wimbledon Res, Yarmouth) 9 - KEITH HARVEY (Birmingham, C. Palace, High Beech, Luton, New Cross, Norwich, Stamford Bridge, West Ham, Wimbledon) 9 - BRIAN LEONARD (Hackney, Leicester, Newpool, Newport, Oxford, Poole, Swindon, Wembley, West Ham) 9 - STEVE JOHNSTON (Arena, Belle Vue, Coventry, Ipswich, Long Eaton, Oxford, Sheffield, Swindon, Wolves) 8 - TONY EADON, CLIVE HITCH, DAVE JESSUP, GORDON KENNETT, MARK LORAM, GARRY MIDDLETON, CHARLIE MONK, JOHN POYSER, GLYN TAYLOR Edited March 24, 2008 by chunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Okay, two things... Firstly, you're up late! Secondly, who are you??? Drop me a PM, 'cos I've been wondering who you are... I know who he is. The usual packet full of fivers stuffed behind the hot water pipes in Victoria Station will ensure my continued silence, Parsloes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 (edited) Danny Dunton rode as "loan spell" with Norwich Stars in May 1953. These matches were in the Coronation Cup Competition. I think D D had a number of "loans" in that season. The 1959 "Reserve League" started after the Britannia Cup matches where the No. 7 did not get programmed rides in the 15 heat match. He then rode in a 4 man team over 5 heats in a Junior League. When the National League started over 18 heats that season the Junior section was dropped. After some matches this reverted to the 15 heat + Junior League system but a number of matches were never raced. Any Contract rider not in the top 6 was allowed in so even Phil Clarke and Johnny Chamberlain rode for Norwich in the competition. Tommy Sweetman rode for Norwich in the National Trophy when teams were 10=a-side for the one season it was so. Edited March 22, 2008 by star ghost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Yes but who is the tallest guy on the list.Seriously was glad to see Derek Timms name-I recall him for CH -anyone know where Derek is these days?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted March 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Danny Dunton rode as "loan spell" with Norwich Stars in May 1953. These matches were in the Coronation Cup Competition. I think D D had a number of "loans" in that season. The 1959 "Reserve League" started after the Britannia Cup matches where the No. 7 did not get programmed rides in the 15 heat match. He then rode in a 4 man team over 5 heats in a Junior League. When the National League started over 18 heats that season the Junior section was dropped. After some matches this reverted to the 15 heat + Junior League system but a number of matches were never raced. Any Contract rider not in the top 6 was allowed in so even Phil Clarke and Johnny Chamberlain rode for Norwich in the competition. Thanks for the info. I was surprised at some of the names involved! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shippy22 Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Justin Elkins should be high up the list. I make it that he has ridden for at least 16 teams Arena Essex, Eastbourne, Eastbourne Starlets (CL), Edinburgh, Exeter, Hull, Isle of Wight, Long Eaton, Poole, Reading, Rye House, Stoke, Stoke Spitfires (CL ), Weymouth, Wimbledon & Workington Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted March 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Justin Elkins should be high up the list. I make it that he has ridden for at least 16 teams Arena Essex, Eastbourne, Eastbourne Starlets (CL), Edinburgh, Exeter, Hull, Isle of Wight, Long Eaton, Poole, Reading, Rye House, Stoke, Stoke Spitfires (CL ), Weymouth, Wimbledon & Workington Good call. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Justin Elkins should be high up the list. I make it that he has ridden for at least 16 teams Arena Essex, Eastbourne, Eastbourne Starlets (CL), Edinburgh, Exeter, Hull, Isle of Wight, Long Eaton, Poole, Reading, Rye House, Stoke, Stoke Spitfires (CL ), Weymouth, Wimbledon & Workington And the Iwade Colts..!! Not Weymouth in a competitive fixture though, I don't think.. His five 'engine failures' at the tapes when captaining the then non-league Weymouth in a challenge at Wimbledon did for his chances there I believe..!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 (edited) I think things will get 'messy', though, with respect to the current 'Academy' league as all sorts of weird things have happened there with rider appearances... It certainly IS getting 'messy'. Take the example of young Jerran Hart. This year is just his second in the sport. Last year as a Grade One starter he appeared in the CL for Rye House (4 times), Stoke (3 times), Boston (twice) & Oxford before signing for Sittingbourne (the appearances for the other clubs before signing for the Crusaders cannot accurately be described as 'guest' appearances, which the 2008 Yearbook incorrectly lists them as... ) He also appeared in the Academy League (which, has been suggested, should count in the calculations used in this enduringly interesting thread...) for his parent club Lakeside plus Poole and Rye House. He has now made his PL debut for Newport. So, at 17 years of age and, as I say, just a week into a second season in the sport that's NINE 'different' clubs...!!! Edited March 23, 2008 by Parsloes 1928 nearly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 And the Iwade Colts..!! Not Weymouth in a competitive fixture though, I don't think.. His five 'engine failures' at the tapes when captaining the then non-league Weymouth in a challenge at Wimbledon did for his chances there I believe..!!! I did wonder if I should add the clause that an "appearance" should be at least one completed race in an evening, but I never even thought of Efkins. Hey, are we really that cynical? Last time I saw him ("riding" for us) he did make it to the first bend in front, before packing up by the time he reached the back straight - several times. Anyway, so you reckon that Weymouth weren't an "official" team when he rode for them, but Iwade was? Obviously, I have been a little out of touch over the last 16 years, so I'm relying on everyone else here. Steve PS I know who you are... All this time, and I didn't have a clue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I did wonder if I should add the clause that an "appearance" should be at least one completed race in an evening, but I never even thought of Efkins. Hey, are we really that cynical? Last time I saw him ("riding" for us) he did make it to the first bend in front, before packing up by the time he reached the back straight - several times. Anyway, so you reckon that Weymouth weren't an "official" team when he rode for them, but Iwade was? Steve PS I know who you are... All this time, and I didn't have a clue... Hmm, I could be wrong about Justin's appearances for the Wildcats.. : heck, it's late here..: considerably later than in downtown Cahokia IL, I'm guessing But the challenge matches by Weymouth, before they entered the league don't seem to me to 'count', whereas 'Training League' matches by Iwade might..??!! Geez, it's a complicated business!! Glad you recall our meeting up now, Steve. How goes it with the darts these days..?? Would be great to see you back in action over here..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 (edited) Hmm, I could be wrong about Justin's appearances for the Wildcats.. : heck, it's late here..: considerably later than in downtown Cahokia IL, I'm guessing Don't ask me - you're the expert! Still, I'm noticing that you're something of a nocturnal creature, 'cos it's only 10pm here. But the challenge matches by Weymouth, before they entered the league don't seem to me to 'count', whereas 'Training League' matches by Iwade might..??!! Geez, it's a complicated business!! Challenges obviously don't count, but "Training League"??? To be honest, it doesn't really sound like a legitimate and competitive league. Would be great to see you back in action over here..! Well, when we met, I was actually on my way out of the PDC, basically because of a change in the Ranking System. I'm back with the BDO/WDF again, and in fact, I came over last November to play in the World Masters and World Championship qualifier up in Bridlington. I came very close to qualifying for the World Championship, and I'm only one step away from Bridlington again this year. Hopefully, unlike last year (they changed the dates), it will be held during the speedway season! My wife has only ever seen speedway over here, so it would be nice if we could take in something in the UK. Steve Edited March 23, 2008 by chunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shippy22 Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 And the Iwade Colts..!! Not Weymouth in a competitive fixture though, I don't think.. His five 'engine failures' at the tapes when captaining the then non-league Weymouth in a challenge at Wimbledon did for his chances there I believe..!!! I am sure that Justin Elkins rode in Weymouths first Conference League match away at Newport in 2004. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I am sure that Justin Elkins rode in Weymouths first Conference League match away at Newport in 2004. Absolutely correct. He scored 5 points, plus a fall and two EF's... Thanks, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 He scored 5 points, plus a fall and two EF's... Hmm, Elkins had two EFs... And the Pope's Catholic!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Back to dear old Wal Morton. He spent most of 1945 riding for Bradford - and looking at the results for that season would appear to have been the Boomerangs leading rider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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