Brian Hamilton Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Not wishing to be pedantic buy I always thought Ron How's pub in Little Missenden was the Crown Inn. The last time I walked through the village (earlier this year) the name over its door was Martin (I think) How so it is still in the family. Remember the team named very well and often think that John Bishop had the ability to be a big star. If he made the gate he was as fast as anyone else and would not be caught but tended to feel threatened when other riders were in close proximity and allow them past too easily. I wonder how much influence his Dad had on him as he always seemed to be over concerned whilst he was racing and this must have got through to John. John, Its funny that you say the Crown Inn because I always thought that and I feel sure that I have a Speedway Star & News of about 1960 that shows a picture of Ron and some other riders around a piano in the Crown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genesis Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 John, Its funny that you say the Crown Inn because I always thought that and I feel sure that I have a Speedway Star & News of about 1960 that shows a picture of Ron and some other riders around a piano in the Crown. You are perfectly correct gentlemen and I apologise for the error. The Red Lion in Little Missenden is owned by Ron's brother, Alan, The Crown in Little Missenden in run by Ron's son Trevor. I cannot tell you if Ron still has any involvement in it but my guess would be that he still does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 What amazed me even more about Johnno's comebacks was that he asked Lansdale and Mawdsley about making a comeback for the Provincial League New Cross team in 1963. Lansdale and Mawdsley even bought him a flat near the track in readiness. Talking of Johnno's "comeback" in 1963, there is a statement in the 7 May 1963 programme to the effect that Johnno would be riding in the second half of next week's meeting. Does anyone know if he did or does anyone have a copy of the programme for the following week, 14 May, Southern League match against Rayleigh, as, sadly, I don't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 John, Its funny that you say the Crown Inn because I always thought that and I feel sure that I have a Speedway Star & News of about 1960 that shows a picture of Ron and some other riders around a piano in the Crown. I remember this photo session very well. The photographer was John Goldfinch, a cousin of Wimbledon rider Gil Goldfinch. Not sure of all the riders who were there now, but certainy Stan Tebby (and possibly son Jim), George Bason and Danny Dunton, as well as Ron. There's was great fun earlier in the day when we took photos of Ron milking a cow. Happy speedway times indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesterdaysman Posted March 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 There's was great fun earlier in the day when we took photos of Ron milking a cow. Happy speedway times indeed! That is what always amazed me about Ron, I don't know about his time at Wimbledon but when he was at Oxford, for a man at the top of the game he never appeared to be under any pressure. He could win race after race, seeing off the best and still his boisterous laughter was audible throughout the meeting, as if it was all a bit of fun. I never once saw him down and dejected nor ever angry. He was certainly a gifted rider in more ways than one and someone I am honoured to have known. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Talking of Johnno's "comeback" in 1963, there is a statement in the 7 May 1963 programme to the effect that Johnno would be riding in the second half of next week's meeting. Does anyone know if he did or does anyone have a copy of the programme for the following week, 14 May, Southern League match against Rayleigh, as, sadly, I don't? Programme for 14th (not filled in I'm afraid) shows three match races with Phil Bishop (who would have been 50-something?). Two pieces in the programme seem to imply that Johnno wanted a team place but wasn't expected to claim one - hence the nature of his appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 (edited) Thanks, Arnie. That's great. I've just found the relevant Speedway Star. Ron Johnson beat Phil Bishop 2-1! Edited March 3, 2008 by norbold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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