Colin Sanders

[TonyMac]

Fans of Plymouth and Romford, in particular, will recall Colin Sanders from the late 60s/early 70s. He was Plymouth Devils' No.1 in 1969 before a couple of injury-plagued seasons with the Bombers.

 

Sad to report that Colin is none too well these days and, on behalf of his family, I'm posting this in the hope that some of you who read it will take the time and trouble to write to Colin, to let him know that he is still remembered by fans in the UK. (Personally, as an 11-year-old, I recall getting his autograph on numerous occasions in the car park after meetings at Brooklands in 1971.)

 

Colin has spent the last 23 years living a rather lonely existence in the USA, and it was while riding a motorcycle at the Dade City Raceway in Florida last summer that he suffered the major stroke that has left him paralysed down both sides of his body and unable to speak.

 

He is, however, able to hear and understand what is being said to him. Apparently, he can also read, hence this appeal for a few 'best wishes' type messages. We'll be sending him copies of Backtrack and VSM mags to try and give him a lift but any additional written messages of encouragement from forum members would be most welcome.

 

Colin's sister, Carole, has been in touch with us to say that her brother was flown back from the States this week and is now in Poole General Hospital. We're not encouraging visitors - Colin is not well enough for that at this stage - but letters or cards can be sent to him via his sister at:

 

Colin Sanders c/o

12, The Field

Shipley

Heanor

Derbyshire

DE75 7JH

 

Thanks for your support.

 

 

Tony Mac

 

[Dave Stummings]

Great to here Colin is back in the UK. Although nothing to do with Hackney reunion there is a great bit on Colin on the hackney reunion website. www.hackneyreunion.com.

[Paul]

 

He is, however, able to hear and understand what is being said to him. Apparently, he can also read, hence this appeal for a few 'best wishes' type messages. We'll be sending him copies of Backtrack and VSM mags to try and give him a lift but any additional written messages of encouragement from forum members would be most welcome.

 

 

 

Letter written! Will post tomorrow. Memories came flooding back, after getting me Romford stuff out. I have to say they where three great years for me. Never heard of speedway until it opened up at Romford in 1969. Tony Childs & Brian Foote on track where normally worth the admission money alone. Then the programme seller shouting “you can have two programmes for two shilling’s.” What a bargain as they where a shilling each anyway! Think he must have been on commission. The Czech team racing the Romford track. Mr Unpopular Dave Lanning being booed and jeered when he went onto the centre green-he only lived around the corner in Rise Park- same for Len Silver and his Rayleigh Rocket’s. Dear old Charlie Benham winning the Bombers Trophy, he loved the wet did Charlie. Bruce Edgar scrapping against the wall. Seeing the great Peter Collins ride at Romford when he rode for Rochdale in 1971. Bloody Ipswich winning at Romford in the first match of the season in 1970 & 1971. Then to add insult to injury they started winning at Hackney, all the time! Never liked Ipswich! Ted Sear announcing. I recall David Hamilton did the Division Two London Riders Championship or similar individual meeting. Colin Sanders having a massive accident coming out of the forth bend. Mr smooth Ross Gilbertson.

Thanks TMC you have got me in megga retro mood now, I suppose it good timing for Sunday at High Beech! Up the Bombers…………

 

[Bryn]

Like the Tadpole (alias Paul), yourself Tony Mac and everyone who remembers those days gone by, I'm so sad to hear of Colin's current plight - even if he DID ride for the Bombers! Hopefully he'll make a good recovery in time and I'm sure he's being well looked after where he his.

I, of course, lived on the "posh" side of the Thames, as we were instructed to refer to it as, in Kent and was thus a devotee of the Highwaymen when the sport came to London Road thus becoming THE top Kent side over and above that 'other lot from down the road!"

But, as Paul indicated, Romford / Crayford clashes were something special - they couldn't be anything else with Footy on one side and Childsy on the other! A story I heard (and thus cannot vouch for its authenticity but it 'sounds' right!) is that at one clash of the teams at Brooklands, Footy was already in the pits when Tony C arrived carry kit bags or whatever in both hands.

The latter, so I'm told, did no more than walk up to Brian, drop both bags on the floor and say to him, "We going to have the punch up now Footy, save doing it later?"

But it wasn't what you might call thuggery was it in those days? In fact, looking back, it was all part of "the show" put on back in those days I suspect nine times out of ten!

Anyway Colin will, I'm sure, be pleased to hear from those who remember him and say him ride - I certainly do and did - and my thoughts are with him.

 

Bryn

[BobC]

Here is a link to our local paper,The Daily Echo.A special feature regarding Colin.

 

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/pir...ck_in_poole.php