Cyril Roger

[BOBBATH]

In lat issue of "Opposite Lock" mentioned that Cyril Roger is 88 this December-meaning he was born in 1920-I reckon this makes him the oldest living World Finalist just beating out Split Waterman-is that right folks.Also anyone have any memories of Cyril's riding days?

[asturmer]

In lat issue of "Opposite Lock" mentioned that Cyril Roger is 88 this December-meaning he was born in 1920-I reckon this makes him the oldest living World Finalist just beating out Split Waterman-is that right folks.Also anyone have any memories of Cyril's riding days?

 

I do recall reading that Cyril Roger had some health issues towards the end of his career which may not have been too serious! Did he not have a brother Bert who was perhaps not quite such a high scoring rider but non the less still very good? Do you know if Bert is still alive?

[star ghost]

Hi Bob Regrettably Bert & Bob have both gone now. We regularly seem to have queries about Cyril and he has been reported as passed on before but it seems to be incorrect. Cyril was with Exeter, then recalled to New Cross where he was an immediate star then joined Norwich when the Rangers folded in 53 with Bert going to West Ham and Bob to Birmingham . Cyril also had spells with Ipswich, Poole and finally Southampton whilst Bob was last with Swindon before injury caused his retirement from Speedway. Whilst at Norwich Cyril proved an excellent team-man. He would not allow himself to be messed about and a number of riders found this out as Cyril would often "sort them out afterwards". One night at Wimbledon springs especially to mind. I think he was fined £50 for it once but the supporters ganged up and got the money collected for him so he was not out of pocket afterwards. This was when he was with the Stars. Cyril also made the World Final on a few occasions but never did much on the "big night". In fact, like the Williams brothers all 3 of the Roger brothers reached a World Final. Bert missed out due to injury whilst Bob always looked likely to reach the top, until injury struck. Both Bob & Ian Williams both qualified the season when Swindon took the First Division title at the first attempt. They formed a potent spearhead with little George White and Ken Middleditch for the Robins in that season when the League's were first amalgamated.

Edited October 14, 2008 by star ghost

[SHALEWAY69]

I do recall reading that Cyril Roger had some health issues towards the end of his career which may not have been too serious! Did he not have a brother Bert who was perhaps not quite such a high scoring rider but non the less still very good? Do you know if Bert is still alive?

 

Andrew

I am certain that elder brother Bert and younger brother Bob have both passed away. I think that I read in Malcom Simmons book of a connection through marriage of Cyril Rogers and Malcolm.

Tony

[johnsmithsmooth]

He had 2 brothers, Bert and Bob.

 

Bob rode for Swindon in the latter half of the 50's, he fractured his skull in 1958 and didn't make a track return until 1961 when he rode in 3 meetings and scored just 2 points, I guess he then retired. He died a couple of years ago.

[norbold]

I do recall reading that Cyril Roger had some health issues towards the end of his career which may not have been too serious! Did he not have a brother Bert who was perhaps not quite such a high scoring rider

It's true that in general, Cyril outscored his brother, Bert, but Bert's best year was 1952 when he topped the New Cross averages ahead of Cyril. Sadly, this was the year Bert qualified for the World Final but was unable to take part through injury (see star ghost's post above).

[Barcroftlad]

In lat issue of "Opposite Lock" mentioned that Cyril Roger is 88 this December-meaning he was born in 1920-I reckon this makes him the oldest living World Finalist just beating out Split Waterman-is that right folks.Also anyone have any memories of Cyril's riding days?

 

Hi everyone. In my old scrapbook I have a small photo of Cyril while at Exeter, head and shoulders, if it is of interest to anyone. Just let me know. Also I have the autograph of Bert Roger when he was at New Cross and as a curly one, I also have the autograph of Fred Rogers (Norwich). Any relation? Also the photo of Cyril has an "s" on the end of his name.I guess that is a misprint but it is one of those names where folk get confused sometimes and add the "s". Cheers, Bill.

[norbold]

Hi everyone. In my old scrapbook I have a small photo of Cyril while at Exeter, head and shoulders, if it is of interest to anyone. Just let me know. Also I have the autograph of Bert Roger when he was at New Cross and as a curly one, I also have the autograph of Fred Rogers (Norwich). Any relation? Also the photo of Cyril has an "s" on the end of his name.I guess that is a misprint but it is one of those names where folk get confused sometimes and add the "s". Cheers, Bill.

Fred and Cyril were no relation. Fred is a Rogers with an 's', Cyril is a Roger without.

[BOBBATH]

Great responses all-thanx. I recall Cyril as being a tall guy and one not to be messed with-he would have been in his forties when he retired-big question is tho unanswered-who is older and thus is the oldest living World Finalist Cyril or Split???????

[star ghost]

Norbold is correct. Fred was a particular favorite of mine at Norwich but no relative of the Rangers Roger brothers. It was a sad day when I heard of his passing. Fred was President of the V S R A for a year and it was always a pleasure to meet him and his mate Len Tupling when at High Beech. They both had that distinctive Yorkshire accent. Fred was a regular Angler and was in the "Angling Club Team" run by the Norwich Supporters Club and could often be seen on the river banks with the other members. Fred eventually retired from the Firs but was talked into returning for the Aces at Belle Vue and Norwich got dear old Harry Edwards in exchange for Fred at that time. Edited October 14, 2008 by star ghost

[SHALEWAY69]

Norbold is correct. Fred was a particular favorite of mine at Norwich but no relative of the Rangers Roger brothers. It was a sad day when I heard of his passing. Fred was President of the V S R A for a year and it was always a pleasure to meet him and his mate Len Tupling when at High Beech. They both had that distinctive Yorkshire accent. Fred was a regular Angler and was in the "Angling Club Team" run by the Norwich Supporters Club and could often be seen on the river banks with the other members. Fred eventually retired from the Firs but was talked into returning for the Aces at Belle Vue and Norwich got dear old Harry Edwards in exchange for Fred at that time.

 

I was speaking to Trevor Littlewood, a near neighbor here in Brisbane, and he recalled how his father Syd was a keen angler with the Norwich club almost to the extent that fishing was a priority over speedway!

 

[Nevs]

Was way before my time, but whenever I talk to people 15 or 20 years older than me about Exeter speedway these days they mention "they used to go" 9 times out of ten they mention The Rogers brothers, Goog Hoskins,Bronco Slade, Jack Geran, Neil Street.

 

It's like legends etched into their minds and quite rightly so from what they say.And then they seem to lose 20 odd years and for some reason never ever bothered going again.

 

There was a dear chap I met at the Civil service club in Exeter and he was there at the very first meeting and vividly every Sunday lunchtime when I chatted to him he would ask about the speedway and recall the White Ghost and the other death on the same day every single time I talked to him,then go home to sunday lunch with his wife.-He had so many tales to tell.

 

Fascinating stuff to listen to and wish I had been around in those days.

 

You cant seem to get away from the legends. Thankfully through Chris Byles site and the likes of Tony Lethbridge with his tales its fascinating to read about the past and in some way relate to what the older generation at the time I was not even born into relate to and how things have changed and how much respect these people have for the sport and its local history.

 

Roger brothers info on here from an Exeter perspective for anyone that fancies taking a peak-not teaching anyone to suck eggs but for those that ask questions and may not have seen it before (not you older guys on here obviously-but for any newbies that may find their way in here accidently looking for the latest ban Ben Powell, or where has Subedei gone, and why was the shale wet in Germany thread,_ --spend hours on there reading it all up-Very interesting reading through the whole site.

 

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/speedwayyears/pager.html

 

Especially when you go to the bottom of the page and hit HOME and see what else is on there.

Edited October 15, 2008 by Nevs

[star ghost]

Thanks for that Nevs. It is an excellent site. Obviously contains some "Lethbridge" writings. His "Exeter - Early Days" book is superb reading

It is a pity all old tracks haven't got that sort of write-up. But we do try and help out where possible when questions get raised.

[star ghost]

Yes Tony. Some of the old Norwich programmes have Supporters Club Notes and the names of Syd & Fred often appear in them as being good "rod-men"

[norbold]

I recall Cyril as being a tall guy

Was he the tallest ever though?

[BOBBATH]

Hi Norbold, can you go and measure him and let me know!!!!!!!!!!!!!-seriously tho do you know if he is older than Split-I know he's taller than him

[norbold]

I believe Split Waterman was born in 1924 making him 84 and therefore younger than Cyril Roger.

[speedyguy]

Was he the tallest ever though?

 

 

 

I believe Graham Miles was the tallest rider...

[star ghost]

I always thought dear old Archie Windmill was the tallest there was

[BOBBATH]

Reg Fearman was tall also!! Also ta much Norbold I therefore declare OFFICIALLY that Cyril is the oldest surviving World Finalist and long may he remain so!!