fatface Posted November 6, 2003 Report Share Posted November 6, 2003 On another thread I got talking with Evo and neither of us know why the Dukes used an elephant as their symbol. Anyone know why? No saying its because they moved at the same speed now! :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 6, 2003 Report Share Posted November 6, 2003 I think it was something to do with the army regiment that was based in the town ,Shoddy's the man to ask being an ex Duke and all lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Posted November 6, 2003 Report Share Posted November 6, 2003 The reason for the elephant is because the team took the emblem of the Halifax based Duke of Wellington army regiment, so full marks to Andrew, therefore the elephant appeared on the race jacket and the teams nickname became the dukes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted November 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2003 Thanks guys. I'll be able to sleep at night now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted November 6, 2003 Report Share Posted November 6, 2003 When the Dukes moved to Bradford why did they get rid of the Elephant and have a cross on their race-jackets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted November 6, 2003 Report Share Posted November 6, 2003 Dude that one is easy,.... no home track advantage, found religion... See I am not so dumb.. Did I win a prize? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Posted November 6, 2003 Report Share Posted November 6, 2003 When the Dukes moved to Bradford why did they get rid of the Elephant and have a cross on their race-jackets? From what I remember there was a competition for local schools to design a race jacket and it just needed to say 'Dukes' and 'Coalite' (then sponsers) on it the rest was imagination The so called cross went after a few years and was replaced by a crown on a ble and red shield sort of design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted November 7, 2003 Report Share Posted November 7, 2003 (On behalf of Trackman) Well at least it wasn't a swan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted November 7, 2003 Report Share Posted November 7, 2003 When the Dukes moved to Bradford why did they get rid of the Elephant and have a cross on their race-jackets? From what I remember there was a competition for local schools to design a race jacket and it just needed to say 'Dukes' and 'Coalite' (then sponsers) on it the rest was imagination The so called cross went after a few years and was replaced by a crown on a ble and red shield sort of design. Thanks jez, glad to know there wasn't any logic involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxford duke Posted November 8, 2003 Report Share Posted November 8, 2003 Who was shoddy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 8, 2003 Report Share Posted November 8, 2003 Shoddy :?: he's a forum member, he runs the fantasy league,when I said ex Duke I meant supporter,not rider but he's seen the error of his ways and is now a Tigers fan just like forum manager Phil,but all the old traits came out at the Northern riders when Havvy and co were on track :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Posted November 8, 2003 Report Share Posted November 8, 2003 Shoddy :?: he's a forum member, he runs the fantasy league,when I said ex Duke I meant supporter,not rider but he's seen the error of his ways and is now a Tigers fan just like forum manager Phil,but all the old traits came out at the Northern riders when Havvy and co were on track :evil: Andrew thats cos ex Dukes fans would support Sheffield any day of the week as our only alternative is to go to Kirky Lane, no thank you :!: :twisted: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer Posted November 9, 2003 Report Share Posted November 9, 2003 I have never understood why there is no traditional team identity in speedway. Teams change racejackets and nick-names so often, if football teams tried it, fans would be apoplectic with rage. I understand promotional changes, licence transfers and how it happens, I just don't understand why it happens. But actually, given the general level of a Speedway promoter's understanding of promotion, it's quite obvious. - I mean, WEST HAM HAWKS for christ's sake!!!!! :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lioness Posted November 9, 2003 Report Share Posted November 9, 2003 Hammar you seem to have difficulty grasping this as you constantly refer to it but speedway and football ARE NOT THE SAME. If you are desperate for comparisons, speedway teams changing jackets is no different to football clubs changing sponsors(and strip design) and if you care to look back in history you will see that some football clubs have even had a few different nicknames in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer Posted November 10, 2003 Report Share Posted November 10, 2003 Lioness Whilst I appreciate the fact that you enjoy being contrary without furthering a sensible debate, I make comparison,s to football as it is the biggest sport on the planet and is a convenient reference when debating issues surrounding team sports. Yes, you are right that football teams do change their strip regularly, but if any league team tried to rename themselves(just look at the Wimbledon example), the fans would go mad. Even nicknames or team emblems are part of the team's history and have an important place in the psyche of the local community. The fact that Speedway teams have a habit of doing this contributes to the outside world thinking Speedway is a toy sport. Edinburgh Weasles in 2004 then Scotland Baxters Soup Haggis's in 2005 (would you like it) Mind you, most Speedway fans would watch seven Chimps on tricycles if the promoter's tried it. Please reply in a relevant and constructive way Lots of Love - Hammer :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted November 10, 2003 Report Share Posted November 10, 2003 but if any league team tried to rename themselves(just look at the Wimbledon example), the fans would go mad. Even nicknames or team emblems are part of the team's history and have an important place in the psyche of the local community as a Wimbledon fan we gave up shouting a long time ago. they have moved to MK and within 2 years will be called MK. if you want the speedway equivalent... oh it just happens to be Wimbledon again, moved to Eastbourne mid-season as Wimbledon Dons. then became Eastbourne Dons, then Eastbourne Eagles again. the same will happen in football, so no differences really, it's just that there are more people to shout with football. History means nothing to businessmen running the clubs, whatever the sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer Posted November 10, 2003 Report Share Posted November 10, 2003 Dear Stevehone I have met a few Speedway promoters in the past and I have to say that you wouldn't trust them with an adult knife and fork. I presume it must be the same with whoever allowed Wimbledon F.C to get in to the state it has. Alot of people in charge of local teams have no idea of the history and place those teams have in the heart of the local working class men and women who look forward all week to cheering on the Dons, Hammers etc. Or if they do Know, then they don't give a monkey's..... Lots of love - Hammer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted November 10, 2003 Report Share Posted November 10, 2003 Mind you, most Speedway fans would watch seven Chimps on tricycles if the promoter's tried it. What do you mean would? I've watched about 10 different chimps on bikes in the last few years at Newport! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest big al Posted November 11, 2003 Report Share Posted November 11, 2003 Yes, you are right that football teams do change their strip regularly, but if any league team tried to rename themselves(just look at the Wimbledon example), the fans would go mad. Even nicknames or team emblems are part of the team's history and have an important place in the psyche of the local community. Hammer :roll: Whilst I agree with your sentiments to some extent, in practice it does not always hold water. For example, Bradford Northern rugby league side changed their nickname, much to the annoyance of traditionalists...and have never looked back since with crowds increasing by 3 or 4 times. They went for the Bulls as a name and created a whole new marketing image which they promoted vigorously with great results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lioness Posted November 11, 2003 Report Share Posted November 11, 2003 Ooops! I missed that reply of Hammer's! Hammer, I am afraid I disagree with you on quoting Wimbledon as an example of a football team re-naming itself. This was not the case-Wimbledon HAVE renamed themselves AFC Wimbledon and are doing very nicely now in spite of all attempts made by money men to kill then off. They still have virtually all those who previously followed them and a few newcomers too. The club you refer to is Franchising at its very worst NOT a renaming...they still have the cheek to call themselves 'wimbledon' although they bear absolutely no resemblance to the club whose history they stole. Looking at the football side the nearest I can think of in recent terms is Inverness Caledonian Thistle who renamed AND merged to join the Scotish League. Many thought the fans would not support the new team but invariably they have as the product (in this case league football) was what they wanted to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.