frenchy Posted September 21, 2010 Report Share Posted September 21, 2010 Does anyone know why in 1955 the Wembley Lions only rode one set of League matches at home (that season teams rode each other twice at home and twice away) ? I'm not aware of anything special going on at the Stadium (unlike the Olympic year). Does anyone know which of the matches against - Belle Vue (7/5, 2/7, 3/9), Birmingham (21/5, 18/6, 10/9), Bradford (14/5, 11/6, 30/7), Norwich (4/6, 13/8, 24/9), Wimbledon (25/4, 30/5, 1/8) & West Ham (10/5, 21/6, 26/7) - should have been Wembley's home match ? My information has been taken from the Speedway Researcher website. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BL65 Posted September 21, 2010 Report Share Posted September 21, 2010 I believe that Sir Arthur Elvin, the Wembley managing director, felt that the teams from outside London were not attractive opposition in terms of drawing in the crowds and Wembley opted to run a short season in 1955. Harringay had followed fellow Londoners New Cross in withdrawing from the National League, which was down to 7 teams, with Wimbledon and West Ham the only other remaining London teams. As far as I know, for 1955 it was planned from the outset that Wembley would ride one home match and 3 away against the other teams in the league, with none of the third away matches being designated as the Wembley 'home' match. An explanation for the reduced home season was given in the opening meeting programme on 26th May (v Wimbledon), when it was stated that in addition to team matches a number of big money individual meetings would be held (seeking to attract bigger crowds than for team matches). The Wembley Open Championship was held on 9th June, the £500 All Star Trophy on 7th July, the Wembley £500 Empire Trophy on 21st July and the Wembley £500 Handicapy Trophy on 18th August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchy Posted September 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2010 I believe that Sir Arthur Elvin, the Wembley managing director, felt that the teams from outside London were not attractive opposition in terms of drawing in the crowds and Wembley opted to run a short season in 1955. Harringay had followed fellow Londoners New Cross in withdrawing from the National League, which was down to 7 teams, with Wimbledon and West Ham the only other remaining London teams. As far as I know, for 1955 it was planned from the outset that Wembley would ride one home match and 3 away against the other teams in the league, with none of the third away matches being designated as the Wembley 'home' match. An explanation for the reduced home season was given in the opening meeting programme on 26th May (v Wimbledon), when it was stated that in addition to team matches a number of big money individual meetings would be held (seeking to attract bigger crowds than for team matches). The Wembley Open Championship was held on 9th June, the £500 All Star Trophy on 7th July, the Wembley £500 Empire Trophy on 21st July and the Wembley £500 Handicapy Trophy on 18th August. Thanks Guernsey - sounds familiar now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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