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Wimbledon Second Halfers And Number Sevens.?


stratton

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Going back since i first started going who were the second halfers at Wimbledon in the Mirac years 1968 onwards.Was Tebby, Everett in the side regular? i know Jim was.My memories are of Rob Jones,Shilletto,Brewer,Knowler, Kelvin, Moggo,Cameron,PJohns (ect).

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Jim had been a regular in the side for many years. Gary Everett established himself at reserve in 1969, with Peter Murray as standby. Over the next few years, we experimented with Roland Duke, Rocky Coutts etc, as well as Rob Jones, who got shipped off to Canterbury almost immediately. The first real discovery of the 70's was Paul Dowdall, who famously beat Eric Boocock in a second-half race in 1974.

 

In 1976, we tried Brendan Shilleto and Ian Williams, and the following year (I think), Brian Canning. I remember going to Ipswich (around 1981 or 82, perhaps) when we were short-handed, and had Graham Knowler and Alan Johns riding at 1 and 2! Peter Johns made a brief impression during the BL era before becoming a regular for a season or so in the NL.

 

Moggo came to us in 1981, and then established himself with Crayford, although making a few appearances for us. I was at Kelvin's first meeting, and of course, once he got in, that was it!

 

Steve

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And not forgetting Dave Brewer, Ray Griffiths, Phil Vance...

That's right, Tony. Although all three picked up NL experience (Ray with Canterbury, and Dave and Phil with Exeter), Brewer was the one who looked most likely. Of course, we also had Jay Pleece who looked handy, but never really developed.

 

Steve

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That's right, Tony. Although all three picked up NL experience (Ray with Canterbury, and Dave and Phil with Exeter), Brewer was the one who looked most likely. Of course, we also had Jay Pleece who looked handy, but never really developed.

 

Steve

I wondered if the unlucky Graham Miles rode a few times? or maybe Canterbury,s Graeme Smith?
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I wondered if the unlucky Graham Miles rode a few times? or maybe Canterbury,s Graeme Smith?

I don't recall either from Plough Lane.

 

Steve

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I don't recall either from Plough Lane.

 

Steve

You are right Chunky my memory playing tricks getting old both rode for Hackney..I was surprised when looking about Stan Stevens how many clubs did that guy ride? for loads.Rode 1 match for the dons in 1972 in a long career.
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Gordon Kennett rode in some second halves though when he was starting out.We did have once or twice a year the boys from the Kent Grass Track club up for demo races.Was quite a close relationship with the Kent Grass trackers.Wonder if that club is still going?But think a lot of good kids started there

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At junior grasstrack racing's height in Kent there were two junior grasstrack clubs operating. Both produced a stream of young talent that went onto achieve speedway team places and, ultimately, success on the shale.

Those two junior clubs were KYMC and KYGTRA.

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Seems to be a lack of grasstrack riders coming through to shale now. Followed The Dons in 66/67, can remember Nygren, Hedge, Luckhurst, Cowland who else rode in those seasons?

 

You are right Chunky my memory playing tricks getting old both rode for Hackney..I was surprised when looking about Stan Stevens how many clubs did that guy ride? for loads.Rode 1 match for the dons in 1972 in a long career.

 

I think he rode for New Cross in the last race ever in 1963, I was there, a 7-years-old Rangers fan. Onto Wimbledon after that, then Swindon 68 onwards.

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I think he rode for New Cross in the last race ever in 1963, I was there, a 7-years-old Rangers fan. Onto Wimbledon after that, then Swindon 68 onwards.

Think you may be getting confused. Stan Stevens didn't ride for Swindon, and only rode one match for the Dons in 1972. He was best known for his spells at West Ham (1964-65, 1967-72), and rode for several other clubs on a short-term basis.

 

Steve

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Think you may be getting confused. Stan Stevens didn't ride for Swindon, and only rode one match for the Dons in 1972. He was best known for his spells at West Ham (1964-65, 1967-72), and rode for several other clubs on a short-term basis.

 

Steve

Think you are getting confused Steve.If i read that right keef is talking about himself ;)

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Think you are getting confused Steve.If i read that right keef is talking about himself ;)

 

Correct iris

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Anyone remember Mike Wells - a second halfer?

I knew Mikey and his brother Keith, as they used to stand with us on the Pit Bend; we're still Facebook friends. Another one who stood with us was Keith Yorke.

 

Steve

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I knew Mikey and his brother Keith, as they used to stand with us on the Pit Bend; we're still Facebook friends. Another one who stood with us was Keith Yorke.

 

Steve

 

Mike is now living on Teeside.

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If we are talking about number sevens - what about Mike Coomber?? 1963 or 64 I think.

 

He made speedway look very difficult - if you see what I mean.

 

I had wondered about mentioning 'Zoomer', but he was a little before the time period mentioned. I think he rode for us in 1967, before making some appearances for Ipswich in 1969. Of course, others from the mid 60's include Ronnie Rolfe, Keith Whipp, Steve Chilman, and Geoff Hughes.

 

Steve

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here's a list of riders that rode in Wimbledon junior teams and the second halves at Plough Lane during 1982 and 1983:

 

1982: Steve Bosley, Mike Fitzpatrick, Peter Johns, Jamie Luckhurst, Jeremy Luckhurst, Alan Mogridge, N.Moore, Nick Smith, Mark Terry, D.Trocion, Phil Vance, Greg Williamson, Keith Yorke

 

1983: John Bines, Steve Bosley, Ian Brett, Steve Carter, R.Evans, Alan Farmer, Lee Farthing, Neil Ferguson, Martin Goodwin, Robin Hampton, Roger Hatchett, Paul Hilton, Gordon Humphreys, Ian Humphreys, Peter Johns, Alan Mogridge, Terry Mussett, R.Pearce, Richard Pettman, Jay Pleece, Gary Rolls, Des Smith, Kelvin Tatum, Neville Tatum, Mark Terry, Phil Vance

 

Anyone remember these guys?

 

Also, does anyone know the christian names of Messrs Moore, Trocion, Evans and Pearce in this list?

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