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Memories Of Station Road


Vincent Vega

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What fond memories do other supporters have of Station Road. I went past there the other day and it brought back memories of past meetings I have witnessed at Long Eaton. The best was probably Long Eaton v Hackney in 1988 when Andy Galvin knocked Darrell Brandford and Mike Spink on the pits bend and Brandford got excluded!!!!! Do any Invaders fans remember this meeting?

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I know I must have seen lots of good meetings at Long Eaton, but unfortunately the two which have stuck in my mind are the 75-0 score against Middlesborough, when they walked out and Long Eaton riders just rode round for endless 5-0's.

Also the lovely Summer evening when Ove Fundin and his wife were guests. The track was over-watered and the meeting had to be called off, after we had been waiting around for ages whilst the track-staff tried to sort it out.

I wasn't very happy driving back to Leicester. :sad:

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Long Eaton v Exeter, 1988. The Falcons were, surprise surprise, hopeless away from home that year but did well at Station Road, forcing a last heat decider. The Falcons were sat on a 5-1 until the last bend when Richard Green, under pressure from Mike Spink (I think) fell and the resulting 3-3 saw the Invaders home by 2 points.

 

Some years later, 1995, and a magnificent performance from Billy Hamill, guesting for the absent Mark Loram. Beaten only by a 2 minute exclusion including a thrilling pass of Richard Hellsen.

 

The followiny year Loram rode for the Falcons and scored a superb paid maximum, culminating in a four lap pursuit of Steve Johnston before a superb last bend cut back saw him take the honours and complete his max. Unfortunately his team mates didn't fare so well. From memory Colesy had a decent night but both Rosco and Wiggy were disappointing and Long Eaton were comfortable winners.

 

I used to love my visits to Station Road, what a race track!

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B) Always enjoyed my visits to Station Rd. There was a nice fish and chip shop just across the road. Much better than the stadium caterers , although as I remember their pies and pasties wernt too bad.! For £1 you could drive your car round to the back straight and if it was cold, just get out to watch the races.

 

Saw a nasty coming together between Ronnie Corry and Ben Howe coming out of the second bend. Dont think there was any blame attached but Ben ended up in the local hospital.

 

Will there ever be Speedway there again.? B)

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1) Gerald Short on top form, passing all comers :o

 

2) Rickard Hellsen defeating Jason Crump in the last race of the season to ensure Long Eaton grabbed runners-up spot from Swindon (1992?) :lol:

 

3) Leaving the Oxford Suite the night Tony Mole announced it was all over and going to the stadium, standing in the car park and wondering if there'd ever be a return. :sad::sad::sad::sad:

 

 

...and I'm still waiting :(

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1996 First leg of the cup Final Wolves agaisnt Peterborough, having to use Station Road as our 'home' leg because Monmore Green was unavilable. On the face of it no chance, thinking perhaps we should have used Belle Vue for the home leg. However, a magnificent performance by the whole of the team, maybe our best ever, and we got a good lead for the second leg which proved enough to win the cup along with the league. Happy days indeed. :D:D:D

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Mustn't forget the Fish and Chip shop just across the road from the stadium.

They sold the nicest I've ever tasted. :approve:

Watching Speedway at Station Road then calling in for some fish and chips before making the journey back to Leicester. Perfect. :)

Edited by Gemini
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My best memories of long eaton were when i visited when glasgow were in town and a sertain tigers fan lost his tooth!! :o

 

Sorry fred....... :D ...

 

And finally the very excitable @gerald short fan who quite literally had to have 'gas and air' and that was on the warm up lap!!!

 

Finally i remember a little tune the Tigers sang about a sertain LE rider it went something like

 

'HE'S FAT, HE'S ROUND'

'HE BOUNCES ALONG THE GROUND'

 

Im to much of a nice guyto say the riders name though. ;)

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Can anyone remember the bloke who used to stand opposite the tapes, holding out his fingers counting down the laps for the riders. This guy was a bit of a character and always had a go at away fans. He used to wear glasses and a brown coat.

 

An odd bloke but always had us in stitches.

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i only went to Long Eaton once, in the depths of winter. Ivor Brown was loaning out a bike at a trainning school. Anyway we were suposed to be going toLong Eaton by car but were let down. So we eneded up going on a motorbike. It was raw cold and by the time we got to Dudley it started to snow. No gloves no crash helmet just a short jacket what a journey. When we got there i was frozen and could not stop shaking. Some one the week before had busted up the bike so we couldn't have a go.The journey back was even worse we stopped at a bikers cafe, by this time my one brain cell had frozen, my mate bought me a coffee. When i tried to hold the cup i could not stop shaking and the contents were going evey where. The group of bikers who were sitting opposite must have thought i was scared of being in their cafe. I never want to feel that cold again.

Sorry if that is boring, but its all part of the wonderful memories Speedway has given to me.

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Can anyone remember the bloke who used to stand opposite the tapes, holding out his fingers counting down the laps for the riders. This guy was a bit of a character and always had a go at away fans. He used to wear glasses and a brown coat.

 

An odd bloke but always had us in stitches.

I'm not sure if this is the same person that I remember because he was quite young and used to stand in different places, not in one spot.

I used to dread it if I was on my own and he used to come and stand next to me. :unsure:

I'm sure he was harmless but he used to scare me to death and I always looked away hoping he wouldn't pick me to talk to. :D

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Can anyone remember the bloke who used to stand opposite the tapes, holding out his fingers counting down the laps for the riders.  This guy was a bit of a character and always had a go at away fans.  He used to wear glasses and a brown coat.

 

An odd bloke but always had us in stitches.

I'm not sure if this is the same person that I remember because he was quite young and used to stand in different places, not in one spot.

I used to dread it if I was on my own and he used to come and stand next to me. :unsure:

I'm sure he was harmless but he used to scare me to death and I always looked away hoping he wouldn't pick me to talk to. :D

I know who you mean, he used to wear a grey jacket, very 80's looking, even in the late 90's :)

 

I never actually got to know the guy, very strange fan, would wear Long Eaton tinted glasses and would swear and shout up at the ref's box if a decision went the wrong way.

 

Never saw him at away matches though :lol:

 

But like someone said, you would dread it when he would start heading towards you to chat.

 

Still, that's what speedway was all about, characters.

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What fond memories do other supporters have of Station Road.  I went past there the other day and it brought back memories of past meetings I have witnessed at Long Eaton. The best was probably Long Eaton v Hackney in 1988 when Andy Galvin knocked Darrell Brandford and Mike Spink on the pits bend and Brandford got excluded!!!!!  Do any Invaders fans remember this meeting?

By all accounts the meeting of the season that year and sods law was the only meeting I missed that year.

 

Typical :D

 

Andy Galvin was never liked after that.

Edited by Ashie
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I remember the guy you are talking about. In 1991 when Arena won the treble one of their last away meetings was at Station Rd and Andy Galvin had a coming together with Jan Staechmann. When Galvini beat Stekkers he was popping wheelies after the race and winding the Long Eaton fans up. This geezer was flicking the Vs at the Arena boys so I made a few comments in his direction he gave it back and we ended up shaking hands and agreeing to disagree.

 

Hopefully if Long Eaton are revived again he will be back aswell.

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No Greyhoundp it was LongEaton, i used to watch Ivor Brown at Cradley Heath.But that day i went to Long Eaton, you are right about the facilities pretty much the same.

I am forgetful now especially when it come to finding my way to the ballot box for Dudley council elections.

Oh and i had some special four letter words for the council and the builders who sold our track out but i can't remember what they are, i don't think :blink: they are in the dictionary, can't be sure though i can't find it.

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