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Wimbledon Stadium: Some Important News


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Forwarded message from Derek Barclay

3 hrs ·

Wimbledon Speedway reunion and here I am with my all time favourite rider and good mate, the great Buzz Burrows!! — attending Classic Hot Rods. English Series Round One. The London Championship at Wimbledon Raceway.

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A passing thought - Derek Barclay, on the left, is the man who created this thread a long time ago. Nowadays we rarely see a Post from him under his BSF name Parsloes 1928 nearly. And the BSF website IMO is much the poorer for his absence.

 

Wimbledon Stadium: Some Important News

Started by Parsloes 1928 nearly, 16 Jul 2013

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The Wikipedia view on Wimbledon Stadium:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimbledon_Stadium

 

How Wikipedia explains the reason for the end of speedway at Wimbledon Stadium:

"Having been defunct for eleven years, the team were then reopened again in 2002 but were finally disbanded completely in 2005 as a result of the dispute between the team's promoters and the owners of the stadium, the Greyhound Racing Association, over a proposed large rent increase.["

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Great to see!

I thought it wonderful to hear with what affection some of the riders(probably all) hold the Dons and the stadium.Gordon Kennetts speech was very touching and i saw a wonderful statement from Peter Johns as well saying what a super stadium it was and even now run down is still better than a lot of speedway stadiums.Just gets to you when you hear the riders talking like fans and in some cases like the Johns family they were

 

 

From Peter Johns

Have been reflecting on my last visit to Plough Lane yesterday, ok the stadium had faded from the lovely place that it was in 'the good old days'. What part of the stadium that was still in use, the cheaper seats back in the day, was still better than the majority of speedway venues that are running now. One part of the show that hadn't declined was the crystal clear PA system and the enthusiasm of the presenter and the stadium lights dimming down before each race, I think that adds to the show. Wimbledon Stadium is where I grew up, first visit 49 years ago when I was 6. At that time I thought all speedway venues would be like this! Found out in time that was not the case! I was lucky to live less than 10 miles from this fantastic venue and then had the privilege to race for the Dons. Too many great memories from this stadium, possibly the best was a England v USA test match closely followed bySimmo riding in a Golden Helmet match race, which was a big deal then, with a broken left wrist, with his clutch lever on the right hand side of the bars! Watching my brother ride there for 17 years. So many.... thank you Jon Stevens for the invite

Edited by iris123
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I had the pleasure of chatting to Peter for a good 15 minutes at Plough Lane, and it's clear that he's extremely passionate about speedway and the position it finds itself in. He talked a lot of sense, and if I was Buster Chapman, I'd certainly get on the phone to Peter and listen to what he has to say.

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I thought it wonderful to hear with what affection some of the riders(probably all) hold the Dons and the stadium.Gordon Kennetts speech was very touching and i saw a wonderful statement from Peter Johns as well saying what a super stadium it was and even now run down is still better than a lot of speedway stadiums.Just gets to you when you hear the riders talking like fans and in some cases like the Johns family they were

 

Nice to hear Gordon again..one of my heroes! Watched him progress from Eastbourne to Oxford and then to White City where he rose to stardom! Followed him back at Eastbourne before he eventually left for King's Lynn and ultimately 'The Dons'. A great servant!

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Nice to hear Gordon again..one of my heroes! Watched him progress from Eastbourne to Oxford and then to White City where he rose to stardom! Followed him back at Eastbourne before he eventually left for King's Lynn and ultimately 'The Dons'. A great servant!

gordon first rode for the dons in 1970, definitely a rider that slipped through the net as far as Wimbledon were concerned.
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Cracking piece (even if I say so myself!) on Wimbledon Speedway in yesterday's 'Spedeweek' the Raceday programme.

17264745_1382165381843878_56028734548770

Here are details in regard to ordering a copy of 'Wheelspin' from Spedeworth Motorsports. Enjoy the article by Derek Barclay: Welcome to the page for Wheelspin magazine – the official publication for Spedeworth and Incarace. Out now at all operating tracks and mail order, your favorite 'Racin Read' Oval Motorsport Magazine. Out now at all operating tracks and mail order, your favorite 'Racin Read' Oval Motorsport Magazine. This month, we catch up on all the happenings, facts and figures from the fantastic early new season meetings, Steve Linfield Reviews the Incarace F2 season whilst Steve Yates provides us with his annual round up of all the Superstox ‘Stats’ from 2016. We picture and review all the amazing cars debuted at this year’s Autosport Show at the NEC, a double – page Ovalstalgia Tribute to Wimbledon Stadium, plus the Advance Tickets for the Mighty Brisca F1 Championship of the World at Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich on Saturday 16th September - we tell you how you can obtain the hottest ticket in town to ‘Heathland Thunder in 2017’! Plus all the latest News and Views. There’s Championship Round Up, Results Pages and all the usual gossip and news. There's lots and lots of pics too including a terrific poster of Rob Speak in action at Birmingham. All the very latest on what you need to know about your favorite Sport and still only £3.50 in the Trackshop's this coming weekend or via Mail Order by calling 01252 322920, - be sure to get your copy quick as this will be another sell - out! E-mail - info@spedeworth.co.uk

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South London Press, Friday, March 17, 2017.

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A tribute article in the 'South London Press' (March 17 2017) written by Derek Barclay to mark the final appearance of speedway bikes at Wimbledon Stadium on Sunday, March 12, 2017. Details in regard to ordering a copy by post can be found at South London Press, 6th Floor, Yeoman House, 63 Croydon Road, Penge, London SE20 7TS
Tel: 020 8768 4939 | Fax: 020 8776 8863
Email: edit@londonnewsonline.co.uk
Hours of operation
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Office is also open selected hours at weekends.
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17457462_1095724123867244_61735306294042

Spedeworth Motorsports

Farewell Wimbledon Tickets SOLD OUT!

Spedeworth / Incarace would like to make all race fans aware that the ticket sales for the Final Farewell meeting at Wimbledon Stadium on Sunday 26th February 2017 are now SOLD OUT!!

Please remember that this event is an advanced ticket only event and no tickets will be available for purchase on the day at the stadium.

Advanced ticket holders don’t forget to bring your ticket with you on the day as entrance will not be permitted to the stadium without it and there are no replacement tickets available now the event is sold out.

For the final time…

Let’s Go Racing!!

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Just watched a news report on sky news about closure , greyhounds & stock car racing mentioned absolutely nothing about speedway. Sad in or ways than one.

Edited by Ken Morgan
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Just watched a news report on sky news about closure , greyhounds & stock car racing mentioned absolutely nothing about speedway. Sad in or ways than one.

Yes - I've just seen that too. I was waiting for Speedway to get a mention. Very disappointing after all the History attached to the famous Wimbledon 'Dons'. :sad: :sad: :sad:

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More annoying is the constant insistence that AFC Wimbledon are returning to Plough Lane. ...

AFC Wimbledon have NEVER even played in the borough let alone the road.....

But this is Football - everyone knows that they have the money to splash.

 

Amazing what can be done, arranged, bought, fiddled if you have money.

 

Not to mention Plain Brown Envelopes.

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Forwarded image from Derek Barclay.

17498918_442585909414270_405741504361305

Forwarded message:Derek Barclay attending Farewell Wimbledon Stadium at Wimbledon Stadium.
Last ever meeting...

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Yes - I've just seen that too. I was waiting for Speedway to get a mention. Very disappointing after all the History attached to the famous Wimbledon 'Dons'. :sad: :sad: :sad:

Very sad however I suppose that sums up very much the state of British speedway and its standing within the media nowadays.

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More annoying is the constant insistence that AFC Wimbledon are returning to Plough Lane. ...

AFC Wimbledon have NEVER even played in the borough let alone the road.....

Ok it isn't factually correct,and i am not sure there is a constant insistence anyway,but it is spiritually correct.The football club was moved out of the area against the fans will,so they formed a new club in its place.They club has gone from success to success and i think the aim always was to get a home in the spiritual home or nearby

 

The sad fact is and ok we are on a speedway forum and people will often see things slightly biased,that the stadium was being run down,no money invested and no real hope of speedway returning anyway

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