Kent Kings V Wimbledon, now 16/09/2013

[Blazeaway]

As the topic suggests, I have heard a little whisper of a Challenge Match between The Dons and Kent. Can anyone confirm or deny?

[blueherb777]

I also heard a little whisper,all I can say.

[Guest]

As the topic suggests, I have heard a little whisper of a Challenge Match between The Dons and Kent. Can anyone confirm or deny?

 

I also heard a little whisper,all I can say.

 

Sounds a logical proposition. There is "a Wimbledon influence" at Central Park.

 

Interesting? What sort of team could be raised with Wimbledon links? I think that Wayne Barrett, Jason Prynne and Martin Williams while no longer involved with speedway still compete on grass tracks in the west country. However, would they be interested and do they still have speedway bikes?

Edited July 23, 2013 by Guest

[Greg]

Would be great to see some old Don faces.

[Guest]

Would be great to see some old Don faces.

 

Riders or fans? Or both?

Edited July 23, 2013 by Guest

[Guest]

The only open dates I can see in Kent Kings home fixtures where the possible match against Wimbledon might take place at the moment are Mondays August 12, September 9, September 16.

Edited July 23, 2013 by Guest

[Greg]

Rider could they get back buzz for one night only ?

[Guest]

Rider could they get back buzz for one night only ?

 

A nice thought to see 'Buzz' Burrows back on track again. But it's a while since he last raced. Would it be worth him making all the preparation and practicing for the meeting. And didn't I read that his bike had been stolen?

Edited July 24, 2013 by Guest

[Nikko]

Yes its true 12th August at Central Park. More details to follow.

[Guest]

It would be great if they competed for the Cearns Trophy, or at least honoured the family name synonymous with both venues.

[Guest]

As things are at the moment, personally I am very supportive of seeing a Wimbledon team on the track for the first time since 2008 when they competed in a challenge match against Oxford at Reading (I hope I have that right). That team had a strong basis in its rider strength in regard to those who had previously worn the famous colours.

I know that it is now eight seasons since the sport sadly came to end at Plough Lane, but I would like to think that the team to be assembled for this forthcoming match at Kent Kings on August 12 will have as strong a link as possible to Wimbledon and not just be seven riders wearing Wimbledon race jackets who had no previous contacts to Plough Lane.

However, I also appreciate that there may not be any former Wimbledon riders available apart from now grass trackers Wayne Barrett, Jason Prynne and Martin Williams. But do they still have speedway bikes? Another name mentioned in some places for a one-off return is Mark 'Buzz' Burrows.

My notes show this was the 2008 Wimbledon team v Oxford - Mark Burrows, Terry Day, Tom Brown, Matt Wright, Jay Herne, Aaron Busby, Lee Strudwick.

It's early days at the moment, so for the time being let's give as much support as we can to this forthcoming taste of speedway nostalgia.

Edited July 25, 2013 by Guest

[Sotonian]

However, I also appreciate that there may not be any former Wimbledon riders available apart from now grass trackers Wayne Barrett, Jason Prynne and Martin Williams. But do they still have speedway bikes? Another name mentioned in some places for a one-off return is Mark 'Buzz' Burrows.

FYI, Wayne Barrett badly broke his collarbone grasstracking last weekend so would be a massive doubt even if he had've been interested.

[Guest]

FYI, Wayne Barrett badly broke his collarbone grasstracking last weekend so would be a massive doubt even if he had've been interested.

 

Thanks for the data on Wayne Barrett: as the saying goes - if the others I named Jason Prynne, Martin Wiliams and 'Buzz' Burrows are interested - it's one down with three EXTREME and probbably very doubtful possible ex-Dons left. How about Barrie Evans - does he still have a speedway bike - can he be tempted? Or maybe Nathan Irwin?

Edited July 25, 2013 by Guest

[moosetash64]

 

 

Thanks for the data on Wayne Barrett: as the saying goes - if the others I named Jason Prynne, Martin Wiliams and 'Buzz' Burrows are interested - it's one down with three EXTREME and probbably very doubtful possible ex-Dons left. How about Barrie Evans - does he still have a speedway bike - can he be tempted? Or maybe Nathan Irwin?

Barrie Evans sold all his equipment when he packed up at end of 2011.

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

FYI, Wayne Barrett badly broke his collarbone grasstracking last weekend so would be a massive doubt even if he had've been interested.

That's sad news about the 'Master'. I wish Wayne a speedy recovery.

[Nikko]

Details on our website.

 

Note: The Dons body colours are being made especially for the event and they will be signed by all the riders and sold in the bar after the meeting.

 

[Mimmo]

As things are at the moment, personally I am very supportive of seeing a Wimbledon team on the track for the first time since 2008 when they competed in a challenge match against Oxford at Reading (I hope I have that right). That team had a strong basis in its rider strength in regard to those who had previously worn the famous colours.

I know that it is now eight seasons since the sport sadly came to end at Plough Lane, but I would like to think that the team to be assembled for this forthcoming match at Kent Kings on August 12 will have as strong a link as possible to Wimbledon and not just be seven riders wearing Wimbledon race jackets who had no previous contacts to Plough Lane.

However, I also appreciate that there may not be any former Wimbledon riders available apart from now grass trackers Wayne Barrett, Jason Prynne and Martin Williams. But do they still have speedway bikes? Another name mentioned in some places for a one-off return is Mark 'Buzz' Burrows.

My notes show this was the 2008 Wimbledon team v Oxford - Mark Burrows, Terry Day, Tom Brown, Matt Wright, Jay Herne, Aaron Busby, Lee Strudwick.

It's early days at the moment, so for the time being let's give as much support as we can to this forthcoming taste of speedway nostalgia.

But 'gustix' you're quote on the forum about a meeting I attended last Sunday was: - Well I just wonder why these club/team names are used like this - no actual link to the original clubs or the areas they represented. Will we soon be seeing Stamford Bridge versus High Beech in this type of racing?

I don't detract anything from those who participate in these meetings and wish them as organsiers and riders every success - but surely using old club names has no creditable value? So why does using the name Wimbledon (a team I've supported all my life) have any creditable value if the likes of Exeter etc don't?

[Guest]

gustix, on 25 July 2013 - 08:51 AM, said:

 

As things are at the moment, personally I am very supportive of seeing a Wimbledon team on the track for the first time since 2008 when they competed in a challenge match against Oxford at Reading (I hope I have that right). That team had a strong basis in its rider strength in regard to those who had previously worn the famous colours.

I know that it is now eight seasons since the sport sadly came to end at Plough Lane, but I would like to think that the team to be assembled for this forthcoming match at Kent Kings on August 12 will have as strong a link as possible to Wimbledon and not just be seven riders wearing Wimbledon race jackets who had no previous contacts to Plough Lane.

However, I also appreciate that there may not be any former Wimbledon riders available apart from now grass trackers Wayne Barrett, Jason Prynne and Martin Williams. But do they still have speedway bikes? Another name mentioned in some places for a one-off return is Mark 'Buzz' Burrows.

My notes show this was the 2008 Wimbledon team v Oxford - Mark Burrows, Terry Day, Tom Brown, Matt Wright, Jay Herne, Aaron Busby, Lee Strudwick.

It's early days at the moment, so for the time being let's give as much support as we can to this forthcoming taste of speedway nostalgia.

But 'gustix' you're quote on the forum about a meeting I attended last Sunday was: - Well I just wonder why these club/team names are used like this - no actual link to the original clubs or the areas they represented. Will we soon be seeing Stamford Bridge versus High Beech in this type of racing?

I don't detract anything from those who participate in these meetings and wish them as organsiers and riders every success - but surely using old club names has no creditable value? So why does using the name Wimbledon (a team I've supported all my life) have any creditable value if the likes of Exeter etc don't?

 

I am supporting the venture AT THE MOMENT because I think it is going to have a creditable link with the old Wimbledon regime. So far I have not seen anything to the contrary.

But, if it's going to be "seven riders with no links to the old Plough Lane but just wearing their colours" (I see they will not wear the old race jackets or those last used by the touring Dons in 2008 but newly made ones) then using the Wimbledon name is, as in other instances regarding no longer functioning teams, a complete nonsense.

Edited July 27, 2013 by Guest

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

Look lay off please - actually there are very few riders indeed still actively riding Speedway who appeared for the Dons in the 2002-'05 period. But I can assure you that at least four of the team will be either riders who didindeed wear that most famous of race jackets in that CL period or rode regular 'second halves' at Plough Lane in that time. This is a good connection I'd respectfully suggest.

 

We also know that for the first time since very soon after closure in 2005 there are actually proper talks going on which COULD see the return to track of the Wimbledon club. There's a thread in the General section on this and I can assure you after speaking this week to one of the parties involved, this is a very real, ongoing prospect. Yes, a reasonably long way atm from becoming reality but there's something very positive happening. Other clubs that have returned/tracks reopened have often done so after sides using the name (but not necessarily ex-riders) have ridden challenge matches (egs are Scunthorpe, Weymouth, Rye House) so I really think instead of sniping and speculation there should be (for once in BSF history!) some positivity about this..

Edited July 27, 2013 by Parsloes 1928 nearly

[Mimmo]

Fully agree 'Parsloes 1928 nearly', and I will be travelling from my Norfolk home to support the Wimbledon side (sorry Kent fans!!). I understand what 'gustix' is saying, although I don't personally agree with him, and can only assume that if this meeting turns out to have no connections with the previous regime, then he won't be attending, which would be a shame. If he's a former 'Dons' fan as both you and I are, then I'd have thought he'd be delighted to see the famous name take to track once again. But despite whatever you tart a meeting up as, it shouldn't really matter, because if you're a true speedway fan, it doesn't matter one iota as long as you've still got the sport to watch. Good luck to those who are putting this event together, it's made me postpone other arrangements that I had made for the 12th August. COME ON YOU 'DONS'........okay and 'KINGS'!!