TonyMac Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 (edited) WE are sad to report that Tony Clarke, a member of West Ham’s treble-winning team of 1965, has died at his South London home after a long and brave battle against a series of major health issues. Tony, who was 73, also rode for Oxford (1966), Wembley (1971), Newport (1972), Wimbledon (1973) and Wolves (1973-75) in a career spanning 12 years. After returning to West Ham from Oxford in 1967, Tony progressed and became Hammers’ No.1 rider in 1969, form that earned him a place on the British Lions’ next tour of Australia and New Zealand. He top-scored in the Test match at Brisbane and played a key role in the tourists’ 3-2 series victory. The interview he gave Retro Speedway, which appeared in issue 12 of Classic Speedway magazine in Spring of 2011, was one of the most candid we have ever published. In it, Tony confessed that he and his brother had been guilty of stealing bikes and equipment belonging to the Russian party attending the 1972 World Final at Wembley – a crime that led to him serving an 18-month prison sentence. A maverick who knew no fear, Tony suffered a stroke in 2010 and a second one in April of last year. He overcame those but was then diagnosed with lung cancer last May. He underwent 32 sessions of radiation treatment, only to be told by doctors that the cancer had spread to his brain. More radiotherapy treatment followed before, last December, he was given three-and-a-half months to live. He hung on in there for a little longer than that but his brave fight ended last Friday morning when he died peacefully at home while being cared for by Easterine, his Sri Lankan-born wife of 34 years, and Marie Curie nurses. Easterine says that anyone who wishes to write any messages or anecdotes about Tony is welcome to email her at easterinem@gmail.com. They will be read out at his funeral service, details of which will be confirmed shortly. Tony Mac www.retro-speedway.com Edited May 5, 2014 by tmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van wolfswinkel Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 Remember seeing Tone ride at West Am and Swindon...excellent rider...RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytiger Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 A smile to all way's remember. RIP ......Tony. A.B.C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Tony was a regular part of the london speedway scene when i was a kid, riding for west ham, wembley and wimbledon. RIP clarkie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Sad news. RIP Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Sad news indeed. RIP Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Very sad news - R.I.P. + Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhamboy66 Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 One of my boyhood heroes at West Ham, who could forget that smile. RIP Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 8, 2014 Report Share Posted May 8, 2014 News of Tony's Funeral as follows: To the world wide family of Speedway The late Tony Clarke's -Funeral details : Tony was one of the fine English riders who raced in Australia with the England team. He rode B L for West Ham a now defunct London track. May he rest in peace. A funeral service celebrating Tony's life will be held on Tuesday, the 13th of May, 2014 at 1:45 pm at St Nicholas Church. Deptford Green, SE8 3DQ. Cremation will be at Honor Oak Crematorium, Brenchly Gardens, SE23 2RD, at 3:15 pm. Please join us for fellowship at St Nicholas Church after the cremation. May Tony R.I.P. + Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom House Kid Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I have been busy of late and have not had much time for things speedway related so I only spotted this yesterday. What a sad loss, now lets hope he will rest in peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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