bill94d Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I have been pondering this for a while and can't find a thread along these lines in the forum. At their very best who would be in your Scottish (born) best ever team? I am not too familiar with the 80's so am prepared to be shot down over this but here goes. 1 Ken Mckinlay (has to be there, world finalist many times) 2 Tommy Millar (a bit like Brian Crutcher, out of the game too soon) 3. Jim Mcmillan 4. George Hunter (never as good after the Craven crash as he should have been) 5. Gordon McGregor 6. Doug Templeton (out of speedway late 50's when he should have been at this best) 7. Willie Templeton 8. ???? Come on gents. Shoot me down and come up with a better team (complete with number 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Bobby beaton at 8? you didnt miss much in the 80s, kenny mckinna was the best scotsman but wouldn't make the team ahead of any u have named 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 (edited) You've missed out Haggis! I can't see any other improvement on the seven you have mentioned though. Edited January 28, 2015 by norbold 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill94d Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 You've missed out Haggis! I can't see any other improvement on the seven you have mentioned though. Haggis will kill me! Let's agree on him as number 8! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 (edited) Didn't Ross Gilbertson represent Scotland? Edited January 28, 2015 by Split Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickthemuppet Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 How about Brian Collins who rode for Wembley and Coatbridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill94d Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Didn't Ross Gilbertson represent Scotland? Born in Ayton, Eyemouth. Scottish? If he is he has to be in. I said it was by no means definitive my post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Haggis will kill me! Let's agree on him as number 8! You must be joking. Harkins No. 8? He was better than that. With the Riders you have mentioned No. 7 at the very least. W. Templeton No. 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Clearly Bert Harkins and Ross Gilbertson should be added, would put them both above Willie T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill94d Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Clearly Bert Harkins and Ross Gilbertson should be added, would put them both above Willie T. I said this was only for discussion. I now go with Mckinlay, Miller, Mcmillan, Hunter, Mcgregor, Doug. T., Gilbertson (196 matches, 1707 points for Poole), and Harkins. Anyone better that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 I said this was only for discussion. I now go with Mckinlay, Miller, Mcmillan, Hunter, Mcgregor, Doug. T., Gilbertson (196 matches, 1707 points for Poole), and Harkins. Anyone better that? That's more like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveallan81 Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 I can't dispute the older generation - McKinlay, Miller, McGregor, Gilbertson or the Templetons - I never saw any of them ride. Come to think of it, by the time I started going in the late seventies that team was either retired or moving into the latter years of their careers. I would have Bobby Beaton ahead of Bert Harkins. Not much in it, but for me Beaton should get the nod because he didn't dress like he'd put glue on his body and leapt through a tartan mill. If indeed Beaton, and he deserves to be considered at the very least, is the last true 'top class' Scottish rider then it's approaching half-a-century since we produced one. So either: 1. We were previously spoiled for choice or 2. The time frame largely coincides with the switch to 2nd division racing in Scotland - did Jimmy Mac learn more in second halves than say, Kenny McKinna, racing against higher quality opposition for example? Just a thought or 3. We simply haven't produced one or 4. Comparing eras is impossible and in actual fact Colin Caffrey would have left Gordon McGregor eating dust. One thing I do know - never mind putting out a team, you'd be lucky to fill a heat with Scottish riders now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill94d Posted January 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 I can't dispute the older generation - McKinlay, Miller, McGregor, Gilbertson or the Templetons - I never saw any of them ride. Come to think of it, by the time I started going in the late seventies that team was either retired or moving into the latter years of their careers. I would have Bobby Beaton ahead of Bert Harkins. Not much in it, but for me Beaton should get the nod because he didn't dress like he'd put glue on his body and leapt through a tartan mill. If indeed Beaton, and he deserves to be considered at the very least, is the last true 'top class' Scottish rider then it's approaching half-a-century since we produced one. So either: 1. We were previously spoiled for choice or 2. The time frame largely coincides with the switch to 2nd division racing in Scotland - did Jimmy Mac learn more in second halves than say, Kenny McKinna, racing against higher quality opposition for example? Just a thought or 3. We simply haven't produced one or 4. Comparing eras is impossible and in actual fact Colin Caffrey would have left Gordon McGregor eating dust. One thing I do know - never mind putting out a team, you'd be lucky to fill a heat with Scottish riders now. Can't really disagree Dave with the bulk of the sentiment. Where are the McKinlays? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topsoil Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hopefully with the developments in the stadium ownership at Ashfield, it would be great to see some training days etc set up. The Dale Devils were a good starting point and a pity they had to give up because of financial reasons. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow could benefit enormously with some home grown talent. On a different point, it says above Ross Gilbertson was born in Ayton. Is this correct? I live a couple of miles away from Ayton but I'd never heard of him before. Mind you he was well before I got interested in the sport. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill94d Posted January 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Hopefully with the developments in the stadium ownership at Ashfield, it would be great to see some training days etc set up. The Dale Devils were a good starting point and a pity they had to give up because of financial reasons. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow could benefit enormously with some home grown talent. On a different point, it says above Ross Gilbertson was born in Ayton. Is this correct? I live a couple of miles away from Ayton but I'd never heard of him before. Mind you he was well before I got interested in the sport. Born on 2 Feb 1933 at Ayton, near Eyemouth. Info from 50 Poole Pirates Greats book. Might be able to check parish records if you are nearby. Died a couple of years ago I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Panda Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Born on 2 Feb 1933 at Ayton, near Eyemouth. Info from 50 Poole Pirates Greats book. Might be able to check parish records if you are nearby. Died a couple of years ago I believe. Passed away in February 2009 as it was in the local press as well............. Just as a side note Bert posted on Facebook the other day that this is the first year for many that there will not be a Scottish born rider riding for a Scottish team................. RP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topsoil Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Born on 2 Feb 1933 at Ayton, near Eyemouth. Info from 50 Poole Pirates Greats book. Might be able to check parish records if you are nearby. Died a couple of years ago I believe. Thanks for the reply, going to see if I can find out more about the man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sotonian Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 (edited) And, rather bizarrely, at the age of 33, once represented Young England in an international match! Edited February 1, 2015 by Sotonian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Ross Gilbertson was a very stylish rider and at Poole with Geoff Mudge and Tony Lewis formed one of the most potent heat leader trios the Provincial League ever saw. I had the good fortune to see them ride at New Cross back in the 60's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Wasn't one of the top Australian riders born in Scotland?Ron thingmyjig (Johnson or Johnstone.....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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