TheReturn Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have driven past the old stadium site a few times over the years since it was turned into housing, but this week on a visit to the area I had a bit of time to kill so I took a look, and I was surprised at the street names. See pics on link below. I have no idea who comes up with street names, but I am not sure if I see it as a fond lookback on good times at the stadium or if this was the developers last laugh at our expense! Nice little housing estate but I would much rather have our ramshackle stadium, a place where I would meet friends, enjoy a few laughs watch exciting racing, cheer my team on, aah, I miss going to speedway without a team to cheer. Long Eaton town planners made a big mistake in removing the stadium and a piece of history from the map, I mean what else brings World Champions to Long Eaton regularly? I doubt much, if anything at all. https://www.flickr.com/photos/132829098@N06/sets/72157651832209637/ 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Long Eaton Speedway . Reminds me of the "good times" when entrance fees were sensible and fuel was cheap, I would attend Brandon on Saturday, Monmore Green most Mondays, and Station Rd midweek. All easy to reach from my home, and great entertainment, wish I could say the same about modern day speedway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy2706 Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 But surely the stadium survived the team for a good while|? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedibee Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have driven past the old stadium site a few times over the years since it was turned into housing, but this week on a visit to the area I had a bit of time to kill so I took a look, and I was surprised at the street names. See pics on link below. I have no idea who comes up with street names, but I am not sure if I see it as a fond lookback on good times at the stadium or if this was the developers last laugh at our expense! Nice little housing estate but I would much rather have our ramshackle stadium, a place where I would meet friends, enjoy a few laughs watch exciting racing, cheer my team on, aah, I miss going to speedway without a team to cheer. Long Eaton town planners made a big mistake in removing the stadium and a piece of history from the map, I mean what else brings World Champions to Long Eaton regularly? I doubt much, if anything at all. https://www.flickr.com/photos/132829098@N06/sets/72157651832209637/ It's an insult .. Look what we built where your stadium was !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I too mourn the passing of Long Eaton Speedway. :sad: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReturn Posted May 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 But surely the stadium survived the team for a good while|? Nope, Long Eaton were riding high, all was good under the Tony Mole ownership. Notice was given to quit the stadium at the end of the season for development plans. Then a mysterious fire burned the pub down, and then another mysterious fire burned the stadium pavilion down a few weeks later, thus leaving everything clear for the developers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Nope, Long Eaton were riding high, all was good under the Tony Mole ownership. Notice was given to quit the stadium at the end of the season for development plans. Then a mysterious fire burned the pub down, and then another mysterious fire burned the stadium pavilion down a few weeks later, thus leaving everything clear for the developers. That's the trouble with these mysterious Fires. You never know where they will spring up next. .................... or do you? Someone might. :shock: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedibee Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 We were ready to go in 93,, all stock purchased for the track shop .. body colours made , team all signed and sealed . tony mole even offered the bank Of Scotland the rent money up to Sept. up front , nothing could possibly have been done on the site before then . and RBS owed it to the creditors to take any revenue they could get to share between them , but they were having none of it . the matches and petrol had already been bought for the mystery fires . and all the necessary red herrings about potential buyers were in place to stave off too much protest ,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 We were ready to go in 93,, all stock purchased for the track shop .. body colours made , team all signed and sealed . tony mole even offered the bank Of Scotland the rent money up to Sept. up front , nothing could possibly have been done on the site before then . and RBS owed it to the creditors to take any revenue they could get to share between them , but they were having none of it . the matches and petrol had already been bought for the mystery fires . and all the necessary red herrings about potential buyers were in place to stave off too much protest ,, It was later than 93 wasn't it when Long Eaton closed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agrotron Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I used to love Station Road we used to park around the outside of the track flashing lights when riders won etc, I only used to go when we were visiting relatives this was during Eric Boococks era and a season in Drury's era, which I think is when Fina got involved in sponsorship there. Racing was good at station road was a sad day to see it shut and the monstrosity they build on top of it, and to name the roads after things was in bad taste imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedibee Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 It was later than 93 wasn't it when Long Eaton closed? I'll have to scratch the 93 .. it was a long time ago and I've been to sleep a few times since then whatever year it was the story is the same I used to love Station Road we used to park around the outside of the track flashing lights when riders won etc, I only used to go when we were visiting relatives this was during Eric Boococks era and a season in Drury's era, which I think is when Fina got involved in sponsorship there. Racing was good at station road was a sad day to see it shut and the monstrosity they build on top of it, and to name the roads after things was in bad taste imo. definitely Fina were on board during the Boocock/Drury era . I think when Eric got involved that's when Long Eaton shook off the Cinderella tag . they became a bit more succesful than previously , and had a hardcore following like no other team . wherever they went at least 100 followed . absolutely fabulous times ,, topped for me only by Middlesbrough of the same era Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 (edited) I'm sure Long Eaton rode in '97 with Martin Dixon, Paul Lee and Carl Stonehewer. Can't remember the other 3 now. Edit - Brent Werner was one of them. Edited May 1, 2015 by SCB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agrotron Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Ronnie Correy rode in that latter years I'll have to scratch the 93 .. it was a long time ago and I've been to sleep a few times since then whatever year it was the story is the same definitely Fina were on board during the Boocock/Drury era . I think when Eric got involved that's when Long Eaton shook off the Cinderella tag . they became a bit more succesful than previously , and had a hardcore following like no other team . wherever they went at least 100 followed . absolutely fabulous times ,, topped for me only by Middlesbrough of the same era When Eric took over I think around the 91 ish rumor had been circulating that the place was closing but didn't and went on to at least 96, can remember maybe 4 blackbirds riding and I think the late Deano Prinsloo had a season there. But I believe the first season Drury started Fina was on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReturn Posted May 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 (edited) Ronnie Correy rode in that latter years Off top of my head he only did a season with us. It was the first time the British League (Elite now) was saved by merging it with the then National League (Premier now). Ronnie Correy was not overly successful at Station Road from memory in that season he was with us, but I think he had just overcome a serious injury. I think that same season Sudden Sam's brother did a year with us and was not overly successful either. Brent Werner did do a few seasons and started poor got much better each season. In the latter days Jan Staechmann, then Carl Stonehewer and at various times Carl Blackbird, Martin Dixon and Steve Johnston, Rickard Hellsen and Paul Lee were the stars in those final few seasons. In that last 2/3 seasons we won the Fours and Best Pairs and came close to the League title again on a couple of consecutive seasons. Edited May 1, 2015 by TheReturn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agrotron Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Stuart Parnaby I remember going out on loan from Bradford to LE, being a former Bradford Duke supporter myself until we moved. Remember Rob Tilbury getting sacked lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I'm sure Long Eaton rode in '97 with Martin Dixon, Paul Lee and Carl Stonehewer. Can't remember the other 3 now. Edit - Brent Werner was one of them. Correct. I was there with Newcastle in 97. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoke Potter Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Sad to say but if you go on google earth now, the overhead view still shows the remains of the track with the roads outlined on the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReturn Posted May 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Remember Rob Tilbury getting sacked lol It's funny, I think Station Road was one of those tracks that riders either excelled around or struggled, and Rob Tilbury was one of those who struggled, well he did when he rode for us. He had been a solid rider at Arena but their track is totally different to Station Road and he never seemed to do anything with us points wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherwatcher Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Iused to cycle there from my home in South Derbyshire, when I was around 14 along time ago now. It was in the 60's, it was a crying shame to see it close and always loved to see all the posters on the fence outside for all the speedway and stockcar meetings. Long Eaton are still riding be it in the MDL league but still going strong and track share at Leicester, I know they are trying to get their own track, hope it happens for them and they make a step up in the leagues. What I would give to see them one day come back to ride in the EL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReturn Posted May 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 (edited) Sad to say but if you go on google earth now, the overhead view still shows the remains of the track with the roads outlined on the top. Oh you are right, it is a bit strange and sad seeing that with the outlay of where the new streets are now. I have screenshot the image and added to the Flickr set. Edited May 1, 2015 by TheReturn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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