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1954-59 Best Ever Southern Area League Teams


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It would appear that Rye House were the dominant team in the years the Southern Area League operated?

Do forum members agree - and can any member nominate the best team line-up to grace the competition during its all-too-brief but exciting era in the sport?

Here's Link that might stimulate memories of the SAL:

http://edinburghspeedway.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/southern-area-league-1954-1959.html

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1956:

Rye House:

Vic Ridgeon, Jimmy Heard, Brian Brett, Gerry King, Dave Slater, Bobby Croombs, Al Sparrey, Geoff Woodger, Porky Veal, Ernie Baker, Jim Chalkley, Allen Lunn..

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Tough to beat that team gustix-one of my favourite riders Alby Golden was in SAL, lost out as SAL Riders Champion to Ernie Lessiter one year-can't remember the team Alby was in though.

 

 

Alby Golden rode for Ringwood in the SAL

 

I think that Ernie Lessiter and Alby Golden both rode for Ringwood?

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Off the top of my head I reckon the only rider who appeared in the SAL and who went on to appear in the World Final was Brian Brett-who retired much too early. Is this correct and if so does Brian therefore count as the most successful ever product of the SAL??

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Off the top of my head I reckon the only rider who appeared in the SAL and who went on to appear in the World Final was Brian Brett-who retired much too early. Is this correct and if so does Brian therefore count as the most successful ever product of the SAL??

 

In 1958 there was no actual league racing in the Southern Area League, but clubs still operated within the structure. And in that season Ivan Mauger rode for Eastbourne. I think he went on to appear in a World Final? :wink:

And didn't Mike Broadbank make a world final appearance? He was a Rye House rider in the late 1950s.

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Off the top of my head I reckon the only rider who appeared in the SAL and who went on to appear in the World Final was Brian Brett-who retired much too early. Is this correct and if so does Brian therefore count as the most successful ever product of the SAL??

Other SAL riders who appeared in World Finals were Bob Andrews (1960, 1961, 1962, 1964), Mike Broadbank (1958, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, as well as 1965 and 1967 as non-riding reserve), Leo McAuliffe (1963), Ray Cresp (1961), Colin Pratt (1967) and Ivan Mauger. Ivan appeared in the same Rye House team as Brian Brett in 3 SAL meetings in 1957. Brian appeared in the 1965 final.

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Off the top of my head I reckon the only rider who appeared in the SAL and who went on to appear in the World Final was Brian Brett-who retired much too early. Is this correct and if so does Brian therefore count as the most successful ever product of the SAL??

 

 

 

In 1958 there was no actual league racing in the Southern Area League, but clubs still operated within the structure. And in that season Ivan Mauger rode for Eastbourne. I think he went on to appear in a World Final? :wink:

And didn't Mike Broadbank make a world final appearance? He was a Rye House rider in the late 1950s.

 

 

Other SAL riders who appeared in World Finals were Bob Andrews (1960, 1961, 1962, 1964), Mike Broadbank (1958, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, as well as 1965 and 1967 as non-riding reserve), Leo McAuliffe (1963), Ray Cresp (1961), Colin Pratt (1967) and Ivan Mauger. Ivan appeared in the same Rye House team as Brian Brett in 3 SAL meetings in 1957. Brian appeared in the 1965 final.

 

I am glad we have finally defined your original comment BL65. An interesting topic. Thank you.

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Thanx folks, I think I knew about Mauger and that he didn't ride in an actual SAL meeting, but I certainly needed to be reminded of the others-how could I forget!! Excluding Mauger then , who do you think should be considered the most successful ever SAL graduate. Reckon Bob Andrews and Mike Broadbank stand out, and I would then have to say the champ is Mike with Bob a close second-although Bob gets honorable mention for best sense of humour!!

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In 1958 there was no actual league racing in the Southern Area League, but clubs still operated within the structure. And in that season Ivan Mauger rode for Eastbourne. I think he went on to appear in a World Final? :wink:

And didn't Mike Broadbank make a world final appearance? He was a Rye House rider in the late 1950s.

 

Ivan Mauger rode in the actual SAL league competition as well. For Rye House in 1957.

 

All the best

Rob

Edited by lucifer sam
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1956:

Rye House:

Vic Ridgeon, Jimmy Heard, Brian Brett, Gerry King, Dave Slater, Bobby Croombs, Al Sparrey, Geoff Woodger, Porky Veal, Ernie Baker, Jim Chalkley, Allen Lunn..

 

Apart from the 1956 nomination for Rye House, no responses have so far been made in regard to the strongest team for the other seasons in which the competition operated. Here is a refresher Link - and overall it tends to look as though Eastbourne were the most impressive side during the six seasons of the Southern Area League.

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

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