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Issue 81 Dean Barker, Taffy Owen, 1987, Poles


TonyMac

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ISSUE 81 (JULY-AUGUST 2017) IS OUT NOW AND INCLUDES . . .

 

DEAN BARKER – Part of the Family

Despite trying to escape the shadow of Martin Dugard and spells with Cradley and Oxford, Eastbourne legend Dean Barker will always be regarded as part of the Eagles family and, as ROB PEASLEY reveals in this exclusive in-depth interview, the former British No.2 and World Cup finalist still works for the Dugards.

 

Here come the . . . POLES

Continuing his new series looking back at foreign imports who ventured to Britain in search of fame and fortune, MARTIN ROGERS recall the Polish thrill-makers and his own trail-blazing role in bringing two of their greatest-ever riders to the attention of UK fans.

 

Plus . . . Arnie Gibbons on why Reading were denied the use of two Poles, while other readers recall their favourite British League Polish recruits.

 

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1987

What! The World Final run over two days, three meetings to determine the world team champions and the BSPA blow the chance to appoint the man who could have guided British speedway into a brighter, more secure future . . . it all sounds a bit double Dutch as ANDREW SKEELS reflects on another year that largely belonged to the Danes, Coventry and Eastbourne.

 

HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS (National League)

After examining away performances of British League teams in our last issue, this time DOUG NICOLSON takes to the road at second tier level, where Birmingham, Eastbourne, Newcastle and Mildenhall were among the best travellers.

 

TAFFY OWEN – exclusive interview

RICHARD BOTT talks to the 'Welsh Wizard', who made history at Belle Vue, went on to become a big star at Workington but has since suffered a huge costly blow in retirement.

 

Plus . . . a kind-hearted reader offers to buy hard-up Taffy a season ticket at Belle Vue and we reveal the long behind-the-scenes fight Peter Collins has been waging with his former club.

 

STOKE: 50 Memorable Moments

ROB PEASLEY goes pottering around Stoke to recall heroes of Hanley and Loomer Road, including Mike Broadbank, Les Collins, Steve Bastable, Ian Gledhill, Nigel Crabtree, Tom Owen, Paul Thorp and Eric Monaghan.

 

OPENING TIMES - Milton Keynes (1978)

British speedway welcomed a brand new venue into the sport in March 1978. ANDREW SKEELS talks to Tony Coupland and Kevin Hawkins about the disastrous opening night at The Groveway, while Andy Grahame looks back at his early days in the MK team.

 

OBITS: Ila Teromaa and Bryan Seery

 

To subscribe for a year in the UK for just £22 or order this single issue, please visit www.retro-speedway.com

 

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ISSUE 81 (JULY-AUGUST 2017) IS OUT NOW AND INCLUDES . . .

 

DEAN BARKER – Part of the Family

Despite trying to escape the shadow of Martin Dugard and spells with Cradley and Oxford, Eastbourne legend Dean Barker will always be regarded as part of the Eagles family and, as ROB PEASLEY reveals in this exclusive in-depth interview, the former British No.2 and World Cup finalist still works for the Dugards.

 

Here come the . . . POLES

Continuing his new series looking back at foreign imports who ventured to Britain in search of fame and fortune, MARTIN ROGERS recall the Polish thrill-makers and his own trail-blazing role in bringing two of their greatest-ever riders to the attention of UK fans.

 

Plus . . . Arnie Gibbons on why Reading were denied the use of two Poles, while other readers recall their favourite British League Polish recruits.

 

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1987

What! The World Final run over two days, three meetings to determine the world team champions and the BSPA blow the chance to appoint the man who could have guided British speedway into a brighter, more secure future . . . it all sounds a bit double Dutch as ANDREW SKEELS reflects on another year that largely belonged to the Danes, Coventry and Eastbourne.

 

HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS (National League)

After examining away performances of British League teams in our last issue, this time DOUG NICOLSON takes to the road at second tier level, where Birmingham, Eastbourne, Newcastle and Mildenhall were among the best travellers.

 

TAFFY OWEN – exclusive interview

RICHARD BOTT talks to the 'Welsh Wizard', who made history at Belle Vue, went on to become a big star at Workington but has since suffered a huge costly blow in retirement.

 

Plus . . . a kind-hearted reader offers to buy hard-up Taffy a season ticket at Belle Vue and we reveal the long behind-the-scenes fight Peter Collins has been waging with his former club.

 

STOKE: 50 Memorable Moments

ROB PEASLEY goes pottering around Stoke to recall heroes of Hanley and Loomer Road, including Mike Broadbank, Les Collins, Steve Bastable, Ian Gledhill, Nigel Crabtree, Tom Owen, Paul Thorp and Eric Monaghan.

 

OPENING TIMES - Milton Keynes (1978)

British speedway welcomed a brand new venue into the sport in March 1978. ANDREW SKEELS talks to Tony Coupland and Kevin Hawkins about the disastrous opening night at The Groveway, while Andy Grahame looks back at his early days in the MK team.

 

OBITS: Ila Teromaa and Bryan Seery

 

To subscribe for a year in the UK for just £22 or order this single issue, please visit www.retro-speedway.com

 

Went to Milton Keynes' opening meeting...it was my 18th Birthday and I drove there thru' the pouring rain. I, personally, was glad that the meeting went ahead but in hindsight I realised that it was probably the worst thing that could have happened for the Promotion in that it must have put many first time attendees to a speedway off for all time.

 

One consolation was that Mike Sampson won the meeting which I applauded considering his great efforts the previous season helping White City secure the title. I seem to remember that when Mike rode at the Groveway in future meetings he seemed to get a poor reception from the crowd? Had he been somehow judged 'guilty' for the opening meeting farce?

 

Also having read the Martin Rogers editorial regarding the Poles I noticed that he couldn't resist yet another dig at White City winning the league in 1977 whilst operating the R/R facility for Dag Lovaas...gets a bit tiresome Martin!

Edited by steve roberts
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