Guest Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 (edited) Recalling memories of the speedway days at Crayford: http://www.crayfordkestrels.co.uk Edited August 29, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Went to Crayford just the once (1983) when Crayford took on Hasse Holmqvist's Swedish club side...strange experience and seemed to be a mini Wimbledon and although outside one got the impression that you were under cover with the imposing surrounding grandstands. Track was a bit too small for my liking but a fascinating experience all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Has any BSF member an update on what has happened at Crayford Stadium in recent years? Besides the loss of speedway, the stock cars also went after a few more years. I think the venue has been completely rebuilt and is now much smaller stadium-wise than it was when the two forms of motorsport took place there. Greyhound racing it seems is the venue's only activity nowadays? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racers and royals Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Has any BSF member an update on what has happened at Crayford Stadium in recent years? Besides the loss of speedway, the stock cars also went after a few more years. I think the venue has been completely rebuilt and is now much smaller stadium-wise than it was when the two forms of motorsport took place there. Greyhound racing it seems is the venue's only activity nowadays? Owned by Ladbrokes- they race 5 times a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 (edited) Motorcycle road racing and TT champion Harold Daniell was among the speedway riders competing at Crayford in the early 1930s. Here's a look at his successful non-speedway career: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Daniell Edited September 2, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted August 30, 2017 Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Went to Crayford just the once (1983) when Crayford took on Hasse Holmqvist's Swedish club side...strange experience and seemed to be a mini Wimbledon and although outside one got the impression that you were under cover with the imposing surrounding grandstands. Track was a bit too small for my liking but a fascinating experience all the same. I was there that night too! Worst thing about Crayford was that poxy drive around the south circular. Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted August 31, 2017 Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 I was there that night too! Worst thing about Crayford was that poxy drive around the south circular. Steve It was a wet and miserable night and I drove from Oxford just to see Hasse for one last time. However I went via the equally awful North Circular to pick my brother up at Ilford before continuing onto Crayford...a long night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 31, 2017 Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 (edited) Motorcycle road racing and TT champion Harold Daniell was among the speedway riders competing at Crayford in the early 1930s. Here's a look at his successful non-speedway career: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Daniell I have read SOMEWHERE that Harold Daniell, who lived and worked in nearby Forest Hill, may also have raced in the early speedway racing at Crystal Palace circa 1928 and 1929. Can any Poster refute or confirm this. However, his best speedway exploits do appear to have been in the Crayford meetings in the early 1930s. Edited September 2, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 I was a regular at Crayford from 1975 to 1983. It was a tricky little track with poor viewing facilities, but I still enjoyed going there. It was all under cover with decent food outlets. It had a train station right next door, with good rail links to and from London. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 I can see no mention of the names Mick Mitchell and Keith Harvey, but I am certain that I recollect reading somewhere a good few years ago that both were regulars at Crayford in the pre-WW2 period. Can any Poster confirm this or convince me that I am wrong in this belief? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 A small track that produced some fantastic racing, a highlight being the inter league meeting with Belle Vue in 1977. Watching Peter Collins master the track in his first race and then if I remember correctly breaking the track record in his second. PC was spectacular and a joy to watch on a track, which he had never seen before that meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racers and royals Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 I was there one night- no idea of the year- I do know it was Crayford v Milton Keynes because Barry Allaway was riding. At Crayford the fence didn`t go all the way around - there was an overlap and no fence where the pits were on the 1st bend. Anyway someone fell but the bike righted itself and with the throttle stuck wide open took off straight through this gap scattering people right left and centre !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 Has any BSF member an update on what has happened at Crayford Stadium in recent years? Besides the loss of speedway, the stock cars also went after a few more years. I think the venue has been completely rebuilt and is now much smaller stadium-wise than it was when the two forms of motorsport took place there. Greyhound racing it seems is the venue's only activity nowadays? Owned by Ladbrokes- they race 5 times a week. This is the modernised Crayford Stadium - where only greyhound racing now takes place: http://www.crayford.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 2, 2017 Report Share Posted September 2, 2017 (edited) Over the past few years, Kent Kings have done much to keep alive memories of Wimbledon. Some years ago, they also established contacts through the late Bryn Williams and Derek Barclay - the Kings' current pressman - with Crayford.But while Wimbledon have continued to flourish annually on the Kings' scene, Crayford have slid out of the limelight.IMO it would be nice if, as happens with Wimbledon, that a Crayford link to Kent Migs could be established Just food for thought at the moment - but I wonder if there are others who would also like to see an annual comparative meeting to honour Crayford? Edited September 2, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 2, 2017 Report Share Posted September 2, 2017 Crayford have been represented in fours and pairs events at central park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 2, 2017 Report Share Posted September 2, 2017 Crayford have been represented in fours and pairs events at central park. Thank you for the comment cityrebel. I was also made aware of this fact by our old friend Parsloes 1928 nearly (aka Derek Barclay Kent Kings PRO) who saw a similar Post in regard to Crayford involvement with Kings on FACEBOOK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeyenz Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 I only went to Crayford once. Maybe 1982 or 1983 for a double header against two northern teams when Crayford won one of the matches 65-12. I remember the viewing was a bit restricted and the drive there from Sussex on a Tuesday (?) evening was a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 1980 Crayford 65 workington 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 (edited) Over the past few years, Kent Kings have done much to keep alive memories of Wimbledon. Some years ago, they also established contacts through the late Bryn Williams and Derek Barclay - the Kings' current pressman - with Crayford. But while Wimbledon have continued to flourish annually on the Kings' scene, Crayford have slid out of the limelight. IMO it would be nice if, as happens with Wimbledon, that a Crayford link to Kent Migs could be established Just food for thought at the moment - but I wonder if there are others who would also like to see an annual comparative meeting to honour Crayford? Crayford have been represented in fours and pairs events at central park. Thank you for the comment cityrebel. I was also made aware of this fact by our old friend Parsloes 1928 nearly (aka Derek Barclay Kent Kings PRO) who saw a similar Post in regard to Crayford involvement with Kings on FACEBOOK. Forwarded message sent by Derek Barclay aka Parsloes 1928 nearly ===== Hmm that's not the case at all John - the junior side at Central Park compete as the Kent Kestrels in the SDL with the support and financial backing of the large group of Crayford Kestrels fans who attend CP. We aim to hold another Crayford riders and fans reunion at the forthcoming SDL double header.We had a hugely success reunion there last year and the Crayford name is more alive and squwarking than it has been for many years. Edited September 3, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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