iris123 Posted May 24, 2004 Report Share Posted May 24, 2004 Absolutely outrageous What did he say to deserve that then No,just wondering as i`m rather of the opinion that people react differently in different environments .So that someone who might have been considered a "rowdy" at the Den would have behaved quite reasonablly next door at the speedway.Was just wondering at the make up of the crowds at what can only be described as deprived areas of London even now.Was also wondering ,sure i read,maybe in your book that speedway struggled when it was re-introduced because the old supporters had moved away.Is there any evidence to back this up.Must say when i first went to Arena by train from Fenchurch St was astonished at the amount of housing estates the train passed through.Never seen anything like it,so the upheaval on the other side of the Thames seemed considerably more yet i thought West Ham had good crowds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Darstadly Posted May 29, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2004 (edited) Here is one for you Norman/Anyone. Peter Craven winner of the Tom Farndon memorial trophy at New Cross in 1959. To his left is Johnnie Hoskins, to his extreme right is Tiger Hart co-promotor and who is at Peter's immediate right?? http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jim.blanchard...ven_hoskins.jpg More Photos from John Chaplin included. The one of Ron Johnson/Jack parker tossing the coin at a OZ v. England test is terrific. Edited June 1, 2004 by Dick Darstadly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireblade Posted May 30, 2004 Report Share Posted May 30, 2004 A few years ago, whilst Speedway Star were making the history of Speedway series, there appeared to be some ruins of the old stadium left. Are they still there or are all visible signs of the old place now gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted May 30, 2004 Report Share Posted May 30, 2004 Here is one for you Norman/Anyone. Peter Craven winner of the Tom Farndon memorial trophy at New Cross in 1959. To his left is Johnnie Hoskins, to his extreme right is Tiger Hart co-promotor and who is at Peter's immediate right?? Sorry, can't help you there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 I've often wondered where New Cross Stadium was. I've just found out it was right next to Millwall FC, while searching for a some pictures to make a label for my Once A Jolly Swagman DVD! The Millwall history site might be interesting to some people. Try this page for starters: http://www.millwall-history.co.uk/the_den5.htm When did New Cross actually close down? I was surprised to see that the stadium was only demolished in 1975 and as far as I can see the land still hasn't been redeveloped. There were once plans for a Super Den that would have been built on the site of the old speedway stadium, but they fll through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Blanchard Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Or Try http://www.art-in-motion.co.uk Which heads up the thread. You will find all you need there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 When did New Cross actually close down? You know how to hurt someone, Grachan! It was 1963. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Sorry Norbold. Are you okay now? I didn't mean any harm. Honest. Very interesting site Jim. I looked at it earlier after locating this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 I've just about recovered. It's taken 41 years, but I'm almost there.... Of course I did have a bad relapse in 1972 when West Ham closed as well. That didn't help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 When did New Cross actually close down? I was surprised to see that the stadium was only demolished in 1975 and as far as I can see the land still hasn't been redeveloped. There were once plans for a Super Den that would have been built on the site of the old speedway stadium, but they fll through. The photo was taken a while back as the Old Den was knocked down and re-developed for housing.To go in the Ilderton Road entrance you used to pass what was remaining from the old speedway stadium,the old gates,etc also up in the park(well it was achildrens play area when i was there there was still the remains of the terracing from one end.Once Millwall moved down the road i used to go from the South Bermondsey end so never went past the Old Den or the speedway track to know if anything still remains or if the area was re-developed along with the Den. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clivehitch Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 Don't remember any trouble from the notorious Millwall fans at New Cross..i think speedway is more family orientated anyway..can only remember 1 or 2 incidents at all the meetings i have attended. The away fans in speedway don't follow the team in the same numbers they do at football. I think there is housing on the Den and Frying Pan sites now,as Millwall F.C. are now at Senegal Fields by South Bermondsey station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Blanchard Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 To be honest Clivehitch, I lived just the other end of Cold Blow lane and as well as supporting New Cross speedway (whenever it was in operation..) I went to most of the home Millwall matches with either my dad or my mate, for many years and I can never remember any trouble at either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 Just out of interest,in your day who was considered the main rivals? Wembley,Wimbledon or West Ham i guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clivehitch Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 Jim..we used to go to Charlton in the sixties, but most of my mates were Millwall fans and i found the atmosphere quite intimidating at the Old Den.No away fan or team liked going there. NO ONE LIKES US WE DON'T CARE!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Blanchard Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 Well then - serves you right for going to Charlton. You must have had a guilty concious. I never ever felt intimidated at the Den I almost lived there.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clivehitch Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 Yeah but Jim you weren't an 'Addicks fan at the Den..scary mate!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Blanchard Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 (edited) No true I was not and I am not sure what it was either Clive. Just had a few things come back to me whilst on the subject (the old altzhiemers keeps kicking in...) A guy used to walk around the pitch on the gravel path with a white coat on selling sweets and crisps from a huge whicker type basket - he was a family friend known as Archie Bullimore. His proper job was driving one of those three wheeled lorries I think they were called Scamels or Scarabs or something like that! With just a quick walk through the arches in Cold Blow Lane and we were there. So on our doorstep was Football, Speedway and greyhound racing. During either speedway or the dog meetings they used to open the main gates at the Den so that you could walk through the back of the terraces to get to the speedway track. It was a narrow archway that was access to the seating area. It got a bit hectic when the meeting ended and so many people were trying squeezing into it, very claustrophobic. I used to feel very relieved to get out of it. When I got married and cleared off my parents house was eventually demolished at the Deptford end of Cold Blow Lane but they were rehoused at the New Cross end in the Flats just off Monson Road called Barlborough Street. When visting my Dad once there in the '80's I drove down Ilderton Road to see what had happened to the Frying Pan and it was just a grassy mound with flats all around it but the shape of it was there with a high brow at the pits end like it used to be. Ah what memories. Millwall wise I am talking in the Joey Broadfoot Keith Weller era. When I got married and moved away in the early 70's I never really ever went back there and have never seen the new Den. Edited September 12, 2004 by Jim Blanchard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clivehitch Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 Have visited the New Den..too posh..not intimidating enough!! There was not a better cure for constipation as an away fan than walking through the maze of back streets to the Old Den!! Norbold.. just finished reading your excellent "Speedway in London"book..brought back memories.My Dad was a Wembley fan after the war(traitor!he was a sarf'Londoner!)and was in the crowd of 85000 for the WembleyvNew Cross match..20000 locked out!! Do you think this is a record for a club meeting? Sad to see the state of speedway in the capital today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 clivehitch Had a couple of friends(Man Utd fans) who went to the Old Den,wandering lost around the back streets and were approached by someone saying "you ain't Millwall fans are ya".They both promptly legged it,in different directions i may add and only one went in to see the match Remember having to produce my season ticket once when i was with a couple of friends who were looking for someone selling ticket for a Chelsea or West Ham game.We walked up to the Cold Blow end,no luck,turned around and was walking back when we were challenged.Great place,great atmosphere.Can't say the same about the new place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Tyrrell Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 Sadly, my one and only visit to New Cross was the last meeting in 1963, a 41-37 win against Poole. The next meeting was billed versus Edinburgh the following week but the track closed in that week. I was in the habit at that time of catching the train to Paddington, after finishing work in Oxford at 4pm, and then getting on the Underground.There was nearly always a bus laid on at the other end to the track. The reverse journey was always a challenge with the train timings but it was good fun cycling home in the early hours with the birds singing. New Cross was the furthest track across London but I'm glad I made that trip. I was able to get to Wimbledon, Hackney, West Ham and Wembley by this method and always kept the programmes. Happy days. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.