keepturningleft Posted October 15, 2021 Report Share Posted October 15, 2021 I have just started reading the new book from journalist Andrew Edwards. In it, Peter Collins opens up about his ongoing boycott of Belle Vue and the recent promotions. All this is such a shame - it's difficult to comprehend why after all this time, PC can't find it in himself to bury the hatchet and get back to Belle Vue where he belongs. PC must be nudging 70 by now and life is just too short to be consumed by bitterness. PC, if by any chance you get to see this post, the thousands of fans are surely more important than the few individuals with whom you have a grievance. You are Belle Vue's greatest living legend and would be guaranteed an overwhelming reception at the NSS. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted October 15, 2021 Report Share Posted October 15, 2021 What’s the title of the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepturningleft Posted October 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2021 MCN Days, Speedway Nights: A Reporter's Recollection of his Glory Days of Speedway Available on Amazon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted October 16, 2021 Report Share Posted October 16, 2021 Must add this title to my collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted October 17, 2021 Report Share Posted October 17, 2021 (edited) I am afraid PC, for all his brilliance in the track, seems to have turned into quite a sour tempered old man. Edited October 17, 2021 by Grand Central Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted October 17, 2021 Report Share Posted October 17, 2021 Just ordered the book ready for Xmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted October 17, 2021 Report Share Posted October 17, 2021 3 hours ago, Grand Central said: I am afraid PC, for all his brilliance in the track, seems to have turned into quite a sour tempered old man. Sadly I have heard from more than one source that he is not the same man since a brain haemorrhage some years ago. And if that's the case, then I think people in the position to do so, should be careful what they put into print from the PC of today, should it tarnish the reputation of someone who has made an immeasurable contribution to the sport and given so much joy to so many people in speedway. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted October 17, 2021 Report Share Posted October 17, 2021 I spoke with him at length when he was commentating on a SKY meeting at Eastbourne several years ago. I found him to be good company and a really nice bloke, but i accept some peoples circumstances change. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruiser Posted October 22, 2021 Report Share Posted October 22, 2021 Sadly Chris Morton doesn’t have any relationship with PC any more and it’s all a great shame. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruiser Posted October 22, 2021 Report Share Posted October 22, 2021 Not having seen the book i assume that this is Peter Collins stance on all ex riders being allowed into Belle Vue free . it’s a shame as PC was always welcome free of charge but he demanded every ex rider was also let in free and I assume he still holds those views Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted October 24, 2021 Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 On 10/23/2021 at 12:00 AM, Bruiser said: Not having seen the book i assume that this is Peter Collins stance on all ex riders being allowed into Belle Vue free . it’s a shame as PC was always welcome free of charge but he demanded every ex rider was also let in free and I assume he still holds those views Not really a realistic stance is it? Of course it's not easy to draw the line. Riding for a speedway team is a paid job, not some sort of voluntary service. I'd say guys like PC, Mort, Lyons, Crump are all in the bracket of those who who gave great service, always gave 100%, represented the Aces with distinction and each made a significant contribution to Belle Vue's rich history....of course they would merit free passes. There are others too. Call them lifetime members. But can anyone really argue that say Barry Ayres or Bernie Collier (sorry to pick these two...they are just two who come to mind) and everyone in between should deserve free entry for evermore? I worked for six years stacking shelves at Tesco's to fund my student years....should I get free shopping now? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted October 24, 2021 Report Share Posted October 24, 2021 2 hours ago, falcace said: Not really a realistic stance is it? Of course it's not easy to draw the line. Riding for a speedway team is a paid job, not some sort of voluntary service. I'd say guys like PC, Mort, Lyons, Crump are all in the bracket of those who who gave great service, always gave 100%, represented the Aces with distinction and each made a significant contribution to Belle Vue's rich history....of course they would merit free passes. There are others too. Call them lifetime members. But can anyone really argue that say Barry Ayres or Bernie Collier (sorry to pick these two...they are just two who come to mind) and everyone in between should deserve free entry for evermore? I worked for six years stacking shelves at Tesco's to fund my student years....should I get free shopping now? There are those who will disagree, I'm sure, but I'm with you 100%... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted October 25, 2021 Report Share Posted October 25, 2021 To be fair to PC, in terms of his foreward to the book, only a couple of paragraphs mention his stance regarding Belle Vue. Even then it is an explanation of how the author supports his view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted November 3, 2021 Report Share Posted November 3, 2021 (edited) I tried to obtain a copy of the book thru' Waterstones but apparently it's out of print? I've hopefully securred a copy elsewhere. Edited November 3, 2021 by steve roberts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted December 13, 2021 Report Share Posted December 13, 2021 (edited) On 10/24/2021 at 7:19 PM, falcace said: I worked for six years stacking shelves at Tesco's to fund my student years....should I get free shopping now? If you gave Tesco 16 years' service, entertained customers and made them come back for more... won a world title... lost a world title after shattering your leg on a sharp bit of trolley the store left in your way, needing 200 stitches, but didn’t claim compo... shattered your arm after fall on the soaking wet Tesco floor because you were forced to work in those conditions, and the injury meaning you couldn’t stack shelves as fast as before... then yes, shopping should be free. Edited December 13, 2021 by moxey63 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted December 13, 2021 Report Share Posted December 13, 2021 16 minutes ago, moxey63 said: If you gave Tesco 16 years' service, entertained customers and made them come back for more... won a world title... lost a world title after shattering your leg on a sharp bit of trolley the store left in your way, needing 200 stitches, but didn’t claim compo... shattered your arm after fall on the soaking wet Tesco floor because you were forced to work in those conditions, and the injury meaning you couldn’t stack shelves as fast as before... then yes, shopping should be free. Did you read my full post? Just scroll up and re read if not. It could not be clearer that PC deserves a free pass. My understanding is that is what exactly was offered, but refused on the grounds that every other Belle Vue rider ever gets the same treatment. Finally, yes, I probably do deserve better from Tesco's. Some of those trolley trains I steered are still talked of with great reverence. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted December 14, 2021 Report Share Posted December 14, 2021 6 hours ago, moxey63 said: If you gave Tesco 16 years' service, entertained customers and made them come back for more... won a world title... lost a world title after shattering your leg on a sharp bit of trolley the store left in your way, needing 200 stitches, but didn’t claim compo... shattered your arm after fall on the soaking wet Tesco floor because you were forced to work in those conditions, and the injury meaning you couldn’t stack shelves as fast as before... then yes, shopping should be free. Yes. But PC WAS offerred free admission. My understanding is his grievance is he felt that ALL former riders should have been offerred the same (I.e the response analogy offerred by falcace). I don't believe anyone would disagree with genuine legends like PC and Mort being given lifetime free admission. But should the same apply to say - and with no disrespect intended- Marc Crang or Andy Campbell or Bernie Collier? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted December 14, 2021 Report Share Posted December 14, 2021 (edited) 20 hours ago, waiheke1 said: Yes. But PC WAS offerred free admission. My understanding is his grievance is he felt that ALL former riders should have been offerred the same (I.e the response analogy offerred by falcace). I don't believe anyone would disagree with genuine legends like PC and Mort being given lifetime free admission. But should the same apply to say - and with no disrespect intended- Marc Crang or Andy Campbell or Bernie Collier? Mark Crang... there's a bloke who was thrown in out of his depth. All due to the averages. I think the Aces paid around £5k for him... Mainly because he had a really low average. Only in speedway.... Edited December 14, 2021 by falcace 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 17, 2021 Report Share Posted December 17, 2021 Seems harsh to tar Andy Campbell with the same brush as Bernie Collier and Mark Crang but I agree with the overall sentiment. Whereas Collier and Crang were NL reserves at best, Campbell on his day was an NL heat leader and a BL second string. We expected him to be our star signing back in 1988 but it didn’t quite work out that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted December 17, 2021 Report Share Posted December 17, 2021 2 hours ago, prodons said: Seems harsh to tar Andy Campbell with the same brush as Bernie Collier and Mark Crang but I agree with the overall sentiment. Whereas Collier and Crang were NL reserves at best, Campbell on his day was an NL heat leader and a BL second string. We expected him to be our star signing back in 1988 but it didn’t quite work out that way. If I recall he rather excelled on Indoor Circuits and won a few Telford events? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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