BOBBATH Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 I got to thinking which of the British League stadiums of 1965 are still operating as speedway venues- I came up with three only- Poole, Sheffield and Newcastle, and I think maybe some of them had a couple of years when they closed. Before anybody tells me King's Lynn- as I recall they were running open meetings in 1965 and joined the BL in 1966. This is very depressing although I am not sure of the status of the Abbey Stadium. However did we get to this state where only 3 of the 18 are still speedway venues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 Wolves at Monmore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 (edited) Oxford are back... Not just speedway, though. Taking the First Division clubs in 1965-66, we have lost Filbert Street, White Hart Lane, Boleyn Ground, Highbury, Roker Park, and County Ground. In Division 2, we have lost Maine Rd, The Dell, Highfield Rd, Leeds Rd, Millmoor, Baseball Ground, Burnden Park, Gigg Lane, Ninian Park, and Ayresome Park. It's called "progress" (or so they claim). Edited February 18, 2022 by chunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 2 hours ago, chunky said: Oxford are back... Not just speedway, though. Taking the First Division clubs in 1965-66, we have lost Filbert Street, White Hart Lane, Boleyn Ground, Highbury, Roker Park, and County Ground. In Division 2, we have lost Maine Rd, The Dell, Highfield Rd, Leeds Rd, Millmoor, Baseball Ground, Burnden Park, Gigg Lane, Ninian Park, and Ayresome Park. It's called "progress" (or so they claim). ...and further down the leagues Oxford Utd's original Manor Ground when they transferred to the soulless Kassam Stadium to which there are plans apparently to re-locate near to Kidlington? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 9 hours ago, chunky said: Oxford are back... Not just speedway, though. Taking the First Division clubs in 1965-66, we have lost Filbert Street, White Hart Lane, Boleyn Ground, Highbury, Roker Park, and County Ground. In Division 2, we have lost Maine Rd, The Dell, Highfield Rd, Leeds Rd, Millmoor, Baseball Ground, Burnden Park, Gigg Lane, Ninian Park, and Ayresome Park. It's called "progress" (or so they claim). We haven't actually lost White Hart Lane. It has been modernised/redeveloped, but the stadium is still on the same site as it was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sotonian Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 (edited) 14 hours ago, BOBBATH said: I got to thinking which of the British League stadiums of 1965 are still operating as speedway venues- I came up with three only- Poole, Sheffield and Newcastle, and I think maybe some of them had a couple of years when they closed. Before anybody tells me King's Lynn- as I recall they were running open meetings in 1965 and joined the BL in 1966. This is very depressing although I am not sure of the status of the Abbey Stadium. However did we get to this state where only 3 of the 18 are still speedway venues. Ipswich were also running Open meetings in 1965. On the subject of 1965, what did these 4 tracks have in common? Cowdenbeath, Ipswich, K.Lynn, Rayleigh. Edited February 18, 2022 by Sotonian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS50 Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 15 hours ago, BOBBATH said: I got to thinking which of the British League stadiums of 1965 are still operating as speedway venues- I came up with three only- Poole, Sheffield and Newcastle, and I think maybe some of them had a couple of years when they closed. Before anybody tells me King's Lynn- as I recall they were running open meetings in 1965 and joined the BL in 1966. This is very depressing although I am not sure of the status of the Abbey Stadium. However did we get to this state where only 3 of the 18 are still speedway venues. Sheffield were closed for two years, 1989 and 1990 if memory correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
847084 Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 15 hours ago, Andrew said: Wolves at Monmore. But closed 81-2 I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 2 hours ago, 847084 said: But closed 81-2 I believe. '81 was National League when Hans Nielsen?? / Dam McCormick / CVS?? decided it was better to run Birmingham in the top division and stuff Wolves! '82 '83 Wolves were shut until the Pete Adams revival. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadster Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 4 hours ago, Sotonian said: Ipswich were also running Open meetings in 1965. On the subject of 1965, what did these 4 tracks have in common? Cowdenbeath, Ipswich, K.Lynn, Rayleigh. They staged World Championship qualifying rounds? Weymouth also staged at least one open meeting in 1965. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sotonian Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 1 hour ago, Chadster said: They staged World Championship qualifying rounds? Weymouth also staged at least one open meeting in 1965. Correct! All were open license venues that staged WCQR meetings. There was hardly a shortage of tracks then so I wonder what the rationale was? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 1 hour ago, Sotonian said: There was hardly a shortage of tracks then so I wonder what the rationale was? Shocking thought, I know, but perhaps they wanted to PROMOTE the sport! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted February 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 Well done chadster, I couldn't have answered that- I do recall them holding WCQR meetings though, and I agree with Chunky-they just wanted to promote speedway at different venues. One name of the participants stuck in my mind- Leo Ramm-does anybody recall him? Also is it true that Cowley are reopening? That would be great!! What about the Abbey Stadium will they keep going? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 19, 2022 Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 8 minutes ago, BOBBATH said: Well done chadster, I couldn't have answered that- I do recall them holding WCQR meetings though, and I agree with Chunky-they just wanted to promote speedway at different venues. One name of the participants stuck in my mind- Leo Ramm-does anybody recall him? Also is it true that Cowley are reopening? That would be great!! What about the Abbey Stadium will they keep going? It certainly seems that Oxford are back this year! There are a lot of rumours - mostly negative - about what us happening at Swindon, but apparently, they are planning on 2023. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted February 19, 2022 Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 5 hours ago, BOBBATH said: Well done chadster, I couldn't have answered that- I do recall them holding WCQR meetings though, and I agree with Chunky-they just wanted to promote speedway at different venues. One name of the participants stuck in my mind- Leo Ramm-does anybody recall him? Also is it true that Cowley are reopening? That would be great!! What about the Abbey Stadium will they keep going? Apparently the promotion has issued a fixture list? I wish them all the best and hopefully the people of Oxford and the surrounding area will support the venture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted February 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 Just got updated, great news but I'm sorry they don't plan to call them "Cheetahs"- I wish these historic names were preserved. Why "Chargers"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted February 19, 2022 Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 1 hour ago, BOBBATH said: Just got updated, great news but I'm sorry they don't plan to call them "Cheetahs"- I wish these historic names were preserved. Why "Chargers"? Senior team WILL be the Cheetahs, Chargers name is reserved for the junior team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted February 19, 2022 Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 3 hours ago, BOBBATH said: Just got updated, great news but I'm sorry they don't plan to call them "Cheetahs"- I wish these historic names were preserved. Why "Chargers"? ...all that awful "Silver Machine" name that was adopted during the Wagstaff years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 19, 2022 Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 (edited) 34 minutes ago, steve roberts said: ...all that awful "Silver Machine" name that was adopted during the Wagstaff years! But that was a "cool" name! Look at all the youngsters that it attracted to the sport! Edited February 19, 2022 by chunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted February 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2022 Thank Arnieg-glad to hear the Cheetahs will live on!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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