Normski Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 Such sad news to hear. Was only a few weeks ago he was at Berwick spectating. RIP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 54 minutes ago, fatface said: Yep, definitely the late 80s were a great era for the National League and Gordon Kennett at the absolute forefront of that. Not just Eastbourne, but clubs like Mildenhall, Middlesbrough, Hackney, Wimbledon, Poole all in the mix too. A great mix of gnarly vets like Kennett, Les Collins, Simmo, Jessup, Wyer and rising stars like Dugard, Silver, Havelock, Loram. Scottish tours, Southern tours, lots of local derbies. It would be easy to say that Gordon Kennett was easing down in his career, but couldn't be further from the truth. He was always fully committed on any track on any given day. Also one of the great inside line riders.. Yes some great names there...I witnessed Gordon during his early days at Eastbourne and rising thru' the ranks at Oxford, White City (special years) and back at Eastbourne. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesR Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 Sad news for someone still relatively young, great rider and a pleasure to watch. RIP Gordon, and condolences to all the family and friends. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralMelchett Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 3 hours ago, steve roberts said: Yes some great names there...I witnessed Gordon during his early days at Eastbourne and rising thru' the ranks at Oxford, White City (special years) and back at Eastbourne. Happy days for me 87-90 in the old NL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmauger Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 Big shame, I recall Gordon riding for White City then Eastbourne at Hull 1977-81, and he didn't give Ole Olsen a fright in the 1978 World Final at Wembley. RIP Gordon.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 7 hours ago, fatface said: A further thought...when he dropped into the National League in 1985, that coincided with the NL actually becoming a more entertaining league than the BL. Much more teams, less predictable, it's own stars and their own big occasions like the NLRC, Fours and Pairs packing them in. Gordon Kennett was probably the biggest NL star of that era. Was the years that really got me back into the sport after a few away. Great days, lots of young and old talent combined. Wasn't really a big Kennett fan, but I did respect him and especially his Oxford, White City days and he was great to watch at Eastbourne RIP 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 Very sad news, Gordon was at Berwick a few weeks ago as spectator and was a welcome guest. RIP. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadster Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 I saw a lot of Gordon at White City, where he was a real star. Someone earlier mentioned seeing him riding long-track style at Belle Vue and he cetainly did that at Wood Lane. One of the main men in the league, but I felt rather under-rated at the time. He was formidable again whenhe dropped down at Eastbourne and there were some great battles between the Dons and the Eagles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 Sad news, class act.RIP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 1980 at the Abbey sticks in my mind Gordon scoring a. 21 point max and Kai Niemi scoring 19 pts out of a 46 Eastbourne total. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 1 hour ago, Sidney the robin said: 1980 at the Abbey sticks in my mind Gordon scoring a. 21 point max and Kai Niemi scoring 19 pts out of a 46 Eastbourne total. Remember it well Sid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 10 hours ago, steve roberts said: Remember it well Sid! Steve for me Gordon, Kelly, Martin,D ,Boogaloo, Woodsy were the best i see ride at Eastie .But hand on heart ❤ would just edge Gordon in front of Martin and Kelly. Gordon was a terrific servant to speedway and i always wanted Gordon to sign for Swindon the year Stevie B joined in 1981 it never materialised. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 8 hours ago, Sidney the robin said: Steve for me Gordon, Kelly, Martin,D ,Boogaloo, Woodsy were the best i see ride at Eastie .But hand on heart ❤ would just edge Gordon in front of Martin and Kelly. Gordon was a terrific servant to speedway and i always wanted Gordon to sign for Swindon the year Stevie B joined in 1981 it never materialised. Yes Sidney I always thought that Gordon should have moved to Swindon after the closure of White City but I guess he felt comfortable having Bob Dugard as a promoter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 RIP a sad loss always great to watch . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25yearfan Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 First League rides in 1970, last ones in 1994, a number 1 for many of them seasons, World number 2 in 1978! Gordon Kennett had one hell of a career so legendary status is very justified! 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted September 14, 2023 Report Share Posted September 14, 2023 (edited) Apparently there was a minute's applause for Gordon prior to the recent meeting. A true legend at Cowley. Edited September 14, 2023 by steve roberts 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted September 14, 2023 Report Share Posted September 14, 2023 World pairs champion with Simmo in 1978 a great achievement to be even picked. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted September 16, 2023 Report Share Posted September 16, 2023 On 9/14/2023 at 10:21 AM, Sidney the robin said: World pairs champion with Simmo in 1978 a great achievement to be even picked. The pair went unbeaten in the semi-final I remember. Gordon borrowed Simmo's bike and tyres during the final. Gordon was so near claiming the three major World Final Gold medals that year. Gold in the Pairs and Silver in the Team Cup and Individual. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted September 16, 2023 Report Share Posted September 16, 2023 On 9/14/2023 at 8:41 AM, steve roberts said: Apparently there was a minute's applause for Gordon prior to the recent meeting. A true legend at Cowley. Nothing at Peterborough 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted September 16, 2023 Report Share Posted September 16, 2023 35 minutes ago, iainb said: Nothing at Peterborough That's sad considering that Eastbourne and Peterborough had strong promotional ties in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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