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Gordon Kennett


Ray Stadia

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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.

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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 

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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

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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