Forsberg brothers?

[Bavarian]

In the 1950s there were (at least) four Swedish riders by the name of Forsberg. I wonder if anyone knows if they were brothers?

The most prominent is Dan Forsberg (born 25.3.1934), who rode in two World Finals (1952 and 1957) and was a league rider for Birmingham in 1953, 1954 and 1957. 

Then there was Birger Forsberg (born 25.9.1930, died 31.8.2007), who rode in England for Rayleigh (1957), Poole (1958 and 59) and Ipswich (1960).

The third one is a Kai Forsberg, of whom I don't really know much, other than he emigrated to Australia.

And there was even a fourth Forsberg, a rider by the name of Roger Forsberg.

Who knows more about them?

 

 

[andout]

Never saw Dan, Kai or Roger but certainly remember Birger at New Cross in I think 1959.........

[bigdave]

These are the entries in the Speedway Riders Index (1929-2022) for 3 of the people you name:

Billy Sven FORSBERG Born: 13 May 1988, Norrkoping, Sweden. Career record: (2007-09) Belle Vue. Grandson of Dan Forsberg.

Birger FORSBERG Born: 25 September 1930, Skelleftea, Sweden. Career record: (1957) Rayleigh; (1958-59) Poole; (1960) Ipswich. International honours: Swedish international (19 caps).

Dan FORSBERG Born: 25 March 1934, Vaageryd, Sweden. Career record: (1952-53) Birmingham; (1957) Birmingham. Individual honours: World Final, 1952 (6th), 1957 (15th). International honours: Swedish international (17 caps). Grandfather of Billy Forsberg.

There is no entry in the index for Roger Forsberg

[Bavarian]

Thanks bigdave but of course I had not included that third generation youngster Billy Forsberg, grandson of Dan. The four I wanted to know if they were brothers or not, were all of a similar age and were all active speedway riders in Sweden in the 1950s.

Of those four, only Dan and Birger are entered in the Speedway Riders Index, but there is no info on the other two, that's Roger Forsberg and Kai Forsberg, who might never have ridden in the UK. 

[Puma23]

Hi,

Birger rode 2 time in World Long Track championship (1957-6th, 1958-12th). Four times he rode in swedish final. The best place was 8th in 1955. He represented Monarkerna Sztokholm 1951-1960 (2 gold medals 1955 and 1956). 

Kaj rode one time in swedish final (1957 - 9 th). In swedish league he represented Smederna Eskilstuna (1952-1954), Filbyterna Linkoping (1955, 1958), Getingarna Sztokholm (1956, 1957), Vargarna Norrkoping (1958). There he has 3 medals (1952 - silver, 1953 - bronze, 1955- bronze).

Roger rode one time in swedish final (1957 - 15 th). In swedish league he represented Kaparna Goeteborg (1955-1959). There he has 3 medals (1955 - silver, 1957 - bronze, 1959 - bronze).

 

[Puma23]

"Forsberg is a pretty common name, there was no relationship between them.

Dan was from Vaggeryd, but mainly rode for Vargarna. He was Sweden's first ever world finalist in 1952, when he was just 18 years. Finished joint fifth.

That was a huge sensation. He had went on his own to a training school at Ringwood i England and was then offered a place with Birmingham. That made him really good. During 1952 he was among the most well-known sportsmen in Sweden in any sport, was awarded various prizes for his fantastic results, but could never really repeat it in later seasons.

He was only 25 when he retired, following a very bad crash at Wiener Neustadt.

He released a book about his life in 2022, very good one ( danforsberg.se)

His son Raymond rode speedway in the 70's and 80's and grandson Billy in early 2000's.

Birger was from Skellefteå in the north of Sweden, where speedway was held in the early 50's. He was a very tough rider and became popular in England. He started his career with non league club Norrskenen (Northern Lights) and then joined Stockholm club Monarkerna.

Kaj was from Eskilstuna and started his career with Smederna. Liked Australia so much after a speedway tour to that country that he decided to remain there for the rest of his life. He rode speedway in Australia in the early 60's.

Roger was from Gothenburg and rode for Kaparna.

He also remained in Australia after a trip to that country, but returned home after a few years."