RETRO AND VETS

 

Introducing Retro - the new page for old news.   We'll be dipping back in our extensive archive to re-present the stories that were making the news in years gone by.

LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS – posted 11 October 2013

 

Here are two remarkable photographs taken over 60 years which demonstrate that cycle speedway friendships last a lifetime!

 

The grainy black and white photo was taken in 1951 and shows three Birmingham Lions riders (left to right) Ray Goode, Ewart Edwards and John Chaplin about to take part in a test match.

 

The second picture is of the same three riders who met up at the recent reunion of 1950's Birmingham League riders at Cheslyn Hay on 26th September this year.

The concept of referees training and officiating outside their region is nothing new as one of our older readers reminds us.

 

A LOOK BACK IN TIME – posted 11 October 2013

 

Some forty years ago the Cycle Speedway Council convened a meeting at the Epping Civic Centre that saw interested parties, mainly from the four major leagues/areas [English, East Anglia, Southern /Home Counties and Northern Premier/Manchester] coming together to explore mutual benefits.

 

This resulted in universal agreement to form a national referees’ panel of each respective region/leagues top officials as role models, setting the standards that would hopefully cascade to all levels of officialdom, and a charter of standards based on regional societies of referees.

 

This followed the English League’s initiative who had, at the time, taken the lead in refereeing and uniformity of standards, such innovative men as Brian Makepeace and Nobby Dunn introducing training of officials that was deemed years ahead of its time.

 

There was also acceptance by attendees that respective league’s invitation to referees from outside their usual catchments areas, thus encouraging further development of these top officials who also in the main would be considered for appointments to the later stages of national competitions. This meant referees travelling from the South West to East Anglia and East Anglia to Manchester to officiate at team and individual events, thus experiencing differing racing styles etc.

 

The new panel was chaired by Jimmy Cobain (Cheshire) with East Anglia’s John Elwin (Norfolk) as secretary.  Some of the first members to be nominated to serve on the group were Robbie Dyer (Dorset), John Tombs (Devon), Graham Sutton (Dorset) and Harry Glover (Leicestershire) (all English League); John Mealing (Essex) and Dave Fleming (London) (Southern/Home Counties); Dave Blinston (Greater  Manchester), Mike Cockroft (West Yorkshire) and Graham Dent (Cheshire) (Northern Premier/Manchester Leagues; Mel Perkins (Norfolk), Dave Hunting and Alan Ford (both Suffolk) (East Anglia League).

 

This system was seen as a successful Cycle Speedway Council venture, well supported by all the major regional leagues, further enhancing the newly formed Council’s desire to maintain a unified sport and raise the standards of the sport’s match officials.

TYNESIDE REUNION – posted 29 September 2013 

Old comrades (in more senses than one) from Tyneside met up this weekend at the East London Eurovets for the first time in more than 40 years.  Left to right, Terry Kirkup,  Les Gustafson and Jim Graham.  They also shared memories of 60s matches with Mick Aris and Fred Rothwell.

JIM GRAHAM – 46 YEARS ON – posted 30 April 2013

 

Those lucky enough to have a copy of ’50 Years of Cycle Speedway’ will see on the page recording the events of 1967 there is a small mention of that year's Tyneside Best Pairs at South Shields where the runners-up were Jim Graham and Les Gustafson.

 

Fast forward to last weekend, forty-six years later - and there's Jim

Graham again, runner-up in this year's equivalent event at Cramlington, sadly not paired with his old team mate Les this time but with his grandson Dan.

MYSTERY SOLVED – posted 9 March 2013

 

Thanks to readers Colin and Graham Sutton, we have now been able to identify all the riders featured on this photo of the English League test team which was taken in the early Seventies.  The riders are:

Standing l to r: Geoff Patman, Derek Knight, Colin Wheeler, Mike Pretty (team manager), Alwyn Dominey, Tam Low and Vic Haines.

Kneeling: Roger Ellis, Graham Davies and Kelvin Wilson.

 

Trawling through our photo archive, we came across this picture of the English League test team.  We can recognise some of the riders including Geoff Patman, the late Derek Knight, Colin Wheeler, Vic Haines, Roger Ellis and team manager Mike Pretty but can’t identify all of the team.  If you know who the riders are and when the photo was taken, please drop us a line and let us know.

BRILLIANT RACE FROM THE ARCHIVE – posted 12 February 2013

 

We may have featured this clip from the 1984 Daily Mirror national championship before but quality is always worth repeating.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qjCZGQ3rMG0#!

 

It’s a thrilling race between two of cycle speedway’s all-time greats, Jim Varnish and John Watchman, taken during the British individual final at Thurrock, Essex. 

 

Jim Varnish in the colours of Birmingham went on to take the title on 17 points, one ahead of Southampton’s Colin Wheeler (16) and Manchester’s John Watchman (15) who won a tie-break race involving Glyn Whale (East London), Tim Snook (Great Blakenham) and Tony Birch (South London).  The match was refereed by Ken Taylor.

 
FANTASTIC PHOTO PORTFOLIO – posted 1 February 2013

 

The wonderful array of vintage cycle speedway photographs published on Dave Tulloch’s excellent FourLapFever website prompted us to ask Dave how he came to be in possession of such a fantastic portfolio of pictures.  Here’s what Dave had to say.

 

“Around a year or so back my old mates Dave Jones and Tony Ridgwell (ex Estuary Eagles) saw in a local paper an article on cycle speedway and contacted the chap in question.  This led them to a meeting with him!

 

“It turned out he was a member of Thundersley Tigers way back in time and he handed over the photos.  I simply couldn't believe the sheer quality of them as they are of a professional type and not just snaps from a Kodak Brownie!  That’s why they cover the London area – an amazing find that for me really captures that late Fifties, early Sixties area perfectly!

 

How many more ex-riders are out there with long lost archives?  I was in contact a couple of years back with a local historian who put me in contact with an ex local rider (Southminster) who had just an incredible collection of stuff including diaries/photo's and a huge scrapbook etc – a full record of the club and its adventures.

 

They didn’t last long but unfortunately I couldn't get my hands on them as he was very reluctant to let me copy them!  Why I don’t know but the historian has, in the past, kindly given me various bits and pieces regarding local cycle speedway, so I do think there is still much out there to find.

 

“Only a few years back I was handed a video tape and told, once home, make a cup of tea and settle down and watch it!  Once playing it I really did cry as it was a Super-Eight colour film of me racing/training back in 1963!!!  Just incredible!  So these wonderful treasure troves are still about and still to be unearthed!” suggested Dave.

 

The archive photos can be found on http://www.youtube.com/user/fourlapfever.

 

Editor’s Note – Readers may wish to know that the national cycle speedway archive is housed at Warwick University.  The archive contains thousands of cycle speedway magazines, programmes, handbooks, annuals, reports, development plans, sponsorship prospectus, fixture lists, posters, press cuttings and photographs.  If readers have items they would like to gift to the collection, please would they contact in the first instance.

BIRTHDAY PARTY BRINGS TOGETHER TEAM OF ’81 – posted 21 January 2013

 

Retro was all the rage at Dave Foster`s 60th birthday party in Coventry last weekend as 150 guests celebrated the popular Coventry stalwart’s big night with an evening of fun, Sixties music and lots of cycle speedway nostalgia thrown in.

 

Remarkably, the evening conspired to present all eight of the Coventry 1981 team all at the same time and all in the same venue, 32 years on! The ale flowed as tales were exchanged of olden times, misspent youth, fond memories and terrific friendships that last until this very day.

 

Fresh from a rousing live set with his band `Rough Edges`, Dave Foster rounded up his teammates for an tremendous photograph. The `King of Clowns`and DJ for the night, Pete Averns was there, together with the formidable opening pairing of Kevin `Herbie` Marston and Steve `George Byles` Hewitt.

 

Mark Taylor, the stylist number eight of the team, who never left the bar all night, joined the photo call alongside Mike `Spike` Allen. Present day official Rob McGuire joined the fun and the early eighties side was completed by Joe McLaughlin, who amazingly still turns out for the team today. Joe wasted no time in promoting the 2013 British final all evening.

 

The way we are! The Coventry team of 1981 back together again. Back row (left to right): Mike Allen (number 5 in 1981), Dave Foster (7), Steve Hewitt (2), Pete Averns (6), Joe Mclaughlin (3), Mark Taylor (8). Front row (L to R): Rob McGuire (4) and Kevin Marston (1).

WHIPPS CROSS UNCOVERED – posted 14 January 2013

 

Reader Steve Woodroof has come to the rescue!

 

Following our recent posting regarding the old Whipps Cross track, Steve has been in touch and told us:

 

“The pub was called the White Hart in Temple Mills Lane, East London. It was demolished in the 1990s but closed much earlier than that.  The cycle speedway track next to the pub was used in 1950 by the Whipps Cross Comets. The club disbanded in 1971.  Then Newham Hammers took the track over next.  It is now part of the Olympic site.  We sometimes rode there in the late 70's when it was a derelict site” explained the East London rider.

RECALLING WHIPPS CROSS – posted 12 January 2013

 
Trawling through our picture archive, we stumbled across this wonderful old picture of the Whipps Cross track with its famous asymmetric bends.  Can any of our readers tell us more about this unique old track?  When was it built, what was the name of the pub next door, when was it last raced on, what’s on the site now, did they have any famous riders – that sort of thing?  Let us know and we’ll share your memories with other Spokesman readers.

BIRMINGHAM MEMORIES – posted 29 December 2012

 

Here’s a real vintage picture from the cycle speedway archive unearthed by Sandwell stalwart Brian Buck.

 

“It was taken in 1957 at our original track in Balsall Heath Road, Birmingham when we were called Birmingham Lions” explained Brian.

 

“Believe it or not, this was the back straight of the track which at the time was considered one of the best in Birmingham!

 

“Harold Smith took this photo and sent it to the Birmingham Mail and to Birmingham City Council to try to highlight the appalling conditions under which Birmingham League clubs of the time had to operate. The Mail printed the picture and the Council were very annoyed at the implied criticism of them!

 

“It just shows just how far the sport has come since those bad old days eh?” said Brian with a smile.

MILTON MEMORIES – posted 25 November 2012

 

For those interested in the sport’s history, there’s an interesting piece about the early days of cycle speedway in the Northamptonshire village of Milton.  Take a look at

 

http://www.miltonmalsorhistory.org.uk/times/speedway/

MANCHESTER LEAGUE HISTORY – posted 15 November 2012

 

Veteran administrator John Whiting is taking on a daunting task, compiling a comprehensive history of the Manchester League.

 

“I am trying to archive the history of the Manchester League” explained John.  “Derek Garnett has kindly given me a lot of records but there are some gaps.  Is there anyone from around the area who has a concise set of records especially from 1990 onwards?” asked John.

 

“When completed, it will be going onto the BC cycle speedway website, but should anyone wish a copy I will be quite happy to send them one. It's on an Excel spread-sheet. Please drop me a line if you have any records” urged John.

 

If you have any records that you fell might help, please email John at

RECALLING WATCOMBE GULLS – posted 14 November 2012

 

Spokesman reader Deanne Barnett is keen to hear from anyone who raced with her late husband for the Devon team, Watcombe Gulls.

 

Sadly Deanne’s husband, Derek, passed away on 5 January 2012 and she’d love to hear from any of his former team mates or riders from his era.

 

Please drop us a line at and we’ll pass on your emails to Deanne.

TUDDENHAM REVISITED – posted 28 October 2012

 

We are often asked “what is the attraction of cycle speedway”.  The older we get and the more we race in later years, the quicker and more frequently the question comes.

 

If anyone had any doubts they should have been standing in remote wood in Norfolk on a wet, dank Autumn afternoon.  The small assembled group, unperturbed by the drizzling rain, transcended the generations, both joined by a single thread – a life- long love of this crazy but addictive sport of cycle speedway.

 

The one end of the spectrum there was the Lapse4 team of Peter Ingram, Tim Snook and Daniel Zagni who tour the south-east counties looking for the sites of tracks that closed decades ago.  At the other we had four wonderful gentlemen, mostly well into their Eighties, reliving races from 60 years ago with crystal clear clarity and equal enthusiasm.

 

The group were visiting the long lost but never forgotten North Tuddenham Rangers’ track, a small hamlet consisting of a handful of houses, close to the market town of Dereham.

 

The coming together was magical.  1989 British champion Tim Snook chatting to Les Perrett, runner-up in the 1952 national championship at Riverside Park, Chiswick; 1987 indoor champion Daniel Zagni explaining the techniques of sports hall racing to former Norfolk star Hank Harris while Geoffrey Dye and Les’s older brother Ted listened attentively as Peter Ingram regaled the fact that 40 plus youngsters regularly turn up for Monday night training sessions at Kesgrave.

 

“We must never forget North Tuddenham cycle speedway” said Les Perrett.  “They were marvellous days, some of the best days of our lives, racing in the Beetley and District League and travelling to London for national matches.  Magical – just magical” recalled Les.

To commemorate their love and passion for cycle speedway, the veterans have put up a ‘memorial’ plaque at the site of the old track where the concrete starting grid and rusty upright starting posts are still clearly visible.

 

In true cycle speedway tradition, the group retired to the warmth and comfort of a nearby village pub to trawl through grainy black and white photos and fading programmes from the late Forties and early Fifties to talk about races won and opponents beaten over 60 years ago.

 

It is difficult to explain the lure of cycle speedway but if you’d been at remote wood in Norfolk on a wet Autumn afternoon, you would understand – for ever!

 

Editor’s Note – We hope to revisit Tuddenham during the winter to talk more with the old timers to record their memories for future generations.

HECKMONDWIKE’S GOOD CONNEXIONS – posted 27 October 2012

 

Following publication of our recent report about indoor cycle speedway at Coventry Connexion, this photo dates back from the very first weekend at this venue, back in February 1993.

 

Heckmondwike pipped Poole by one point for the Speedway Star Fours Trophy, when club stalwart Darren Kent (yes, he was a already club stalwart back then too !) passed Poole’s Ian Woodhouse on the last bend of the last race.

 

We believe the event also marked the last competitive appearance of double British champion Martyn Hepworth, who, if we recall correctly, went out with a bang, scoring a maximum.

 

Editor’s Nore – We know that Martin is an avid reader of Spokesman-Online, so perhaps the Poole legend will be able to confirm this match was indeed his swansong.

NOSTALGIC MOMENT – posted 22 October 2012

 

The local Bedford newspaper has recently carried a nice cycle speedway story from yesteryear.  Take a look at

http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/community/nostalgia/bike-building-boys-captured-1-4380646?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

SIGHTHILL REMEMBERED – posted 10 October 2012

 

In their heyday they struck fear in every cycle speedway team in the country.

 

The mighty Sighthill Hammers from Edinburgh dominated the sport in the mid-Sixties, winning one of the greatest matches of all time when, in 1966, they defeated the legendary Offerton Devils by 50 points to 46 in a classic final at Eastleigh Park in Southampton to become the first Scottish club to win the British team championship.

 

It was fitting retribution as only twelve months before Offerton had beaten Sighthill by the same 50-46 scoreline in the final at Gatley in Cheshire.

 

Several riders from the famous team of ’66, including Tam Daly, Don Moir, Jimmy Borge and Jackie Pinkerton, joined fellow former Hammers to reflect on the glory days of Scottish cycle speedway.

 

Our picture shows

Standing – from the left

Jimmy Borge, Don Moir, Tam Daly (in Sighthill race bib), Norman Douglas (Sighthill Hammers’ manager) Jackie Pinkerton

Kneeling - Gordon Whitehead, Bobby Adair.

HAS LOST TRACK BEEN REDISCOVERED AFTER 60 YEARS?
 – posted 9 October 2012

Has a famous Stepney cycle speedway track been re-discovered over 60 years after the local club disbanded?

 

That’s the intriguing conundrum raised by the Lapse 4 website as they continue their never-ending search for yesteryear’s cycle speedway tracks.

 

Lapse 4 leader Peter Ingram is convinced the Arbour Atoms track in Arbour Square, Stepney is now an attractive garden – in the shape of a cycle speedway track!!!

 
“I used the information from Dave Hunting's Teams Down the Ages website and found the location. It looked like the shape of the track has been made into a garden. If so it's a great memory of days gone by” Peter told Spokesman.

 

“I think I've found Hackney as well but didn't have enough time to visit. Will try again soon though” said Peter excitedly.

 

Click on the Lapse 4 website for more details.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lapse-4-2012-Cranking/192916407456320

2,827 TEAM LISTED ON HISTORY WEBSITE – posted 9 October 2012

 

Dave Hunting’s excellent Cycle Speedway Teams Down the Ages goes from strength to strength.  The website lists an amazing 2,827 teams from literally all over the British Isles.

 

The latest additions are from Ireland and includes teams with evocative names such as Dublin Falcons, Kildare Devils, Penrose Flyers (pictured) and Dublin-based Phibsboro Aces.

 

If you haven’t visited the site of late, it’s worth another look.  Just click on

http://www.cyclespeedwayhistory.org.uk/ - and while you are there see if you can throw any light on identifying any of the teams or riders listed at the top of the Down the Ages homepage or click on http://www.cyclespeedwayhistory.org.uk/helpneeded.shtml

 

NEWCASTLE MEMORIES – posted 9 September 2012

 

There was an interesting article about cycle speedway in last week's Newcastle Diamonds v Rye House Rockets speedway programme written by John Skinner who is webmaster for the History of Newcastle Cycle Speedway site (increase browser magnification to view more clearly).

NORFOLK NOSTALGIA – posted 27 July 2012

 

Norfolk speedway and cycle speedway fans from the past have been invited to attend a charity event in north Norfolk next month.

 

The Classic Cars and Bikes Show will take place at North Walsham’s Orchard Garden pub on 5 August from noon until 5pm.  The event will include guest appearances from former Norwich Stars motorcycle and Scottow Horseshoes cycle speedway team.

 

Organiser Alan Rose is urging anyone who belonged to other Norfolk village cycle speedway teams to turn up too for a chat and to admire the bikes and memorabilia on show.

Former stars at the event will include Trevor Hedge (pictured) who reached the final of the Speedway World championship in 1970.  Trevor, now 67, began his riding career as a teenage member of the Scottow cycle speedway team, whose track was close to the Scottow Horseshoes pub.

WOLVERHAMPTON WOLVES 1963 - posted 14 July 2012

The Express and Star newspaper carried an interestiing feature in last night's issue.  Can you spot a very young Roger Ellis, Pete Rhodes and Brian Buck (increase browser magnification to view more clearly).