prodons

44 years..unbelievable that so much time has elapsed. Does anyone recommend the Tommy Jansson book? I've just seen a link to it on eBay and was tempted to get it.

John, I think most will be the same as in the 1948 team photo you posted earlier.

I’d go for Kevin Tatum, Brad Oxley, Roger Johns, Mark Burrows, Gavin Hedge, Jamie Luckhurst, Ray Morton, Andre Cross, Rodney Payne and Terry Mussett. Similar to Chunky, applies to those I’ve actually seen, so from the late 1970’s onwards.

Robbie, thanks for putting all the hard work into these amazing race jackets. I’m afraid I didn’t get to vote in time but I would have selected the unique Dons race jacket from 1974. Also loved the Bristol, Teeside (1976-78), Crayford and distinct Wolves efforts from 1972-1975.

What’s great about this site and this particular topic, is that we all have our own favourites to pick from. Mark “Buzz” Burrows was, IMO the most spectacular and arguably most popular rider of the CL era at Plough Lane. He’d definitely make my all time top 10 Dons riders based on entertainment value!

Dingle Brown, Pete Wigley, Alf Hagon and Archie Windmill at a guess.

Chunky, returning to the photo, is the gentleman sitting on the left Vic Gooden, our old Team Manager?

Was a crying shame when the Dons failed to find a way into the 1990 British League. Not only did we lose Todd to Reading but also Russell Lanning (who had done an amazing job as Promotor over the previous 2 seasons) quit Speedway in disgust. Apparently we were lining up Martin Dugard, Andy Galvin and other fantastic up and coming riders...

The middle one is the greatest rider Wimbledon ever had.

The chequered bow tie kind of gives the gentleman sitting on the right hand side away...

Until Kelvin appeared in 1983, we never really got the hang of the 50 point rule. Unfortunately none of the riders you mention Sidney ever did much from the number 7 berth. Though Moggo stunned everyone by nabbing a matching 7 at King’s Lynn in 1982.

Think he was an Aussie, came around the same time as Neil Cameron. Cameron incidentally was the main person in one of Mike Patrick’s most memorable Speedway photos from Plough Lane in 1974. Neil spun round (on Briggo’s spare bike) on the first bend and Barry Crowson of King’s Lynn used him as a launching pad!

Rob Jones appeared on the scene in 1972, stayed for a couple of seasons then re-appeared in 1977. Never seemed to make it out of the reserve berth but was popular.

That was great fun, thanks for posting!