customhouseregular

I’m sure I have seen this photo before but I don’t remember the riders. If Norbold can’t help I’m not sure who can. My grandad had a lot of Old Hammers photos and I believe I saw this in his collection many years ago. Sadly he died in 1964 and I have no idea what happened to the photos.

Stan Stevens, Tony Clarke, Brian Leonard, Ted Ede, Tyburn Gallows.

When and where was the coach going?. I may well have been on the same trip. Presume it was with Lacey’s.

Sounds like my next door neighbour when he has a choking fit!

Sadly I never saw Peter Craven ride. I went to Hyde Road for all the BLRC meetings Briggo won . An excellent track and very enjoyable meetings.

West Ham was a very big track and yes, it could produce strung out heats. But... if Sverre, Bjorn, Christer and the really fast visitors, e. g. Briggs missed the gate, they had plenty of time to hunt down the leaders. I went to Hackney and Wimbledon regularly and always enjoyed my visits, but West Ham could and often was the most exciting place to watch speedway.

I was at that meeting so this is probably what I am remembering, albeit incorrectly.

My recollection is this was a one-off second half event, though I edhave no record of it. Probably dreamed it. I don’t think I ever really got over Lokeren. 1964-1971... lots of good memories and some really bad ones, but I will always look back on my Custom House years fondly.

I never really took to Olle but Chister was magic. I don’t know if I dreamed this or imagined it but I have a memory of seeing two sidecar speedway riders tragically lose their lives at Custom House. I have seen mention of it anywhere so probably a false memory. No doubt Norbold would know.

Like you I witnessed both tragedies and yes, it puts things in perspective, sadly.

Bjorne had panache, Sverre had dash. Bjorne had what it took to win more titles. Sverre in full flight could have been champion. What I do know is that having Knutson, Harrfeldt, Hunter, McKinlay and Simmons at Custom House made Hammers fans very happy.

1965 aside, I have to mention 1960, the year I discovered speedway. Sunday afternoons at Rye House, no big names, no major meetings or championships, just the thrill of standing against the fence on the first bend, getting showered as the riders sped past. Heroes to watch on a sunday...no stars, just good solid riders like Mudge, Hitch, Sweetman, McGillivray and Broadbank. Magic days for a 12 year old boy.

Often quoted as the best rider never to win the world title.

It was, and West Ham was a great place to enjoy it.

Most speedway fans have a favourite year depending on age and length of time watching our sport. Mine would be 1965. The British League was formed and we had a long league season. Many more teams to visit Custom House and many new riders to watch. West Ham won the league, the KO cup and the London cup. Bjorn Knutsson became World Champion and finished second in the Internationale. All in all the year that has remained in my memory when others have faded.