steve roberts

It was a favourite of Martin Ashby...another southern "softie"!

That's an interesting observation? I saw lots of Gordon at Eastbourne, Oxford and White City (as well as on many other tracks) and he was a tough competitor but dirty I'm not so sure...although he and Steve Gresham had some "interesting" encounters but so did many with Gresham!

...or indeed English Team Managers during the seventies and eighties. Whether it was Len Silver, John Berry, Eric Boocock or Ian Thomas the make-up of English teams did, on occasions, show some bias between Northern and Southern based riders.

To be fair to John Berry he didn't actually refer to the terms "over" or "under" rated just an assessment based upon his personal opinion and/or observations. We've all got our personal views and opinions based upon watching riders as this particular thread is demonstrating and is of particular interest in my view.

Interesting analysis by John Berry in his "More Confessions" book where he had broken down a riders assessment on "equipment", "mental strength" and "ability" marking out of ten. For John Davis he wrote "You would have thought nobody could ever fault John's equipment. Certainly it was immaculate and was never short-changed. I just wonder, though, if a bit too much effort was spent on the bike looking the part rather than being the best performer. Still, eight and a half for that part of the formula. Strong mind? John could certainly talk a good race and did his homework and preparation well. He was also not worried about mixing it with anyone, although I am not sure he was quite up with the 'best' in the ruthless stakes. Eight points for that. Where John slips up in the ratings is in ability. To get as far as he did on such limited talent was incredible. For riding ability, I have to dip as low as five points I am afraid". Fair assessment I thought.

I often saw him at Smallmead in 1975 during a transitional season after his complicated move from Oxford and he was certainly "on fire" at the season's end "Geoff Curtis Memorial Meeting" when together with Dag Lovaas and Tommy Jansson ended up with 14 points and he won a three man run-off against the odds.

Great race...think that Bobby was to blame but a 50/50 split in my view!

Interestingly (averages aside) when John was interviewed some years ago he candidly admitted that "I didn't really get my whole act together until the last eight or ten years of my career, from 1984 onwards, when I became a better all round rider...British speedway never saw the best of me - I always went better on the big, fast continental tracks where the promoters and the people made me feel more appreciated." He felt that he probably "under-achieved as an individual in England but definately not abroad". In fact the whole interview showed John as a very articulate and thought provoking person. John Berry also went on record to suggest that "John was never going to be in the very top bracket, but he would always be there or therabouts and on his day was capable of surprising anyone". To re-iterate I saw John ride during his formative years at Cowley. First in the second halves progressing to full team opportunties during 1973 (as a replacement for Eddie Reeves) and moving up full time in 1974. It was clear that his biggest attribute was his gating and he surprised a few well known names during those times but he was inconsistant. It wasn't until he moved to Reading when his gating prowess became more reliable and his average took a steep learning curve to demonstrate that fact however his ability to pass was always questionable and something that he never really conquered which is why I never really rated him...but then there were/are many riders who suffer with the same attribute.

What I meant by back up was that he was often a supporting player (albeit a good one) to a team's number one although he did top the averages once at Reading and a couple of times at Poole. Personally I never rated him but his longevity is beyond question. Interesting when John joined Wimbledon in 1984 Malcolm Simmons mentored him and attempted to eliminate his habit of looking over his shoulder when in front which often left him vulnerable to the likes of Gordon Kennett especially!

Surprised that you have nominated the Cradley "United" jacket (1973 - 76)?

I'd agree Sid however he was good back up to the likes of Andersson, Schwartz, Jessup, Michanek etc. I obviously saw a lot of him during his formative years riding for the "Rebels" and was always regarded as a gater...but when he did he lowered a few scalps. I seem to remember that in 1974 he beat Briggo at both Wimbledon and Oxford when he out gated him...unfortunately he would often then run a last! He became more consistant when he left Cowley but was never the all round rider like some.

Must admit I'm looking forward to the result of the poll...just needs some more input.

Should have known that one! McKinlay, Harrfeldt and Hunter - West Ham 1965 & 66.

No Sunderland "Stars" White Knight? I rather liked the 1972 version...I guess an adaptation of the football team with its red and white stripes and star incorprated?

Davis, Andersson and Schwartz at Reading (1980) Kennett, Moran, Preston at Eastbourne (1982)

Yes Oxford had a change of image in 1972 with Dave Lanning at the helm and the nickname followed the team to White City.

Don't encourage the statisticians on here Sid!

Good question...and at the risk of stirring up a hornet's nest I guess the Confederate Flag would raise issues now...back in 1972 as a kid it looked so good and I personally never looked beyond the image. It was part of the Cowboys 'n' Indians culture that my generation grew up with watching westerns and dressing up!

Great images!

1= White City (1976 Away Option - Red) & Oxford (1972) 3. Belle Vue (1972) 4. Wembley (1971) 5. West Ham (1971) 6. Wimbledon (1976) 7. Poole (1972) 8. Exeter (1976) 9. Wolves (1976) 10. Ipswich (1976) Worse...Newport (1973 - 75)!

If memory serves it was a seperate incident to Bert's...recall an article in "Backtrack" some years back now. It's wll known that Eide had issues paying the toll when crossing the Severn Bridge when he ride for Newport. Apparently he was rather mean when it came to money although Bob Radford did talk about his generosity when he and some riders were house guests of Reidar.

Emblem of a "Budgie" Sid?

Also in 1972 & !973 Sid. A heat leader trio of Wilson, Boulger & Jessup.

Reidar was a tough nut (tragically died with swine fever (?) when he became a pig farmer) and recall Dag Lovass saying that Eide had no hesitation in taking him out ruthlessly on one occasion. Bert Harkins talks of a similar incident with Eide threatening to "kill him" but Bert was blameless and apparently Ronnie Moore sorted him out.

I forgot about West Ham and Wembley...two very iconic race jackets. Escaped my mind as they had both ceased to run by the time I attended speedway.