auntie doris

I was a fanatical fan at school, of football, cricket, speedway, then birds, booze, betting, and rock music, playing drums in a band, became a priorityspeedway was tedious for 30 years. Now love it, go to most Swindon meetings.

One of my fav places in UK, unhurried pace. Last time we stayed there went to speedway. Some of our fav walks are Sandown to Shanklin coastal path, the Sandown to monument stroll, Ryde to Puckpool. Will be doing West Wight walks next visit.

1963 New Cross 1964-67 Wimbledon West Am Ackney 1968-72 Swindon 1973-2003 went twice at Swindon 2004-5 Workington 2006-present Swindon and Cardiff most years...love it, miss it Fav years 63, 68, 69, 70, 04, 05, 07, 09, 12, 17, 19

First World Champ I saw was Ove Fundin 1963 World Final at Wembley. Peter Craven was also riding, his last final. Knutson was second, Briggo third.

Was there about 8000 there? Repeated highlights on tv. I think Amlet shared Tooting's ground last season when they were thrown out of Champion Hill temporarily.

Can remember Tooting knocking Swindon out of FA Cup in 70s. My cousin lived in a flat at Figges Marsh overlooking Sandy Lane. Where do they play now? Always big rivals of The Amlet.

And there was Horspath. Hoping to see Dulwich at Oxford, haven't seen that game for 53 years!

New ground for City now, in Marston by bypass. Drove past last week.

Be good to see a few non- league posters on the General Discussions Football thread. Can remember watching east London Walthamstow, Leytonstone, Ilford, Barking, Clapton, at Dulwich Hamlet/Casuals in SE22. The Amlet shared with Corinthian Casuals, both played in pink, crowds of around 100-200. In the 60s the Isthmian League had teams such as Enfield,Hendon,Sutton,Wycombe, Kingstonian, Bromley, Maidstone, Wealdstone, St.Albans, Oxford City, Toot and Mitch, Woking, Hitchin. The Amlet were getting biggest crowds in National League South before lockdown hit, around 2000 average. New stadium approved. My dad played for Casuals at The Oval in early 50s, just before their defeat to Bishop Auckland at Wembley in 1956, crowd of 100000. The only cockney lad in a team of Oxbridge students, and still amateur.

Cirencester Town v Cinderford Town, a rainlashed El Glosico derby! Win for Ciren who go top.

When New Cross closed and PC was tragically killed in 1963, a bad year, we started following Knutson at Wet Spam. Great rider. Perhaps Ove was early 60s master, Briggo mid 60s, Mauger late 60s.

I used a pole vault

Can remember Bernie riding for Sweden v Great Britain 1968 at Swindon. Officially 12000 there, but I was one of thousands that climbed in! Britain won that third test, home riders Ashby 15, Broady 14, Jansson 15, Michanek 14 for the Swedes. Mauger and Fundin poor scoring that night, no points for Bernie. Sweden won series 2-1. Michanek was underrated.

If I had to pick one, Ove would just pip Ivan. Hans and Briggo right up there as best I've seen.

R.I.P. Bernie