BOBBATH
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Everything posted by BOBBATH
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A scary thought is that there is probably no one who saw Tom ride still alive today!!!
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When the 65 season started I foloowed avidly every match report in the Star. I recall Long Eaton starting off the season very well e.g. as you say beating Halifax at Halifax, I think they had another upset away win early on (Edinburgh perhaps?) and at that point looked like contenders-then they had a truly dreadful run of injuries- Wilson, also maybe Cresp and finished at the bottom of the league (I think). As we all say -great days and 1965 was a superb season- I even used to hitch hike to get to away tracks-not sure you can do that safely nowadays -or am I just speaking from my more timid old (Hold on -mature) age!!!
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Derrickn mentioned in his post Rim Malkaitis, that's a name I haven't thought of in years. I recall him riding for Long Eaton in 1965 (the greatest year)-hopefully still with us-does anybody know.
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The only survivor of the 1950 World Final and he wasn't even the youngest rider in the meeting. Can somebody find out what he's drinking so I can order a case for myself!!!!
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Thanx Chunky- I always think of Gavy along with Bob Jameson and Bert Kingston- I think they are both still with us- Bob is around 81 now.
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I recall Dennis very well and sad to hear this. Great guy. One question after Gavy retired as a rider did he stay in England for a few years before finally returning to Aussia?
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I was there in 1965 and remeber it well-including the fact that the meeting was rained off after about 6 heats!!!
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I liked it better when teams had jackets without advertising e.g. in 1964 Newport with black and amber quarters, Middlesbrough with red and white quarters and as I recall Hackney with red and blue quarters and a gold diagonal stripe. I never liked their bue and white checkered jacket with a hawk on it-too fussy for me!!! Also riders with black leathers other than Broady and Nigel Boocock of course. Life was simpler. Me and my mate would have a pint of beer at the Someron Park bar -Whitbread Trophy as I remember -what happened to that brand for God's sake. On another subject-big thanx to Chunky for keeping up to date the oldest World Finalist List- much appreciated mate
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Sorry to read about this. I recall Billy in the first year of BL (1965) I seem to recall he rode for Sheffield Tigers in that great speedway year. A nice and approachable guy.
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Thanks again Chunky-great update
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Rune has also passed away-great rider.
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With Peo and P.T. Svensson gone , most of the final 16 move up 2 places - it seems Doug Davies and Sverre Harrfeldt are now on the oldest 16 list -while we also have 2 new reserves at 17 and 18. Thanks for the update Jonas.
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Les Owen - muscles - came to a sad end!
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Yup I forgot about Arne Pander, saw him when he was n Oxford rider in 1965.
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Before I left the UK in 1968-the only Dane was Ole Olsen riding for Newcastle-what a champ he became. Later when I came back to Englnd on vacation I saw Erik Gunderson at Cradley. How would forumlanders rank Erik v. Hans Nielsen-.a tough call I know>>
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I agree andout-the fans at Costa Mesa are really close to the track and the racing is exciting indeed
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I got to Costa Mesa, but never got to New Cross- how did they compare to each other in length and width?
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This comes under the heading "bobbath get a life"-actually it follows on from the Norman Hunter thread because he had a beard in 1963. I also came up with : James Bond, Tommy Sweetman, Reg Reeves, George Major, Jimmy Squibb-there must be others but I can't remember.!! BTW re the West Ham memories youtube video , John Chaplin came up with many incisive comments and was extensively interviewed.
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Full face helmets came after my time -left UK in 68- I certainly well recall the use of "flickers" and seeing riders use them sometimes a few times in a heat.
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Have just watched "West Ham Memories Parts 1 and 2" on youtube- I think it was originally a video you purchased but now on youtube.Interviews on Part One included Johnnie Hoskins and also Reg Fearman, Len Silver,Brian Crutcher. On Part 2 Tony Clarke was interviewed plus Norman Hunter- the third and often overlooked heat leader of the wonderul Hammers side of 1965. I was very interested in Normans' comments. He was just reaching his peak (in my view) after he left WH to become number 1 at Wolves(was it 68 or 69)-then he had his terrible accident. I reckon he could have made a World Final-does anyone in forumland know what was the closest he came to qualifying for a WF. Also Norm the Storm was one of the guys who went straight from the PL to the NL-when the PL rode "black". I'm trying to think of some others who did that Simmo for sure, perhaps David Crane??. Were there others also- , I can't really recall who else rode for Hackney in 1963 or other tracks who then went NL in 1964. BTW watching this youtube video reminded me of all we've lost-riders you could have a beer with after the meeting,amazing characters and showmen!! I wish we could go back to 1964 and 1965. Folks today don't know what they are missing
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Well done Chunky- I reckon my memory is failing me!! I'd forgotten those!!
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I think you are right Split- Norman was the big star in the PL that year- not sure he was in the PLRC Final that year though-anybody know??
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The one good thing I did was keep all my programs right from the start in 1964. I even had them shipped over to Canada when I left the UK
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Thanks for your reply BL65-as usual from you I learned something new- also Norbold re Norm's best WF attempt- I'm a bit surprised he never got closer to the big night. Lots of old speedway on youtube now - I have just started watching the history of Ipswich which looks good (about 2 hours long)
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It's a great video- just fyi Reg Fearman had his 90th birthday on April 26th- hopefully will have many more