BOBBATH

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.

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.

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

Well done Chunky- I reckon my memory is failing me!! I'd forgotten those!!

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??

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

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)

It's a great video- just fyi Reg Fearman had his 90th birthday on April 26th- hopefully will have many more

This is for people of a certain age. Huck Fynn (I don't remember him either) is 101 this month. Reg Fearman and his wife are part of the celebration. Seriously does anyone recall Huck- I don't think even Norbold or John Hyam can recall seeing him ride. Anyway Huck is still in fine form and still driving his car. An example to us all.

Thanks Chunky- a most interesting post, I certainly learned some history there. Cheers

Yeah well, I don't think the Krays and Richardsons ever bothered the civilians walking down the street-sort of like the Mafia in NYC and Capone in Chicago. I lived in Illinois 1n 1968-70 and I'm old enough to remember Mayor Daly in Chicago-a hell of a. lot safer than today.

Sure Norman, it was a genuine question on my part. On my last visit to London- I walked around Plaistow and did wonder where the old East End white cockneys had gone? So I wondered if the same thing applied down the Old Kent Road. Before anybody raises the old Racist card, I was just wondering if the same changes had occurred around OKR. Also it seems from what we read here that there is a lot more petty and gang crime in areas of the old East End and wondering whether the same applied there. Just a request for knowledge -no hidden motives, but it seems that things have become so divisive you can't ask a question without raising the spectre of being questioned by the Political Correctness brigade (not that I am suggesting you are part of that movement Norman).

Great photos of a track I sadly never got to visit. Is the area shown around the Old Kent road atough area these days-streetcrime etc.? Is it still a white working class area ?

Ove Fundin, Bjorn Knutsson, Bengt Jansson, Olle Nygren, Anders Michanek, in that order .

Sad news from Oz, Bluey Scott has passed- some of us will well remeber Bluey from the early and mid sixties- Long Eaton, Middlesbrough etc. R.I.P. Bluey

Thanks Beirao- keep up the good work. It's much ppreciated

Hi Chunky I posted my thanks in the wrong place-thanks again for taking the trouble to do this list

Thanks Chunky-great list, must have taken a lot of work. It corrected some of my mistakes- I didn't even realise Reg Luckhurst had made the top 16. Thanks greatly again mate.

Sorry to read this.Af ter thedemise of Capn'Jim and Dick Bradley- I reckon that means Gote Nordin and Bob Andrews join the last 16. RIP Capn' Jim

Died very young , I think he may also have ridden for Newcastle.

Great comments and a mention of Graham Coombes also. I remember Graham at several tracks-is he still with us. I think he may have ridden for CH too?

I just wish I could have been there

Thanks Beirao-your comments also remind me of Bluey. I'll look forward to reading Classic Speedway Memories online-and perhaps this willintroduce him more fully to other Forumlanders.

Thanx Frigbo, I should have remembered that Bluey rode for Glasgow in 1965-66. Born in 1929 at least he has a good innings.As some of you probably know "Bluey" is a name the Aussies use for someone with red hair.

Bluey Scott is not the same as Jack Scott ,El Addio. They are both as you say a rich part of speedway history though.