BOBBATH

I saw Bluey race a couple of times at Somerton Park in the old PL in 1964- he was the Middlesbrough Bears Captain and top scored with 9 points against the Wasps the time I saw him. I also him turn out for an "official test match" Britain v. Overseas in the same year.Bluey was a well known nice guy, very approachable for the fansand often hosted his old speedway comrades when they visited Oz after they all retired. Stayed in touch with people like Howard Cole and Reg Fearman right until the end of his life.

Pie and Mash is an excellent book, I have loaned it to a number of my Canadian mates who find the depiction of life inearly post war Britain fascinating-ration books etc. Also reading it made me wish even more that I could have seen Speedway at New Cross.

I always recall Gordon from the 1965 British Final at West Ham, he almost made it to the World Final that year. He had a good British semi-final at Poole that year also-any forumlanders besides me and Norbold at that 1965 British Final.

I don't know the answer , but did either (or both) Swindon and Bristol have a dog track betwen the speddway track and spectators??

Can i phone in from Canada??- the only speedway ones I can think of are Arena Essex and Romford though, or are Crayford and Walthamstow in Essex?? Sounds like a good program though Norbold

I got to thinking which of the British League stadiums of 1965 are still operating as speedway venues- I came up with three only- Poole, Sheffield and Newcastle, and I think maybe some of them had a couple of years when they closed. Before anybody tells me King's Lynn- as I recall they were running open meetings in 1965 and joined the BL in 1966. This is very depressing although I am not sure of the status of the Abbey Stadium. However did we get to this state where only 3 of the 18 are still speedway venues.

Barry Duke , I think he started out in 1967 or 1968. He sounds like a most interesting guy-wish I could have a chat with him, some great comments of his view on speedway. He would be a good candidate for Lee Ashby's interviews . BTW I am sorry Martin Ashby is having some health problems and to learn that Hitchy is 80- my mind boggles. God bless 'em all.

The thing I remember bout the Scottish Open was Bill Landels winning it against all the odds- was it 1965 or 66. I think Bill lives in Australia now.

I've been dreading the next deletion from our oldest surviving World Finalist list for quite a while. I am sorry to say that day has come -the great gentleman Dick Bradley has passed away just before his 98th birthday- he was #2 on the list behind Arthur. R.I.P Dick

I put my 1965 memory of the Abbey on Years Gone By-evidently put it in the wrong place as the actress said to the bishop!!

OK OK guys after the many humorous postings of speedway in countries or cities it never occurred- let's get back to brass tacks here. Swindon in 1965 was the first ex NL track I had visited. Supporters coach from Newport to see the Wasps. A typical 1965 duel, the ex NL Robins had three unbeatable heat leaders - Briggo, Broadbanks, Ashby, but a long "tail"- their best second strings were Bob Kilby with 6 and Peter Sampson with 4. Newport on the other hand had heat leaders who couldn't compete ,but second strings who were more sold Jackie Biggs with 9, Alby Golden with 8 and Peter Vandenberg with 8-they were our heat leaders. Anyway Swindon won 48-30 After the meeting we met various Robins supporters in the bar- all nice people and with more speedway knowledge than we had. I had a chat with Alby Golden in the bar after-wot a gent (RIP) and he said that our top PL riders could never compete with the ex NL heat leaders. I mention all this because it was a wonderful evening- a big crowd. Times gone by- I wish they could come back- don't we all......... I still have the program of the meeting.!!

Thanks Chunky, I just took a look and realise my post here was redundant-apologies all round. I will check their first from now on. Cheers mate

They wore chocolate coloured leathers

OH FFS!!

You racist bastard you!! How dare you say that a team was called gorillas!!!!!!!!!!

Thought I'd get to this before John Hyam FFS

Yea, I think so Chunks, so now I will not add my planned topics on speedway in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Honduras , Nicaragua and many others who had thriving speedway leagues. However I will be doing in depth research (is there any other sort) on many other countries. WTF is going on here...

Does John really exist??

Does a guy called Keith Forun actually exist???

Despite all that I nevertheless enjoyed John's article on Dave Collins- but who is Keith Forun FFS??

Who he??, Who is Keith Forun and what is it ok for him to use??

Blimey wot a list and thanx Chunky. One question, was Tony Lomas a reserve- did he ride in a race or was he dnr. Which World Final was he in? I am scared to see how many on that list are younger than me- I would fit in just behind Jimmy McMillan. Yikes!!

Is that going to be at Auburn NY , Roger???

Any old Bradford fans remember Dick, he recently passed away in Australia.

I should have mentioned Dick was 96- another long lived speedster- it must have been due to breathing in all that Castrol R!!