TonyMac 720 Posted June 17, 2007 We're going to present a 'Great Entertainers' feature in Backtrack and I wondered if anyone would agree or disagree with the following list, or if you have any others worthy of inclusion. Remember, we are initially considering a BRITISH LEAGUE (first division) list (so no National League names, please, at this stage)and the riders need not be star names. They are essentially riders you could not take your eyes off while they were on track; riders who always entertained with their efforts - crowd-pleasers.... Finally, they must fit into the Backtrack era timescale of 1970-1990. I know it will spark debate and some of you will disagree with these initial choices, but see what you think of this list of 20, in no particular order: GREAT ENTERTAINERS (BL) Barry Thomas Andy Smith Chris Morton Peter Collins Kelly Moran Roman Matousek John Cook Jan O Pedersen Zenon Plech Phil Collins Zdenek Kudrna Vaclav Verner Alan Mogridge Preben Eriksen Christer Lofqvist Kenny Carter Andrew Silver Gary Guglielmi Steve Gresham Sean Wilson Arnie Haley Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
salty 2,200 Posted June 17, 2007 "In no particular order"..... but Barry Thomas is top of the list!!!!!! I am assuming guys like Preben Eriksen and Steve Gresham are on the list as much for their bad guy antics as anything else. I would consider Garry Middleton, Chris Julian and Kelvin Mullarkey for their personalities on the track and I don't know how you can pick Kelly and not Shawn, he was just as exciting on a bike. Soren Sjosten almost had the word swashbuckling attached to him and was apparently a character off track as well. Also what about Bruce Penhall? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spin king 1,918 Posted June 18, 2007 Have to agree with the fact I too cannot understand how you could miss Shawn Moran of the list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sandman 0 Posted June 18, 2007 Have to agree with the fact I too cannot understand how you could miss Shawn Moran of the list. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> or Mitch Shirra for his pugilistic skills.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frigbo 518 Posted June 18, 2007 We're going to present a 'Great Entertainers' feature in Backtrack and I wondered if anyone would agree or disagree with the following list, or if you have any others worthy of inclusion. Remember, we are initially considering a BRITISH LEAGUE (first division) list (so no National League names, please, at this stage)and the riders need not be star names. They are essentially riders you could not take your eyes off while they were on track; riders who always entertained with their efforts - crowd-pleasers.... Finally, they must fit into the Backtrack era timescale of 1970-1990. I know it will spark debate and some of you will disagree with these initial choices, but see what you think of this list of 20, in no particular order: GREAT ENTERTAINERS (BL) Barry Thomas Andy Smith Chris Morton Peter Collins Kelly Moran Roman Matousek John Cook Jan O Pedersen Zenon Plech Phil Collins Zdenek Kudrna Vaclav Verner Alan Mogridge Preben Eriksen Christer Lofqvist Kenny Carter Andrew Silver Gary Guglielmi Steve Gresham Sean Wilson Arnie Haley <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Shawn McConnell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Hannibal Thomas 0 Posted June 18, 2007 Reg Wilson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spin king 1,918 Posted June 18, 2007 Reg Wilson <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Reg was a good rider, but I would not put him into one of the top entertainers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spin king 1,918 Posted June 18, 2007 Reg Wilson <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Reg was a good rider, but I would not put him inmto one of the top entertainers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevehone 3,425 Posted June 19, 2007 Kelvin Tatum ... 1983 (or was it '84?) debut season for Wimbledon. in at reserve in the top league, fast bikes, not a lot of control (or that's how it looked!!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyMac 720 Posted June 19, 2007 Kelvin Tatum ... 1983 (or was it '84?) debut season for Wimbledon. in at reserve in the top league, fast bikes, not a lot of control (or that's how it looked!!) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Steve, Fair shout re. Kelvin in '83, but that was purely because he was a raw novice. He soon settled down. What I'm really looking for are riders who were spectacular and/or entertaining - on a bike – THROUGHOUT their career, or certainly during their peak years. Preben Eriksen is not what you would call spectacular, but his robust (to be kind) style made him entertaining because you daren't take your eyes off him. I suppose leaving out Shawn Moran was designed to provoke a reaction - and it worked! Would 'older' Sheffield fans bear me out on Arnie Haley's worthiness? I didn't see that mijch of him. And is Peter Carr (Sheffield era) a possible contender? Shirra was steady on a bike, not spectacular, though I hear what you say about the boxing skill. Mitch has already been interviewed for the following issue of Backtrack (issue 22), not the one that will be out on June 30. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevehone 3,425 Posted June 19, 2007 What I'm really looking for are riders who were spectacular and/or entertaining - on a bike <{POST_SNAPBACK}> shame you only want BL riders for now ... Richard Green in the NL was one of the most entertaining riders out there think you're being very kind about Preben Eriksen ... that would take us back to Kelvin Tatum again and what Kelvin had to suffer thanks to Eriksen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff. 2 Posted June 19, 2007 shame you only want BL riders for now ... Richard Green in the NL was one of the most entertaining riders out there think you're being very kind about Preben Eriksen ... that would take us back to Kelvin Tatum again and what Kelvin had to suffer thanks to Eriksen <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Kenny Carter wouldn't have thought Eriksen entertaining either Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cliv Clav 60 Posted June 19, 2007 The Mighty MOGGO, Alan Mogridge! Never knew what would happen when Moggo was around, but you could guarantee it would ne entertaining! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star ghost 7 Posted June 19, 2007 (edited) Ian Tiddler Turner Mr Terry Betts Richard Hellsen Nigel Sparshott Bobby Garrard (Rye H but rode for Lynn also) Edited June 19, 2007 by star ghost Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mervjankefanclub 48 Posted June 19, 2007 (edited) being a glasgow fan from 1977 i never saw nuch bl action but shooey moran has always been a favourite of mine and cowboy cook although you did mention him and what about les and neil collins cant have pc and phil without a mention for those two think i will stick in bobby beaton and wee swervin mervyn janke aswell although i never saw him race for the dukes over to the halifax fans Edited June 19, 2007 by mervjankefanclub Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
