chunky 6,086 Posted March 23, 2008 Seeing the thread on Wayne Briggs prompted me to start this. Who do you think could have gone on to much greater things had it not been for injury. I'm not talking about career-ending tragedies, more along the lines of unlucky riders who often suffered niggling little injuries, enough hurt one's confidence, or maybe a broken limb or two at the wrong time, from which they didn't really seem to recover. Wayne Briggs is a prime example, particularly with regard to his wrist injuries. Another would be Ronnie Genz. Although his injuries were often a little more serious, he still bounced back reasonably well. However, what would he have achieved had he stayed relatively injury free? Even though he went on to enjoy some very successful international results toward the end of his career, I often wonder how good Toni Kasper might have been without that broken leg? Even Kevin Jolly, I feel, was never quite the rider he was before breaking his leg. What do you think??? Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave67 15 Posted March 23, 2008 Andy Hackett Cracking little racer, who always appeared on the brink of stepping up from quality reserve to the team proper when some form injury would knock him back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted March 23, 2008 To me the three champions of this thread must be 1)Torbjorn Harrysson-should have been World Champion 2) Arne Pander 3)Sverre Harrfeldt-I know these guys had great careers but I reckon they would have done even more-and while I'm on the subject -farther back -what about Graham Warren?? Yet again Norman Hunter who I thought was just about to achieve his potential in 1969.Thanx for making me think of this my Illinois friend!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted March 23, 2008 I understand that Dave Kennett was a massive prospect before an injury early-ish in his career set him back. He was, in the time I watched him ride (for Hackney and winning the BL title with White City ), a more than useful middle-order rider in the top division; but I believe a lot more had once been predicted for him.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Hannibal Thomas 0 Posted March 23, 2008 Malcolm Hogg, looked destined for greatness racing alongside Nicki Pederson - and look what Nicki learned from racing alongside Malcolm?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Railway End 0 Posted March 23, 2008 Tim Bungay broke both legs’ riding for Newport at Exeter in 1966 He did ride again but I don’t think he fulfilled his early promise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,086 Posted March 23, 2008 (edited) To me the three champions of this thread must be 1)Torbjorn Harrysson-should have been World Champion 2) Arne Pander 3)Sverre Harrfeldt-I know these guys had great careers but I reckon they would have done even more-and while I'm on the subject -farther back -what about Graham Warren?? Yet again Norman Hunter who I thought was just about to achieve his potential in 1969.Thanx for making me think of this my Illinois friend!! See, already we've had some interesting replies... Arne Pander is a definite, although I'm not sure that injury really affected Sverre's career that much before he had really passed his peak. He was still a great rider, but I think that any real potential had gone. I was at West Ham when he broke his arm, and he never really recovered from that. I was also at Wembley when Toby broke his leg. The thing is, did he ever really make a go of it after that? I considered that as one of those possibly career-ending injuries. It did take Norman a long time to recover, and it's true, he was going great guns in 1969, and never really recaptured that form. Excellent choices, Bobbath. Steve Edited March 23, 2008 by chunky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wessex Wanderer 148 Posted March 23, 2008 Sverre Harrfeldt definitely. Also: Tony George, Steve Taylor, Alan Emmett, Rob Lightfoot, Mac Woolford - all with excellent starts to careers ended much too early by injury. Sadly there must be a lot more in this category. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,086 Posted March 23, 2008 Andy Galvin. ...and while we're on the subject, what about Paul Whittaker? Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,086 Posted March 23, 2008 Sverre Harrfeldt definitely. Also: Tony George, Steve Taylor, Alan Emmett, Rob Lightfoot, Mac Woolford - all with excellent starts to careers ended much too early by injury. Sadly there must be a lot more in this category. Yep, Rob Lightfoot was another than sprang to mind. More great choices. Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyMac 720 Posted March 23, 2008 I'm not sure that injury really affected Sverre's career that much before he had really passed his peak. He was still a great rider, but I think that any real potential had gone. I was at West Ham when he broke his arm, and he never really recovered from that. Steve Steve, the injury that really did for Sverre was the badly broken thigh he suffered in the 1968 European Final in Poland. Speaking recently to Simmo (Sverre's former team-mate from West Ham), Malc reckons Harrfeldt would have gone on to be world champion but for that bad smash in Poland. We'll have to interview 'Hearthrob' soon to find out his view, though. Dave Kennett's career suffered a serious setback the night (April 1973) he and Hackney team-mate Allan Emmett piled into the fence on the pits turn at Waterden Road, while leading Leicester's Ray Wilson. Although that incident affected Emmett even worse. and he was probably more talented than Dave. Kennett always struggled from the gate in top flight racing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted March 24, 2008 Was interested to see the name Tony George-I saw him ride as ,I think ,reserve for Exeter at Swindon in BL in 1968-the last meeting I saw at Swindon before I emigrated.He looked really promising-didn't he then ride for Plymouth in Div 2-sort of lost track of him after that-didn't even know he had an accident-when was that then?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted March 24, 2008 Do you think Les Owen of Coventry figures in this list-"Muscles "was doing well in 62-63 then he had a terrible smash up.Wondered if this in fact affected him in later life and contributed to his tragic death. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,086 Posted March 24, 2008 (edited) Steve, the injury that really did for Sverre was the badly broken thigh he suffered in the 1968 European Final in Poland. Speaking recently to Simmo (Sverre's former team-mate from West Ham), Malc reckons Harrfeldt would have gone on to be world champion but for that bad smash in Poland. I do realise that, Tony, and obviously, Simmo probably knew more than we did! I wasn't actually saying that it was only the arm injury that affected him, but at that point - and after what he had been through already - that pretty much seemed to be the end of Sverre. My dad was actually good friends with Sverre, and helped him out quite a bit. Although that incident affected Emmett even worse. and he was probably more talented than Dave. Kennett always struggled from the gate in top flight racing. I do agree with your assessment of Alan Emmett. Steve Edited March 24, 2008 by chunky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
