TonyMac 720 Posted April 14, 2009 ENGLAND - SPECIAL REPORT No, this is not another grim examination of the current global economic recession . . . we’re talking England’s miserable standing in world speedway. It’s 20 years since England last won the World Cup. As another new manager takes charge, we conduct a special report into what went wrong through the eyes of three former national team managers and look back on an era when Britain was a truly great speedway nation. Read the hard-hitting, no-nonsense views of JOHN BERRY, who guided the Lions to World Cup glory in 1977, and also those of IAN THOMAS and ERIC BOOCOCK, who worked together to mastermind the World Championship grand slam in 1980. All three men are renowned for their outspoken opinions and they are here for all to read, including the question of whether Scott Nicholls ¬- or any other GP rider ¬- should be considered for the national team having decided to skip the Elite League. Berry says: “With all due respect to Rob Lyon, his new position might well carry some kudos and give the media something to write about, but the role will be entirely incidental until, and unless, the promoters collectively decide on a radical rethink on how the sport is run in the UK. “Spending time and money on training camps and assistants and matching suits is all well and good, but this is just expensive window-dressing at a time when the sport is fighting for survival at domestic level.” Thomas says: “I have to say I think that too many riders these days are more concerned about doing well on the Grand Prix circuit than anything else. They don’t take the World Cup as seriously as our blokes did in the 70s and 80s. It was our good fortune to have so many lads who really WANTED to ride for England.” And his fellow Yorkshireman ‘Booey’ added: “Kenny Carter’s attitude was ‘stuff everyone else’, including his team-mates! He wanted to do his best for the team and three points was better than two. He was 100 per cent British and always wanted to get one over the foreigners. We could do with half a dozen like him now.” As usual, we’ve also got some compelling, new major interviews... TREVOR HEDGE Following our in-depth interview in the latest issue of Classic Speedway magazine, we met up with ‘Hedgey’ to reflect on the second half of his racing career ¬- with Wimbledon, King’s Lynn and finally Hackney. Trevor admits his disappointment at being denied a richly-deserved testimonial after 10 full seasons at Plough Lane, recalls the pain of his one and only World Final appearance and explains why he is no longer the UK’s main GM agent. RICHARD GREER It’s not easy keeping pace with the multi-functional Peterborough legend, but we spent time with ‘King Richard’ to look back on his eventful career, which also embraced spells with Oxford, White City and Birmingham. ROBERT HOLLINGWORTH He’s been riding a speedway bike for 36 years and, astonishingly, he continues to do so. Backtrack meets a Boston legend who rode for pride rather than glory . . . IPSWICH HEROES John Berry, the man who made the Witches one of the greatest teams in British League history, selects his Top 20 heroes from the period 1970-90. See who did and who didn’t make it. SHEFFIELD in PICTURES Looking back at some of the major names and fans favourites who wore the Tigers¹ racejacket during the 70s and 80s, including Bob Valentine, Doug Wyer, Reg Wilson and Shawn Moran. Plus . . . Rod Haynes’ column (including his thoughts on past visits to Hull and Halifax), Q&As with Mark Chessell and announcer Graham Hambly, your letters and another huge helping of speedway nostalgia. To subscribe now for £17.50 per year (6 issues) in the UK, visit our website: http://www.retro-speedway.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robbie B 262 Posted April 14, 2009 Got my issue last Friday, excellent read again Tony. Many thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brandon 134 Posted April 27, 2009 (edited) ENGLAND - SPECIAL REPORT No, this is not another grim examination of the current global economic recession . . . we’re talking England’s miserable standing in world speedway. It’s 20 years since England last won the World Cup. As another new manager takes charge, we conduct a special report into what went wrong through the eyes of three former national team managers and look back on an era when Britain was a truly great speedway nation. Read the hard-hitting, no-nonsense views of JOHN BERRY, who guided the Lions to World Cup glory in 1977, and also those of IAN THOMAS and ERIC BOOCOCK, who worked together to mastermind the World Championship grand slam in 1980. All three men are renowned for their outspoken opinions and they are here for all to read, including the question of whether Scott Nicholls ¬- or any other GP rider ¬- should be considered for the national team having decided to skip the Elite League. Berry says: “With all due respect to Rob Lyon, his new position might well carry some kudos and give the media something to write about, but the role will be entirely incidental until, and unless, the promoters collectively decide on a radical rethink on how the sport is run in the UK. “Spending time and money on training camps and assistants and matching suits is all well and good, but this is just expensive window-dressing at a time when the sport is fighting for survival at domestic level.” Thomas says: “I have to say I think that too many riders these days are more concerned about doing well on the Grand Prix circuit than anything else. They don’t take the World Cup as seriously as our blokes did in the 70s and 80s. It was our good fortune to have so many lads who really WANTED to ride for England[.” And his fellow Yorkshireman ‘Booey’ added: “Kenny Carter’s attitude was ‘stuff everyone else’, including his team-mates! He wanted to do his best for the team and three points was better than two. He was 100 per cent British and always wanted to get one over the foreigners. We could do with half a dozen like him now.” Im sure its a good read. But how is it you use England, Britain and the UK in one post. Which one is it? Edited April 27, 2009 by Brandon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatface 2,552 Posted April 30, 2009 Erm...possibly because they are being quoted?! Anyway...the sport is organised UK-wide (just cos there isn't a NI-based team doesn't mean the door is closed), Ian Thomas and Eric Boocock managed "England" and Kenny Carter felt "British". Where's the problem? Also, not sure if John Berry deserves much credit for "guiding" England to World Cup success in 1977. At that time the Poles were mechanically not at the races, the Swedes were too old, the Danes were too young, the Yanks didn't even have a team and the Kiwis and Aussies had barely any recognised international riders beyond their top 1 or 2. My granny could have managed Lee, PC, Jessup and Simmons to World Cup gold in 1977. I give much more kudos to Thomas and Boocock for their 1980 Grand Slam, when the Yanks and Danes were pretty tough opposition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brandon 134 Posted May 2, 2009 Erm...possibly because they are being quoted?! Anyway...the sport is organised UK-wide (just cos there isn't a NI-based team doesn't mean the door is closed), Ian Thomas and Eric Boocock managed "England" and Kenny Carter felt "British". Where's the problem? Also, not sure if John Berry deserves much credit for "guiding" England to World Cup success in 1977. At that time the Poles were mechanically not at the races, the Swedes were too old, the Danes were too young, the Yanks didn't even have a team and the Kiwis and Aussies had barely any recognised international riders beyond their top 1 or 2. My granny could have managed Lee, PC, Jessup and Simmons to World Cup gold in 1977. I give much more kudos to Thomas and Boocock for their 1980 Grand Slam, when the Yanks and Danes were pretty tough opposition. Two erms from me. Erm 1. The second paragraph is not a quote and say's England and Britain within the same sentence? Erm 2. Never said there was a problem, just asked the question? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spin king 1,921 Posted May 3, 2009 ENGLAND - SPECIAL REPORT No, this is not another grim examination of the current global economic recession . . . we’re talking England’s miserable standing in world speedway. It’s 20 years since England last won the World Cup. As another new manager takes charge, we conduct a special report into what went wrong through the eyes of three former national team managers and look back on an era when Britain was a truly great speedway nation. Read the hard-hitting, no-nonsense views of JOHN BERRY, who guided the Lions to World Cup glory in 1977, and also those of IAN THOMAS and ERIC BOOCOCK, who worked together to mastermind the World Championship grand slam in 1980. All three men are renowned for their outspoken opinions and they are here for all to read, including the question of whether Scott Nicholls ¬- or any other GP rider ¬- should be considered for the national team having decided to skip the Elite League. Berry says: “With all due respect to Rob Lyon, his new position might well carry some kudos and give the media something to write about, but the role will be entirely incidental until, and unless, the promoters collectively decide on a radical rethink on how the sport is run in the UK. “Spending time and money on training camps and assistants and matching suits is all well and good, but this is just expensive window-dressing at a time when the sport is fighting for survival at domestic level.” Thomas says: “I have to say I think that too many riders these days are more concerned about doing well on the Grand Prix circuit than anything else. They don’t take the World Cup as seriously as our blokes did in the 70s and 80s. It was our good fortune to have so many lads who really WANTED to ride for England.” And his fellow Yorkshireman ‘Booey’ added: “Kenny Carter’s attitude was ‘stuff everyone else’, including his team-mates! He wanted to do his best for the team and three points was better than two. He was 100 per cent British and always wanted to get one over the foreigners. We could do with half a dozen like him now.” As usual, we’ve also got some compelling, new major interviews... TREVOR HEDGE Following our in-depth interview in the latest issue of Classic Speedway magazine, we met up with ‘Hedgey’ to reflect on the second half of his racing career ¬- with Wimbledon, King’s Lynn and finally Hackney. Trevor admits his disappointment at being denied a richly-deserved testimonial after 10 full seasons at Plough Lane, recalls the pain of his one and only World Final appearance and explains why he is no longer the UK’s main GM agent. RICHARD GREER It’s not easy keeping pace with the multi-functional Peterborough legend, but we spent time with ‘King Richard’ to look back on his eventful career, which also embraced spells with Oxford, White City and Birmingham. ROBERT HOLLINGWORTH He’s been riding a speedway bike for 36 years and, astonishingly, he continues to do so. Backtrack meets a Boston legend who rode for pride rather than glory . . . IPSWICH HEROES John Berry, the man who made the Witches one of the greatest teams in British League history, selects his Top 20 heroes from the period 1970-90. See who did and who didn’t make it. SHEFFIELD in PICTURES Looking back at some of the major names and fans favourites who wore the Tigers¹ racejacket during the 70s and 80s, including Bob Valentine, Doug Wyer, Reg Wilson and Shawn Moran. Plus . . . Rod Haynes’ column (including his thoughts on past visits to Hull and Halifax), Q&As with Mark Chessell and announcer Graham Hambly, your letters and another huge helping of speedway nostalgia. To subscribe now for £17.50 per year (6 issues) in the UK, visit our website: http://www.retro-speedway.com Another fine read again TMC, just wish it was monthly is there any chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shazzybird 10 Posted May 6, 2009 Loving it loving it loving it ......... and the other magazine I ordered with it turned it over and there was the Rye House "INFRADEX" Rockets staring at me Excellent TMC another good issue xxxx Ooooooo monthly Spinking .............. now there's a thought Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
