Oldest Surviving World Finalists

[norbold 7,099]

Ron Johnston has sadly just died. A great rider and such a friendly and helpful man. I contacted him several times over the years to ask for information or his personal memories. He was always very patient and helpful, spending a lot of time giving me full answers and also sent me some photographs. He will be very sadly missed.

[The White Knight 9,039]

R.I.P. + Ron.

[britmet 233]

I've just seen what looks like a comprehensive review of Henry Long's career on a South African speedway website and it gives Henry's date of birth as July 1927.

Just caught up with this topic.

HENRY LONG celebrated his 87th on Saturday, (dob 26.7.1927)

Still with impish humour over the phone, he had a few days in hospital earlier this month with a lung infection, but okay now. His mobility is a little dodgy, - the knees! (How many speedway rider who make it to this decade won't be?)

He has been good enough to pass over his collection of South African memorabilia (and some from his Belle Vue time,) which is in the process of being archived onto the Speedway-SA website,

.

He was, of course, a team-mate of Ron Johnston in the latter's early years at Belle Vue.

[mickthemuppet 976]

Is it quite incredible that how dangerous this sport of Speedway is that so many live to a grand old age

[Mike.Butler 601]

maybe they got used to 'having a fall' when young and it doesnt affect them so much in later years

[BOBBATH 466]

R.I.P. Ron

[ab742 0]

My grandfather, Fred Brand, will be 90 on Feb 3rd. Here is a link to our facebook page showing a picture of him taken this week with a 1949 speedway bike we've had restored & is displayed in our showroom, the same as he rode for Great Yarmouth, Norwich & Great Britain. He rode in the 1954 World Final.

https://www.facebook.com/whbrand/photos/pcb.705399159580965/705398296247718/?type=1&theater

[norbold 7,099]

I've met your grandfather a few times at the annual Norwich Vets Lunch. He's always very friendly and full of information and anecdotes. Happy Birthday, Fred.

[BOBBATH 466]

With all the changes since the last list-anybody able to figure out the current oldest 16(+2 reserves)

[tigerowl 630]

1. Cyril Roger - 93 - born 27.12.1921
2. Split Waterman - 91 (27.7.1923)
3. Arthur Payne - 90 (30.8.1924)
4. Dick Bradley - 90 (28.11.1924)
5. Fred Brand - 89 (3.2.1925)
6. Chum Taylor - 87 (4.4.1927)
7. Eric Boothroyd - 87 (26.4.1927)
8. Derick Close - 87 - (13.5.1927)
9. Geoff Mardon - 87 (24.11.1927)
10. Billy Bales - 85 (6.6.1929)
11. Olle Nygren - 85 (11.11.1929)
12. Rune Sormander - 85 (29.11.1929)
13. Jack Geran - 85 (10.12.1989)
14. Bryan Elliott - 84 (12.4.1930)
15. George White - 83 (24.5.1931)
16. Ian Williams - 83 (4.8.1931)

 

17. Per Tage Svensson 83 (16.10.1931)

18. Peo Soederman 82 (29.10.1932)

 

Not 100% sure the two Swedes are still with us but haven't heard any information to the contrary..

[The White Knight 9,039]

1. Cyril Roger - 93 - born 27.12.1921

2. Split Waterman - 91 (27.7.1923)

3. Arthur Payne - 90 (30.8.1924)

4. Dick Bradley - 90 (28.11.1924)

5. Fred Brand - 89 (3.2.1925)

6. Chum Taylor - 87 (4.4.1927)

7. Eric Boothroyd - 87 (26.4.1927)

8. Derick Close - 87 - (13.5.1927)

9. Geoff Mardon - 87 (24.11.1927)

10. Billy Bales - 85 (6.6.1929)

11. Olle Nygren - 85 (11.11.1929)

12. Rune Sormander - 85 (29.11.1929)

13. Jack Geran - 85 (10.12.1989)

14. Bryan Elliott - 84 (12.4.1930)

15. George White - 83 (24.5.1931)

16. Ian Williams - 83 (4.8.1931)

 

17. Per Tage Svensson 83 (16.10.1931)

18. Peo Soederman 82 (29.10.1932)

 

Not 100% sure the two Swedes are still with us but haven't heard any information to the contrary..

As usual tigerowl your Posts are very informative. Thank you for this.

[BOBBATH 466]

Ta tigerowl-have to add one correction. There was a post the other day re Henry Long his birthday was listed as 26.7.1927-so that would make him # 9 -after Derrick Close and before Geoff Mardon-thanks for the info though. We now know the top 19-I haven't heard that Peo Soderman has passed away, so thanx for the info.

[Guest]

My grandfather, Fred Brand, will be 90 on Feb 3rd. Here is a link to our facebook page showing a picture of him taken this week with a 1949 speedway bike we've had restored & is displayed in our showroom, the same as he rode for Great Yarmouth, Norwich & Great Britain. He rode in the 1954 World Final.

https://www.facebook.com/whbrand/photos/pcb.705399159580965/705398296247718/?type=1&theater

With acknowledgments: - http://www.speedwayatoz.co.uk/fredbrand.html

[BOBBATH 466]

Can somebody find out for me what Fred and these other"mature" guys are drinking so I can order a case for myself!!!

[Guest]

1. Cyril Roger - 93 - born 27.12.1921

2. Split Waterman - 91 (27.7.1923)

3. Arthur Payne - 90 (30.8.1924)

4. Dick Bradley - 90 (28.11.1924)

5. Fred Brand - 89 (3.2.1925)

6. Chum Taylor - 87 (4.4.1927)

7. Eric Boothroyd - 87 (26.4.1927)

8. Derick Close - 87 - (13.5.1927)

9. Geoff Mardon - 87 (24.11.1927)

10. Billy Bales - 85 (6.6.1929)

11. Olle Nygren - 85 (11.11.1929)

12. Rune Sormander - 85 (29.11.1929)

13. Jack Geran - 85 (10.12.1989)

14. Bryan Elliott - 84 (12.4.1930)

15. George White - 83 (24.5.1931)

16. Ian Williams - 83 (4.8.1931)

 

17. Per Tage Svensson 83 (16.10.1931)

18. Peo Soederman 82 (29.10.1932)

 

Not 100% sure the two Swedes are still with us but haven't heard any information to the contrary..

 

 

As usual tigerowl your Posts are very informative. Thank you for this.

 

 

Ta tigerowl-have to add one correction. There was a post the other day re Henry Long his birthday was listed as 26.7.1927-so that would make him # 9 -after Derrick Close and before Geoff Mardon-thanks for the info though. We now know the top 19-I haven't heard that Peo Soderman has passed away, so thanx for the info.

 

This is a superb update. I am too lazy to do this but how do the actual nationalities represented break down? At a quick glance, Sweden appears to lead the way.