norbold 7,106 Posted July 29, 2014 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted July 29, 2014 R.I.P. + Ron. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
britmet 233 Posted July 29, 2014 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. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mickthemuppet 976 Posted July 29, 2014 Is it quite incredible that how dangerous this sport of Speedway is that so many live to a grand old age Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike.Butler 601 Posted July 29, 2014 maybe they got used to 'having a fall' when young and it doesnt affect them so much in later years 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ab742 0 Posted January 14, 2015 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,106 Posted January 14, 2015 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted January 14, 2015 With all the changes since the last list-anybody able to figure out the current oldest 16(+2 reserves) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigerowl 630 Posted January 15, 2015 1. Cyril Roger - 93 - born 27.12.19212. 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.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted January 15, 2015 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted January 16, 2015 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. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted January 22, 2015 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted January 22, 2015 Can somebody find out for me what Fred and these other"mature" guys are drinking so I can order a case for myself!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted March 9, 2015 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites