Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted December 4, 2016 Going back over old matches and results ten riders who come to mind who were brilliant riders great servants but for me often get forgotten about.The ten i thought of were Alan Hunt,Peter Smith( Mr Poole),Eric Boothroyd,(great promoter as well) Brian Crutcher,Jimmy Mcmillan, Trevor Hedge,Neil Street,George Hunter,Mike Broadbank Jimmy Gooch just a few. There are hundreds of others you could all name what are your memories of some of these legends. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted December 4, 2016 Going back over old matches and results ten riders who come to mind who were brilliant riders great servants but for me often get forgotten about.The ten i thought of were Alan Hunt,Peter Smith( Mr Poole),Eric Boothroyd,(great promoter as well) Brian Crutcher,Jimmy Mcmillan, Trevor Hedge,Neil Street,George Hunter,Mike Broadbank Jimmy Gooch just a few. There are hundreds of others you could all name what are your memories of some of these legends. There are many riders - what we term as journeymen - who spent years (many of them) in the sport without getting real recognition. Names that spring quickly to mind for me are Jack Winstanley, Geoff Pymar and Wal Morton. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted December 4, 2016 (edited) Going back over old matches and results ten riders who come to mind who were brilliant riders great servants but for me often get forgotten about.The ten i thought of were Alan Hunt,Peter Smith( Mr Poole),Eric Boothroyd,(great promoter as well) Brian Crutcher,Jimmy Mcmillan, Trevor Hedge,Neil Street,George Hunter,Mike Broadbank Jimmy Gooch just a few. There are hundreds of others you could all name what are your memories of some of these legends. I remember Eric Boothroyd saying that Alan Hunt (who he rode with at one time) was his favourite rider. Briggo once said the same about Crutcher, he was tipped to be a World Champion but didn't seem to ride for long. I'm sure many of us saw the other names you featured. Edited December 4, 2016 by foamfence Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted December 4, 2016 I remember Eric Boothroyd saying that Alan Hunt (who he rode with at one time) was his favourite rider. Briggo once said the same about Crutcher, he was tipped to be a World Champion but didn't seem to ride for long. I'm sure many of us saw the other names you featured.Crutcher i never see him ride but in a way he was like Arthur Forrest never stayed in the game that long. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted December 4, 2016 (edited) My unsung heroes would include the likes of Rick Timmo, Bernie Leigh (albeit one enforced year away from Reading) and Mike Keen, middle order riders who gave sterling service to just the one team. Edited December 4, 2016 by steve roberts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auntie doris 2,342 Posted December 4, 2016 Keener Dukey Munday Bouchard Hitchy David Ashby Mad Wellie etc, loyal clubmen for the Robins, mostly local lads. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted December 4, 2016 Keener Dukey Munday Bouchard Hitchy David Ashby Mad Wellie etc, loyal clubmen for the Robins, mostly local lads.Loved watching all of those also Billy Wall, Bobo Valentine, Martin Hewlett, ( bless him) all the Smarts/Chessell's and even Rosco. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted December 4, 2016 (edited) Loved watching all of those also Billy Wall, Bobo Valentine, Martin Hewlett, ( bless him) all the Smarts/Chessell's and even Rosco. I thought that Kevin Smart had an abundance of talent but injuries held him back. He was a revelation when riding for Oxford in 1982 & 83 and did himself proud whenever he was called upon when 'The Cheetahs' moved up into the British League. David, sadly, ended his life tragically. Gone but I'm sure not forgotten by those who knew him. Edited December 4, 2016 by steve roberts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fromafar 10,363 Posted December 4, 2016 Colin Caffrey for Glasgow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 467 Posted December 5, 2016 Bob Hughes and Jon Erskine of Newport-also wot about Vic White-great servants of the sport. I'd agree with Mike keen also. BTW who is the David who sadly ended his life as per Steve Roberts post above?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Doctor... 1,478 Posted December 5, 2016 Bob Hughes and Jon Erskine of Newport-also wot about Vic White-great servants of the sport. I'd agree with Mike keen also. BTW who is the David who sadly ended his life as per Steve Roberts post above?? David Smart. Swindon second string. As a Reading fan, he was an annoyingly consistent opposing rider. Took his own life (I think) a few years back. Dave Mullett was my unsung hero for what it's worth. Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted December 5, 2016 Bob Hughes and Jon Erskine of Newport-also wot about Vic White-great servants of the sport. I'd agree with Mike keen also. BTW who is the David who sadly ended his life as per Steve Roberts post above?? David Smart was a good middle order rider who rode for a succession of teams (Oxford included) and was often forced to move to other clubs purely because his average didn't fit (these sort of riders are always the ones that tend to suffer under points regimes). He became a successful and popular re-enactor of World War Two events (as did brother Kevin) but sadly took his own life (details were vague at the time). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auntie doris 2,342 Posted December 5, 2016 Used to visit the Smarts Chessells and a few others to renew their personal accident insurance, all nice guys. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,109 Posted December 5, 2016 Stan Stevens would be my unsung hero. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,984 Posted December 5, 2016 Stan Stevens would be my unsung hero. Surely you have priased him often enough for him to be a sung hero by now? What about Dave Morton.Is he a sung hero or unsung?Mostly in the shadow of his brother.The same could be said of Barney Kennett.Not that he was in Chris Mortons shadow though.Met him in Vojens some years back when Eddie was in the world U21 meeting there.Nice bloke.Barney that is Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
