Guest Posted October 22, 2017 (edited) Jack Biggs' British career spanned 1947 to 1970... 24 years. And that certainly wasn't his whole career. He was killed in action in Australia in 1972 at the age of 50. Not sure when he started racing in Australia - can anyone provide the year? All the best Rob EDIT Rob Hollingworth made his league debut for Berwick in 1973. His final league season was at Boston in 2005. There was a gap in the middle. An itemised thread in regard to the speedway career of Jack Biggs: unfortunately nothing in regard to his Australian career before arriving in the UK in 1947. http://www.speedwayatoz.co.uk/pdfs/biggs%20jack.pdf Edited October 22, 2017 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,979 Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) Paul Hurry another whose career spans a fair time,started in 1991,but has had a lengthy period away due to injury etc,but is still going Quite possible with the suggested Jon Armstrong,but not found any stats David Mason made his debut for Eastbourne 'Eaglets'(probably junior racing though?) in 1993 so maybe proper debut in 1994,but no idea if he has been an ever present in a league since then..seems he didn't stay long anywhere though!!! Edited October 23, 2017 by iris123 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted October 23, 2017 Paul Hurry another whose career spans a fair time,started in 1991,but has had a lengthy period away due to injury etc,but is still going Quite possible with the suggested Jon Armstrong,but not found any stats David Mason made his debut for Eastbourne in 1993,but no idea if he has been an ever present in a league since then.. Had a chat with David Mason many years ago at Cowley. He came across as a very pleasant young man and had nothing but praise for Len Silver who had offered him a prolonged opportunity in 'The Rockets' team at the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucifer sam 3,953 Posted October 23, 2017 Another possible 'gap' - did Les Collins have a year out in 1998? 1975..Crewe..36..131..139..33..5.25..1P1975..Belle Vue..1..3..2..1..4.001976..Belle Vue..10..41..58..7..6.341976..Stoke..35..165..368..16..9.31..4F..4P1977..Belle Vue..36..149..242..51..7.87..3P1978..Belle Vue..44..181..317..45..8.00..2F..1P1979..Belle Vue..35..152..264..25..7.60..1P1980..Leicester..36..168..350..25..8.93..3F..2P1981..Leicester..47..233..476..22..8.55..1F1982..Leicester..41..191..396..23..8.77..1F1983..Leicester..41..180..353..18..8.24..5F1984..Sheffield..45..191..347..27..7.83..1F..1P1985..Sheffield..44..180..289..22..6.91..2F1986..Sheffield..11..42..65..11..7.24..1P1986..King's Lynn..2..8..4..1..2.501986..Edinburgh..44..198..493..9..10.14..12F..1P1987..Edinburgh..33..162..394.5..9..9.96..6F..2P1988..Edinburgh..36..216..475..11..9.00..4F..1P1988..Belle Vue..1..4..3..1..4.001988..Sheffield..1..5..3..0..2.401989..Edinburgh..36..196..423..20..9.04..6F..3P1990..Edinburgh..34..183..376..25..8.76..2F..1P1991..Edinburgh..24..124..260..22..9.10..1P1992..Edinburgh..24..124..259.5..15..8.85..1F..2P1993..Edinburgh..45..231..418..51..8.12..3F..3P1994..Edinburgh..44..231..431..44..8.23..3P1995..Edinburgh..42..208..296..61..6.871996..Cradley&Stoke..31..156..204..38..6.211997..Stoke..38..203..468..11..9.44..4F..2P [1998 - ??????????????]1999..Glasgow..17..91..203..7..9.23..1F2000..Glasgow..39..212..439..14..8.55..1F..2P2001..Glasgow..44..221..415..31..8.07..1F2002..Workington..11..51..90..13..8.082003..Glasgow..44..194..279..22..6.21Read more: http://wwosbackup.proboards.com/thread/624/les-collins#ixzz4wKRW14yy All the best Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest compost Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) My records are a bit dodgy regarding the 80's but how about Alan Grahame 1973-98 (26 seasons), Gordon Kennett 1970-94 (25 seasons), Barry Briggs 1952-76 (24) & George Hunter 1960-83 (24). Anyone able to confirm how many seasons Glyn Taylor rode (the first I have is 1973, the last is 2003) ? Some one asked about Peter Moore. My records show 1950-1967 and 73 + 74 so around 20. Squibby actually started his career before the war, but looks to have had the longest continuous career, with a total of 37 seasons. I know there are others, and not all of these were racing leagues, but here are some of the front-runners.Jimmy Squibb 37 (1939-1975)Steve Steve Where did Squibb rode in 1939 ? I haven't seen any references to a pre-war career for him. Thanks For Jon Armstrong I've come up with 1992-93,96-2009 & 2013 (though both my records and the ones I found on-line stop at 2009) so if still in action and rode in the missing years between 2010 and now he'd be on 24 (I think). Another rider that someone might be able to provide career details for would be Tony Atkin(s). I have 86 & 94-09 but my records stop then. Anyone ? Edited October 23, 2017 by compost Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigerowl 630 Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) These are the riders I reckon have had 20 years or more of active league racing. Pre-war years included. Apologies if I have missed anyone and queries welcome. 29 years Neil Collins, Jimmy Squibb 28 years Les Collins 27 years Ken McKinlay, Malcolm Simmons, Paul Thorp 26 years Nigel Boocock, Peter Carr, Michael Coles, Alan Grahame, Gary Havelock 25 years Martin Dixon, Paul Fry, Gordon Kennett, Alan Mogridge, Joe Screen 24 years Tony Atkin, Jack Biggs, Barry Briggs, Bruce Cribb, Colin Gooddy, George Hunter, Gordon McGregor, Scott Nicholls, Stuart Robson, Andy Smith 23 years Jon Armstrong, Mike Broadbank, James Grieves, Peter Karlsson, Leigh Lanham, David Mason, Reg Trott 22 years Leigh Adams, Mark Burrows, Sam Ermolenko, Ronnie Genz, Richard Hellsen, Roger Johns, Jason Lyons, Ivan Mauger, Les McGillivray, Ron Mountford, Shane Parker, Geoff Pymar, Norman Strachan 21 years Billy Bales, Bobby Beaton, Andre Compton, John Davis, Rob Hollingworth, John Jorgensen, Mark Lemon, Mark Loram, Cyril Maidment, Jim McMillan, Ray Morton, Wal Morton, Dave Mullett, David Norris, Alun Rossiter, Carl Stonehewer, Jim Tebby, Barry Thomas, Carl Wilkinson 20 years Martin Ashby, Dean Barker, Craig Boyce, Eric Broadbelt, Howdy Byford, Louis Carr, Brian Collins, Mark Courtney, Lee Dicken, Jimmy Gooch, Chris Harris, David Howe, Paul Hurry, Dave Jessup, Chris Louis, Kenny McKinna, Jack Parker, Mark Simmonds, Jan Staechmann, Simon Stead, Neil Street, Kelvin Tatum, Doug Templeton, Willie Templeton, Doug Wyer Edited October 23, 2017 by tigerowl 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waiheke1 4,295 Posted October 24, 2017 ANDy Smiths BL averages are remarkably mediocre for a rider who averaged over 7 in the BL as an 18 year old, was a three time British champ, was a gp regular and scored double digits in both his world final appearances. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,091 Posted October 24, 2017 Steve Where did Squibb rode in 1939 ? I haven't seen any references to a pre-war career for him. Thanks I haven't been able to find any specifics so far. It was stated on the Exeter County Ground Years website, and I believe Tony Lethbridge could have been the source of that information. If anyone is able to confirm that? Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted October 24, 2017 Glad to see this post was so popular-indeed I don't really know if Jim Squibb rode before the war-I was thinking of the years post war. Was wonderful to see other stalwarts posted as contenders e.g. Colin Goody. Enjoyed reading all the posts. One question-in 1967 (I think) I was at the Wimbledon v. Exeter meeting-there was a Golden Helmet (or maybe Silver Sash) race after the League match-Olle Nygren was the champ and defending his title against the top Exeter scorer =-the Exeter rider won against the odds- I think it was Jim Squibb but it may have ben Colin Goody-does anybody recall this and who won-maybe Norbold 'cos I think he was there and I bought him a beer(which you still owe me Norman!!) Glad to see this post was so popular-indeed I don't really know if Jim Squibb rode before the war-I was thinking of the years post war. Was wonderful to see other stalwarts posted as contenders e.g. Colin Goody. Enjoyed reading all the posts. One question-in 1967 (I think) I was at the Wimbledon v. Exeter meeting-there was a Golden Helmet (or maybe Silver Sash) race after the League match-Olle Nygren was the champ and defending his title against the top Exeter scorer =-the Exeter rider won against the odds- I think it was Jim Squibb but it may have ben Colin Goody-does anybody recall this and who won-maybe Norbold 'cos I think he was there and I bought him a beer(which you still owe me Norman!!) As a techno peasant can't figure out why my previous note was posted twice- I don't understand this modern technology and in fact have only now just started banking online-wot happened to all the humans I used to deal with!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted October 24, 2017 (edited) My records are a bit dodgy regarding the 80's but how about Alan Grahame 1973-98 (26 seasons), Gordon Kennett 1970-94 (25 seasons), Barry Briggs 1952-76 (24) & George Hunter 1960-83 (24). Anyone able to confirm how many seasons Glyn Taylor rode (the first I have is 1973, the last is 2003) ? Some one asked about Peter Moore. My records show 1950-1967 and 73 + 74 so around 20. Steve Where did Squibb rode in 1939 ? I haven't seen any references to a pre-war career for him. Thanks For Jon Armstrong I've come up with 1992-93,96-2009 & 2013 (though both my records and the ones I found on-line stop at 2009) so if still in action and rode in the missing years between 2010 and now he'd be on 24 (I think). Another rider that someone might be able to provide career details for would be Tony Atkin(s). I have 86 & 94-09 but my records stop then. Anyone ? I've checked on Tony Atkin...he rode at Newport in 2010, Stoke (2011 & 2012) and Buxton (2013 & 2014) Thanks to Alan Robertson's wonderful publication 'British Speedway Leagues 1991 - 2014' Edited October 24, 2017 by steve roberts 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,109 Posted October 24, 2017 Where did Squibb rode in 1939 ? I haven't seen any references to a pre-war career for him. On a former similar thread some years ago, a poster called speedyguy, who, as we all know no longer posts on here, said, "Indications are that Jimmy Squibb started at Southampton in 1939, where he was a protege of local riders Vic Collins and Frank Bond." It maybe that gustix can confirm this and has more information. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted October 24, 2017 On a former similar thread some years ago, a poster called speedyguy, who, as we all know no longer posts on here, said, "Indications are that Jimmy Squibb started at Southampton in 1939, where he was a protege of local riders Vic Collins and Frank Bond." It maybe that gustix can confirm this and has more information. According to Peter Oakes' 'Who's Who of World Speedway' "Jimmy originally wrote for a trial at Hackney in 1939 but war broke out and he added to his age to join up. On the resumption of speedway in 1947 after the war he rode in the first meeting at Southampton" 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,979 Posted October 24, 2017 On a former similar thread some years ago, a poster called speedyguy, who, as we all know no longer posts on here, said, "Indications are that Jimmy Squibb started at Southampton in 1939, where he was a protege of local riders Vic Collins and Frank Bond." It maybe that gustix can confirm this and has more information. You can expect a large number of pm's today,i think Norbold Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BL65 657 Posted October 24, 2017 Glad to see this post was so popular-indeed I don't really know if Jim Squibb rode before the war-I was thinking of the years post war. Was wonderful to see other stalwarts posted as contenders e.g. Colin Goody. Enjoyed reading all the posts. One question-in 1967 (I think) I was at the Wimbledon v. Exeter meeting-there was a Golden Helmet (or maybe Silver Sash) race after the League match-Olle Nygren was the champ and defending his title against the top Exeter scorer =-the Exeter rider won against the odds- I think it was Jim Squibb but it may have ben Colin Goody-does anybody recall this and who won-maybe Norbold 'cos I think he was there and I bought him a beer(which you still owe me Norman!!) It was on 2nd July 1966 that Olle Nygren was defeated in the Silver Sash following the Wimbledon-Exeter match. However, it was neither Squibb or Gooddy, but Tommy Sweetman who won the Sash. Gooddy was Exeter top scorer, having scored one point more than Sweetman in his 4 scheduled rides as well as when taking into the tactical substitute rides which both had, but it was Tommy who took part and won the race. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,109 Posted October 24, 2017 Does anybody recall this and who won-maybe Norbold 'cos I think he was there and I bought him a beer(which you still owe me Norman!!) I think it more likely you were on the beer when you posted this! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
