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shippy22

Oldest Surviving Team

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I got hooked on speedway after  my first match of Rayleigh V Plymouth in 1968, 50 years ago.

As far as I am aware the Rayleigh team of Geoff Maloney, Laurie Etheridge, Mike Gardner, Colin Tucker, Dennis Mannion, Terry Stone & Graeme Smith are all still with us.   Unfortunately, many riders from that season,  have since passed away.

Are there any teams from longer ago, who are all alive today ?

 

 

 

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Imagine Belle Vue are the longest running of the presently running teams. Started in 1928 and kept running even through the Second World War (not team racing mind).

Coventry also started in 1928 but didn't run during the war years and of course sadly missed out last season. Back in the National League for 2018, albeit at Leicester.

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Your post got me thinking so did some quick Googling for the Premiership teams I wasn't aware of. Not 100% sure on accuracy but sure you'll get the gist. Will try and do the Championship ones when I get more time.

Premiership

Belle Vue (1928 to present)

King's Lynn (1965 to present but missed 1996)

Leicester (1928 to 1931, 1937, 1948 to 1962, 1968 to 1983, 2011 to present)

Poole (1948 to present but missed league racing in 1957)

Rye House (1974 to 1993, 1999 to present)

Somerset (2000 to present)

Swindon (1928 to 1929 with open meetings, team racing from 1949 to present)

Wolverhampton (1928, 1951 to 1954, 1965 to present but missed 1982/3)

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I think you have misunderstood my post.  I was just wondering if there was any other team from 50 years ago or more , where the whole team were still alive today.  

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1 hour ago, Speedball said:

Your post got me thinking so did some quick Googling for the Premiership teams I wasn't aware of. Not 100% sure on accuracy but sure you'll get the gist. Will try and do the Championship ones when I get more time.

Premiership

Belle Vue (1928 to present)

King's Lynn (1965 to present but missed 1996)

Leicester (1928 to 1931, 1937, 1948 to 1962, 1968 to 1983, 2011 to present)

Poole (1948 to present but missed league racing in 1957)

Rye House (1974 to 1993, 1999 to present)

Somerset (2000 to present)

Swindon (1928 to 1929 with open meetings, team racing from 1949 to present)

Wolverhampton (1928, 1951 to 1954, 1965 to present but missed 1982/3)

Whoosh!

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17 hours ago, Speedball said:

Your post got me thinking so did some quick Googling for the Premiership teams I wasn't aware of. Not 100% sure on accuracy but sure you'll get the gist. Will try and do the Championship ones when I get more time.

Premiership

Belle Vue (1928 to present)

King's Lynn (1965 to present but missed 1996)

Leicester (1928 to 1931, 1937, 1948 to 1962, 1968 to 1983, 2011 to present)

Poole (1948 to present but missed league racing in 1957)

Rye House (1974 to 1993, 1999 to present)

Somerset (2000 to present)

Swindon (1928 to 1929 with open meetings, team racing from 1949 to present)

Wolverhampton (1928, 1951 to 1954, 1965 to present but missed 1982/3)

I know it's not what the  initial post intended but one mustn't forget Oxford (1939 and then 1949 to 2007)

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20 hours ago, Speedball said:

Your post got me thinking so did some quick Googling for the Premiership teams I wasn't aware of. Not 100% sure on accuracy but sure you'll get the gist. Will try and do the Championship ones when I get more time.

Premiership

Belle Vue (1928 to present)

King's Lynn (1965 to present but missed 1996)

Leicester (1928 to 1931, 1937, 1948 to 1962, 1968 to 1983, 2011 to present)

Poole (1948 to present but missed league racing in 1957)

Rye House (1974 to 1993, 1999 to present)

Somerset (2000 to present)

Swindon (1928 to 1929 with open meetings, team racing from 1949 to present)

Wolverhampton (1928, 1951 to 1954, 1965 to present but missed 1982/3)

As pointed out this is a very different thread.

The one you want is here: 

 

 

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I was interested in this topic and have dug thru' my old programs. Think I've got one for you . I'm  looking at Leicester  v. Belle Vue 30.04.1968. The Leicester team wasRay Wilson, Norman Storer, Anders Michanek, George Major, John Hart, John Boulger and Vic White. Think they are all still with us -certainly hope so. Sadly only 4 of the B.V. riders that night are still with us-.

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Re previous post.-how about this. I attended a meeting in 1967 where all the riders from both teams are still with us(I think). Long Eaton v. Halifax  on 25th April 1967-almost 51 years ago. Long Eaton represented by Jim Lightfoot, Vic White, Ray Wilson, Norman Storer, Anders Michanek, John Boulger and Ian Champion and Halifax by  Dave Younghusband, Greg Kentwell, Eric Boothroyd, Bert Kingston,, Eric Boocock, Dennis Gavros and Maurie Robinson. Despite Eric Boocock scoring a max.- Long Eaton scraped  by 40-38-seemed like  a cracking meeting.

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55 minutes ago, BOBBATH said:

Re previous post.-how about this. I attended a meeting in 1967 where all the riders from both teams are still with us(I think). Long Eaton v. Halifax  on 25th April 1967-almost 51 years ago. Long Eaton represented by Jim Lightfoot, Vic White, Ray Wilson, Norman Storer, Anders Michanek, John Boulger and Ian Champion and Halifax by  Dave Younghusband, Greg Kentwell, Eric Boothroyd, Bert Kingston,, Eric Boocock, Dennis Gavros and Maurie Robinson. Despite Eric Boocock scoring a max.- Long Eaton scraped  by 40-38-seemed like  a cracking meeting.

Ian Champion has passed away.

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I was most distressed to read your post frigbo-and of course I meant no disrespect to Ian- I spoke to Ian a number of times in the sixties. He was born the same year as me  and I always liked him. Died too young from my point of view a dam shame- do any forumlanders recall Ian? another great trier and I think when Div 2 started in 1968 he may have ridden with distinction in that league. R.I.P. Ian- a great guy who should not be forgot..

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I think the Halifax championship winning team of 1966 may all still be alive - Boocock, Younghusband, Boothroyd, Roper, Gavros, Jameson and Kingston.

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10 hours ago, BOBBATH said:

- do any forum-landers recall Ian ?   another great trier and I think when Div 2 started in 1968 he may have ridden with distinction in that league. R.I.P. Ian- a great guy who should not be forgot..

Indeed,  . . Ian Champion,  Midland Juniors Riders Champion, 1966 @ Brafield, with a 15pt max .
.

http://www.speedwaychampions.com/regional-championships.php
.

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