Andy Downes 48 Posted September 2, 2019 Recently, there's been a lot of criticism and general bad karma surrounding Craig Cook - coming from many different directions. I know he has never been the most popular of riders but some of the recent vitriol has got me thinking. Who was the most unpopular/hated rider and more importantly why? I know in the past there have been many 'pantomime villains' who play to the crowd as much as anything; certainly at Crayford the mere mention of the name Kelvin Mullarkey would lead to a chorus of boos; but riders like these were those we 'loved to hate' rather than have a genuine dislike about Who do you think was an unpopular rider and why? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,935 Posted September 2, 2019 Ove Fundin. At least at Plough Lane. And he told me himself he was booed and had things thrown at him. It was because he often beat local hero Ronnie Moore. He said to me, he liked the track, but the locals didn't like him.....chuckling away, as he remembered 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,100 Posted September 2, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, iris123 said: Ove Fundin. At least at Plough Lane. And he told me himself he was booed and had things thrown at him. It was because he often beat local hero Ronnie Moore. He said to me, he liked the track, but the locals didn't like him.....chuckling away, as he remembered Ove was booed at most tracks because he always beat local heroes. Ivan Mauger suffered in the same way. I would think the most unpopular rider has been Nicki Pedersen. Edited September 2, 2019 by norbold spelling 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,242 Posted September 2, 2019 Ole Olsen 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,935 Posted September 2, 2019 1 minute ago, steve roberts said: Ole Olsen Olsen was one of the riders I was thinking of.The main one,when it came to universal unpopularity... Seem to remember he got booed when he won a world title, but couldn't recall which 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wealdstone 3,454 Posted September 2, 2019 Ove Fundin was thought of as a dirty rider at the outset , he was also deeply unpopular when riding for Wembley on their brief revival as he cried off for away meetings at short notice and alarming regularity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auntie doris 2,339 Posted September 2, 2019 Fundin, Mauger, Olsen, Pedersen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,086 Posted September 2, 2019 4 hours ago, auntie doris said: Fundin, Mauger, Olsen, Pedersen. You know, that would probably be the most named four... Funny how the most unpopular riders are all multi-world champs; says it all, really! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jenga 2,998 Posted September 2, 2019 careful how you tread ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,086 Posted September 3, 2019 1 hour ago, jenga said: careful how you tread ! Well, none of those were English! Or Australian, for that matter... Yes, I'm prodding! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted September 3, 2019 Bernt Persson, Bob Valentine and Alan Wilkinson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,242 Posted September 3, 2019 (edited) 13 minutes ago, foamfence said: Bernt Persson, Bob Valentine and Alan Wilkinson. 'Wilkie' was an extremely tough competitor but I would like to think fair. I well recall the time at Cowley when he objected to some offence and came striding out of the pits and ripped the tapes from their sockets to the boos of the crowd. However he was well respected by his rider colleagues (John Davis amongst them) and was fiiercely loyal to his team mates. His great buddy, Chris Pusey, never really got over Wilkie's accident apparently. Edited September 3, 2019 by steve roberts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sommelier 1,118 Posted September 3, 2019 Alan Grahame, could dish it out, but could not receive it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,242 Posted September 3, 2019 2 minutes ago, sommelier said: Alan Grahame, could dish it out, but could not receive it. I was never a fan of him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sommelier 1,118 Posted September 3, 2019 3 minutes ago, steve roberts said: I was never a fan of him. Nor me Steve, always will remember Wolves October 17/1975. if you now what I am talking about ? Still have nightmares about that night! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
